Compensation and Benefits Lead
$100k - $500k • San Francisco • FullTime
Posted 25d ago
Remote Work Policy
On-site
Employment Type
FullTime
Categories
Applied AI Engineer
About the job
Decagon is seeking its first Total Rewards leader to establish and manage the company's compensation and benefits strategy. This is a foundational role where you will design the entire total rewards architecture from scratch, including compensation structures, equity programs, and benefits. You will collaborate closely with founders, People leadership, and Finance to ensure competitive, equitable, and scalable programs that attract, reward, and retain top talent as the company grows. This role requires a strategic thinker who can bring structure and rigor to our programs while thriving in a fast-paced environment.
Responsibilities
- Design and own the total compensation philosophy, including salary bands, equity guidelines, bonus structures, and benefits programs.
- Build and maintain a job architecture and leveling framework for consistency and clarity.
- Lead annual and mid-year compensation review cycles in partnership with Finance and People Business Partners.
- Administer all equity programs, including grants, refresh cycles, employee education, and vesting communications.
- Manage benefits programs end-to-end, including open enrollment, broker relationships, and plan design.
- Serve as the internal expert on compensation and benefits compliance.
- Partner with Recruiting to create competitive offers and attract top talent.
- Develop clear communications to help employees understand and value their total compensation.
Requirements
- 6+ years of experience in compensation, benefits, or total rewards at a high-growth tech or SaaS company; leadership experience is a plus.
- Experience building or significantly rebuilding compensation structures, job architecture, and leveling frameworks, preferably in a pre-IPO environment.
- Deep expertise in equity compensation (option plans, RSUs, refresh cycles) and supporting equity education.
- Experience designing and administering competitive benefits programs (medical, dental, vision, 401(k), ancillary) and managing vendor relationships.
- Data-driven approach using market data (Pave, Levels.fyi) to inform decisions and build comp models.
- Experience partnering with Finance on headcount planning, comp accruals, and total compensation cost modeling.
- Strong communication skills to explain complex compensation concepts to various stakeholders.
- Ability to thrive in ambiguity and move quickly without sacrificing rigor.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits for you and your family
- Life Insurance and Disability Benefits
- Retirement Plan (e.g., 401K, pension)
- Parental Leave
- Fertility and family building benefits through Carrot
- Monthly stipend for wellness, lifestyle, and work-life balance
- Daily lunches and snacks in the office
- Take what you need vacation policy (subject to local requirements; UK employees receive 25 days of statutory leave)