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Director Compensation Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Director, Compensation

Reston, VA · On-site

$130K - $177K/yr

The Director, Compensation serves as a strategic advisor to HR and business leadership, ensuring compensation programs support business growth, talent strategy, compliance requirements, and ...

Director, Compensation

Mclean, VA · Hybrid

$97K - $224K/yr

Overview PenFed is hiring a (Hybrid) Director, Compensation at our Tysons, Virginia location. The primary purpose of this role is to lead PenFed's compensation function, including the design ...

Director, Compensation

Reston, VA

$130K - $177K/yr

The Director, Compensation serves as a strategic advisor to HR and business leadership, ensuring compensation programs support business growth, talent strategy, compliance requirements, and ...

Dir, Compensation

Herndon, VA · On-site

$128K - $175K/yr

As the recognized global standard for project-based businesses, Deltek delivers software and information solutions to help organizations achieve their purpose. Our market leadership stems from the ...

Director, Global Compensation

Herndon, VA · On-site

$128K - $175K/yr

... Director of Compensation , you will shape and lead our global pay strategy, balancing market competitiveness, internal equity, and business performance. This is a high-impact, hands-on leadership ...

Located in vibrant Arlington, Virginia, and reporting to the Senior Director, People Operations ... Responsibilities * Support compensation process design, market analysis, and budgeting across ...

Direct, hands-on experience with Carta and a deep understanding of end-to-end equity management are ... Compensation Architecture: Design, implement, and refine competitive salary structures, job ...

Compensation Analyst

Arlington, VA · On-site

$76K - $97K/yr

Located in vibrant Arlington, Virginia, and reporting to the Senior Director, People Operations ... Responsibilities * Support compensation process design, market analysis, and budgeting across ...

Compensation Analyst

Arlington, VA · On-site

$76K - $97K/yr

Located in vibrant Arlington, Virginia, and reporting to the Senior Director, People Operations ... Responsibilities * Support compensation process design, market analysis, and budgeting across ...

Compensation Consultant

Herndon, VA · On-site

$72 - $92/hr

Direct, hands-on experience with Carta and a deep understanding of end-to-end equity management are ... Compensation Architecture: Design, implement, and refine competitive salary structures, job ...

Compensation & Incentives Lead

Tysons, VA · On-site

$126K - $172K/yr

Overview LMI is seeking a strategic Compensation & Incentives Lead to shape the future of how we reward, motivate, and retain talent in a rapidly evolving technology and government solution platform ...

Compensation & Incentives Lead

Tysons, VA · On-site

$126K - $172K/yr

LMI is seeking a strategic Compensation & Incentives Lead to shape the future of how we reward, motivate, and retain talent in a rapidly evolving technology and government solution platform ...

Compensation & Incentives Lead

Tysons, VA

$126K - $172K/yr

Overview LMI is seeking a strategic Compensation & Incentives Lead to shape the future of how we reward, motivate, and retain talent in a rapidly evolving technology and government solution platform ...

Director of Human Resources and Training Dotted Line to: Controller Management Duties: None Compensation: $90,000-$105,000 annually Position Overview The Senior Compensation Specialist is a key ...

Director of Human Resources and Training Dotted Line to: Controller Management Duties: None Compensation: $90,000-$105,000 annually Position Overview The Senior Compensation Specialist is a key ...

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Showing results 1-20

Director Compensation information

See Virginia salary details

$30.2K

$145.8K

$199.8K

How much do director compensation jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for director compensation in Virginia is $145,769.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,900.00 and $169,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Director Compensation vs HR Manager Compensation?

AspectDirector CompensationHR Manager Compensation
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, extensive experience, possibly certifications like CCP or CECPBachelor's degree, HR certifications like SHRM-CP or PHR often preferred
Work EnvironmentStrategic, executive-level, often involved in high-level decision makingOperational, team-focused, involved in daily HR activities
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in large corporations, finance, and consulting firmsWidespread across industries, especially in mid-sized and large companies

While both roles involve compensation management, the Director Compensation role is more strategic and senior, focusing on designing and overseeing compensation programs at an executive level. HR Managers handle day-to-day HR functions, including employee relations and benefits administration. The two roles differ mainly in scope, responsibility, and required experience.

What does a director of compensation do?

A Director of Compensation is responsible for designing, overseeing, and managing an organization’s compensation programs, including salaries, bonuses, and benefits. They analyze market trends to ensure pay practices are competitive and compliant with laws and regulations. This role often involves collaborating with senior leadership to develop strategies that attract, motivate, and retain employees while ensuring internal equity. Additionally, Directors of Compensation may supervise a team and manage compensation-related projects or initiatives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of compensation?

To thrive as a Director of Compensation, you need expertise in compensation strategy, data analysis, and compliance, typically supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in human resources, business, or a related field. Familiarity with HRIS systems, compensation survey tools, and relevant certifications like CCP (Certified Compensation Professional) is highly valuable. Strong leadership, analytical thinking, and effective communication are essential soft skills for influencing decision-makers and managing cross-functional projects. These skills ensure competitive, equitable pay practices that support talent attraction, retention, and organizational goals.

How does a director of compensation typically collaborate with other departments to ensure alignment with organizational goals?

A Director of Compensation regularly partners with HR, finance, and executive leadership to design and implement pay structures that support the company’s strategic objectives. This role often involves analyzing market data, consulting with department heads about talent needs, and ensuring compensation programs are both competitive and equitable. Effective collaboration is key, as compensation strategies must align with budget constraints, regulatory requirements, and broader talent management initiatives. Regular cross-functional meetings and communication are essential to address evolving business priorities and maintain internal equity.
What are the most commonly searched types of Compensation jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Compensation jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Director Compensation jobs in Virginia? For Director Compensation jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Compensation jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Director Compensation jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Director Compensation jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Director Compensation job openings:
Infographic showing various Director Compensation job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,769 per year, or $70.1 per hour.

Director, Compensation

Leidos

Reston, VA • On-site

$130K - $177K/yr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


Leidos rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 151 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

76th of 482 rated business services


Job description

Leads the strategy, design, governance, and execution of enterprise-wide compensation programs in a highly matrixed, complex organization. This role is responsible for end-to-end compensation operations, including annual pay planning, incentive programs, job architecture, market benchmarking, and compensation systems administration with a strong emphasis on Workday optimization and operational excellence. The Director, Compensation serves as a strategic advisor to HR and business leadership, ensuring compensation programs support business growth, talent strategy, compliance requirements, and organizational effectiveness across a large-scale enterprise environment.
Responsibilities
Global Compensation Strategy
  • Lead the development and execution of enterprise compensation strategies aligned with business objectives, workforce planning, and talent priorities
  • Direct all compensation operations and core programs, including annual merit planning, promotions, bonus administration, market pricing, salary structures, off-cycle compensation actions, M&A due-diligence and harmonization
  • Oversee enterprise-wide compensation governance to ensure consistency, scalability, competitiveness, and compliance across business units and functions
  • Serve as the organization's subject matter expert on compensation programs, including short-term incentive plans, recognition programs, and specialized compensation structures
  • Partner with executive leadership and HR stakeholders to support compensation decision-making for key talent, critical roles, and organizational changes
  • Support executive compensation processes and collaborate with senior leadership on compensation committee materials, analyses, and reporting as needed

Job Architecture & Organizational Effectiveness
  • Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing evolution of the company's job architecture, leveling framework, and career progression models
  • Ensure alignment between compensation structures, job families, career paths, and workforce planning initiatives
  • Drive consistency and governance across job evaluations, leveling decisions, and organizational design changes in a highly matrixed environment
  • Partner with Talent Acquisition, HR Business Partners, Total Rewards Partners and Enablement and business leaders to support competitive and equitable hiring and internal mobility practices

Compensation Operations & Systems
  • Own compensation systems strategy and administration with deep operational expertise in Workday compensation modules and related HR technologies
  • Lead system configuration, process optimization, testing, reporting, and enhancements related to compensation programs and annual pay cycles
  • Partner with HRIS, Finance, Payroll, and HR System teams to ensure data integrity, process efficiency, and scalable compensation operations
  • Develop and maintain dashboards, analytics, and reporting capabilities to support business insights and compensation governance
  • Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local pay regulations, pay transparency requirements, and audit standards

Market Intelligence & Analytics
  • Analyze market trends, industry benchmarks, and competitive pay practices to provide strategic recommendations to leadership
  • Conduct complex compensation analyses to support workforce planning, retention strategies, pay equity initiatives, and business transformation efforts
  • Translate data and insights into clear, actionable recommendations for senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders
  • Lead compensation-related due diligence and integration support for mergers, acquisitions, and organizational restructuring initiatives

Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership
  • Build strong partnerships across HR, Finance, Legal, Talent Acquisition, and business leadership teams to drive effective compensation outcomes
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing compensation team, fostering operational excellence, strategic thinking, and strong internal client support
  • Influence and drive alignment across diverse stakeholder groups within a highly collaborative and matrixed enterprise environment
  • Develop communication strategies and materials that help employees and leaders understand compensation programs and pay decisions

Qualifications
Required Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field; advanced degree preferred combined with 12+ years of related experience.
  • Extensive progressive compensation experience, including leadership responsibility within large, complex, highly matrixed organizations
  • Deep expertise in compensation operations, annual pay planning, job architecture, salary administration, and incentive programs
  • Strong experience leading compensation programs in enterprise environments with complex organizational structures and multiple business units
  • Hands-on experience administering and optimizing compensation processes within Workday
  • Demonstrated success leading compensation transformations, process improvements, and scalable program implementations
  • Experience supporting executive compensation processes and senior leadership decision-making

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to synthesize large data sets into strategic recommendations
  • Deep understanding of compensation regulations, market practices, and pay equity principles
  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders
  • Proven ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, dynamic environments while managing competing priorities
  • Strong business acumen and ability to align compensation strategy with organizational objectives
  • Demonstrated leadership experience managing and developing high-performing teams
  • Advanced proficiency in compensation analytics, reporting tools (Microsoft Excel and Power BI)

Preferred Qualifications
  • Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation
  • Experience within government contracting, defense, aerospace, engineering, or similarly complex regulated industries
  • Experience supporting geographically dispersed and hybrid workforces
  • Familiarity with compensation practices related to cleared talent populations and technical labor markets

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
July 23, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $139,100.00 - $251,450.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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