Director - Global Compensation

An overview of this role

At GitLab, we're building something extraordinary: a high-performance culture that puts our team members' experience at the heart of everything we do. As our Director of Global Compensation, you'll be instrumental in shaping how we attract, motivate, and retain world-class talent through innovative compensation strategies that align with our organizational goals and values.

This role offers the perfect blend of hands-on execution and strategy for someone who likes to build programs and a scalable compensation structure with a focus on detail. You'll design comprehensive compensation frameworks while mentoring your team and driving meaningful projects that impact team members across the globe.

What You'll Accomplish

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Execute a comprehensive compensation strategy that positions GitLab as an employer of choice while supporting our ambitious business objectives

• Manage and lead critical compensation programs including annual focal merit and promotion review cycles, semi-annual bonus program, and quarterly equity grant planning initiatives with a focus on simplification and scale

• Manage annual merit and equity budgeting process

• Support executive compensation programs and compensation committee 

• Recommend best practice policies and procedures

Innovation & Optimization

• Continuously enhance our job architecture, global compensation ranges and career progression frameworks to attract top talent and support internal mobility

• Serve as our subject matter expert in all things compensation including short-term incentive programs (bonuses) and long-term incentive compensation (equity programs)

• Analyze and optimize existing compensation programs, proposing strategic improvements that align with our global business strategy and can scale with growth

Communication & Stakeholder Partnership

• Develop compelling compensation communication and enablement strategies that help team members understand and appreciate the full value of their compensation packages

• Partner with business leaders on complex compensation decisions, from new hire packages to retention strategies and performance recognition

• Stay at the forefront of market trends, implementing creative and competitive pay practices

Growth & Team Leadership

• Guide M&A compensation strategy and execution with precision and strategic insight

• Lead and develop a team of compensation professionals, fostering their growth while ensuring their exceptional business partnership

What You Bring

Professional Excellence

• Extensive progressive experience in compensation design and leadership, preferably within rapidly scaling, global organizations

• Deep expertise in broad-based compensation with comprehensive knowledge of core compensation principles and methodologies

• Strong analytical capabilities combined with creative problem-solving skills and sound business judgment

• Strong attention to detail and compensation analysis

• Experience working through transformation and building compensation frameworks that can scale and grow in a global organization

Leadership & Collaboration

• Proven ability to thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments while maintaining high standards and attention to detail

• Demonstrated success in building consensus and driving engagement across diverse stakeholder groups

• Data-driven approach with the ability to translate complex analyses into clear, actionable recommendations

Communication & Technical Skills

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with experience presenting complex information to various audiences

• Experience in both public company and startup environments

• Experience leading remote, globally distributed teams

• Experience with Google Suite and Workday 

Please note that we welcome interest from candidates with varying levels of experience; many successful candidates do not meet every single requirement. Additionally, studies have shown that people from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to a job unless they meet every single qualification. If you're excited about this role, please apply and allow our recruiters to assess your application.

The base salary range for this role’s listed level is currently for residents of listed locations only. Grade level and salary ranges are determined through interviews and a review of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities of the applicant, equity with other team members, and alignment with market data. See more information on our benefits and equity. Sales roles are also eligible for incentive pay targeted at up to 100% of the offered base salary.

California/Colorado/Hawaii/New Jersey/New York/Washington/DC/Illinois/Minnesota pay range

$167,000—$313,000 USD