Sr. Compensation Analyst

IN0534 Fishers, OH0523 Independence Bus Office, OH0713 NW Bancshares HQ, PA0220 Erie - 8th & State, PA0258 Bellevue, PA0445 Williamsport, PA0725 State College Business Office

Job Description

This role is responsible for supporting design, administration, compliance, communication, and governance of equity and executive compensation programs. This role plays a key part in ensuring equity and executive compensation plan administration aligns with regulatory requirements, plan rules and delegated committee authority, maintaining related policies and procedures, managing equity plan operations including ESPP, supporting Compensation Committee materials, and delivering accurate, timely analysis and reporting. This position partners closely with HR Partners, Northwest executives and managers, Legal, Finance, Payroll, internal and external auditors, and external vendors to deliver competitive, compliant, and shareholder-aligned equity and executive compensation programs.

Essential Functions

Administer equity compensation programs, including RSUs, PSUs, RSAs, and stock options

Oversee day-to-day operations of equity plans: grants, vesting, exercises, distributions, and terminations

Partner with stock plan administrators and external vendors to ensure accurate recordkeeping and participant support

Maintain equity data integrity across systems (e.g., Workday and Fidelity stock plan administration platform)

Administer ESPP program, including enrollment cycles, contribution processing, purchase execution, and participant communications

Ensure plan compliance with IRS and SEC regulations (e.g., Section 423 requirements)

Monitor participation levels and analyze plan effectiveness

Work with Payroll and Finance to ensure accurate deductions, purchase funding, refunds, payroll account activity, general ledger reconciliation, and related financial controls

Support the design and delivery of executive compensation programs, including annual and long-term incentives

Prepare Compensation Committee materials, including analysis, exhibits, and presentation decks

Assist with modeling pay scenarios, data analytics, dilution, burn rate, share usage modeling, walk away value analysis, etc.

Support executive compensation disclosures (e.g., proxy/CD&A tables, equity tables)

Serve as the point of contact for employee inquiries related to equity awards and ESPP

Develop and deliver communications, educational materials, and training sessions to improve employee understanding of equity compensation

Provide guidance on transactions, tax implications (at a high level), and platform navigation

Partner with HR Business Partners, Northwest executives, and managers to educate stakeholders on equity and executive compensation program enhancements, tools, processes, and new technology

Resolve associate questions and issues by interpreting applicable equity and executive compensation policies, procedures, plan provisions, and administrative guidelines

Ensure compliance with U.S. regulatory requirements (e.g., SEC reporting, Section 16, Section 409A, IRC 162(m), SOX, etc.)

Support preparation and filing of Forms 3, 4, and 5

Assist in maintaining insider trading compliance processes, including blackout periods and pre-clearances

Support internal and external audits by providing documentation and reports

Perform SOX control procedures and maintain meticulous document trails

Partner with Legal on equity plan documents and amendments

Maintain established equity and executive compensation policies, procedures, guidelines, objectives, quality standards, and related governance documentation

Conduct audits to support equity compensation data accuracy, executive compensation governance, internal equity considerations, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations

Identify, research, and monitor changes in equity and executive compensation laws and regulations; summarize impacts and recommend appropriate next actions

Ensure equity and executive compensation plan administration is consistent with plan documents, committee approvals, delegated authority, and internal governance requirements

Reporting & Analytics

Prepare recurring and ad hoc reports (e.g., equity overhang, run rate, executive pay benchmarking)

Support financial reporting requirements (ASC 718 stock-based compensation expense) in partnership with Finance

Partner with Finance on equity expense tracking, accruals, reconciliations between the equity administration system, payroll accounts, and the general ledger

Support year-end equity and executive compensation reporting processes, including W-2, cost basis, taxable income, withholding, and related participant or vendor reporting

Analyze market data to inform equity and executive compensation strategies

Develop dashboards and insights for senior leadership

Identify and implement improvements to equity and executive compensation processes

Support system implementations or enhancements (e.g., stock plan platforms, reporting tools)

Leverage generative AI tools strategically to accelerate learning and enhance operational efficiency

Document procedures and maintain strong internal controls

Ensure compliance with Northwest’s policies and procedures, and Federal/State regulations

Navigate Microsoft Office Software, computer applications, and software specific to the department in order to maximize technology tools and gain efficiency

Work as part of a team

Work with on-site equipment

Education and Experience preferred

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Business, or related field

5 - 6 years of experience in equity compensation, executive compensation, or related field

5 - 6 years public Company experience

5 - 6 years working with U.S. equity compensation regulations and reporting requirements

5 - 6 years of experience administering ESPP programs, equity administration systems (e.g. Fidelity, E*TRADE, Shareworks, Carta)

#LI-EK1