Director of Global Compensation

GitLab is an open-core software company that develops the most comprehensive AI-powered DevSecOps Platform, used by more than 100,000 organizations. Our mission is to enable everyone to contribute to and co-create the software that powers our world. When everyone can contribute, consumers become contributors, significantly accelerating human progress. Our platform unites teams and organizations, breaking down barriers and redefining what's possible in software development. Thanks to products like Duo Enterprise and Duo Agent Platform, customers get AI benefits at every stage of the SDLC.

The same principles built into our products are reflected in how our team works: we embrace AI as a core productivity multiplier, with all team members expected to incorporate AI into their daily workflows to drive efficiency, innovation, and impact. GitLab is where careers accelerate, innovation flourishes, and every voice is valued. Our high-performance culture is driven by our values and continuous knowledge exchange, enabling our team members to reach their full potential while collaborating with industry leaders to solve complex problems. Co-create the future with us as we build technology that transforms how the world develops software.

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
  
  

The base salary range for this role’s listed level is currently for residents of the United States only. This range is intended to reflect the role's base salary rate in locations throughout the US. 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, alignment with market data, and geographic location. The base salary range does not include any bonuses, equity, or benefits. 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.

United States Salary Range

$167,000—$313,000 USD

How GitLab Will Support You

• Benefits to support your health, finances, and well-being
• Flexible Paid Time Off
• Team Member Resource Groups
• Equity Compensation & Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Growth and Development Fund
• Parental leave
• Home office support
  
  

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.

Country Hiring Guidelines: GitLab hires new team members in countries around the world. All of our roles are remote, however some roles may carry specific location-based eligibility requirements. Our Talent Acquisition team can help answer any questions about location after starting the recruiting process.

Privacy Policy: Please review our Recruitment Privacy Policy. Your privacy is important to us.

GitLab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. GitLab’s policies and practices relating to recruitment, employment, career development and advancement, promotion, and retirement are based solely on merit, regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression), national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information (including family medical history), discharge status from the military, protected veteran status (which includes disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, active duty wartime or campaign badge veterans, and Armed Forces service medal veterans), or any other basis protected by law. GitLab will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. See also GitLab’s EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know during the recruiting process.