Senior Compensation & Benefits Manager (Spain)

🎯 About the Role:

As the Compensation & Benefits Manager for Spain, we are looking for a Subject Matter Expert (SME) responsible for the comprehensive local execution and administration of all Group-wide Compensation and Reward programs. This role has a dual purpose:

• Ensuring local compliance and effectiveness of all C&B policies, with a critical focus on the complex administration of international assignments and shadow payrolls.
• Serving as the critical link between the Spanish entity and the Global C&B team, translating local needs and successfully implementing global directives.

This position demands robust technical C&B skills, meticulous execution, and the gravitas required to manage high-stakes communication with the Group and external tax/mobility providers.

Key Challenges & Responsibilities:

1 - Global Mobility & Payroll Specialization:

• Shadow Payroll Management: Oversee the accurate setup and administration of Shadow Payrolls for all inbound and outbound assignees, coordinating with the Global Mobility team and external providers to ensure correct tax and social security withholdings.
• Tax Compliance for Assignees: Manage the compensation and tax implications related to international assignments, including the preparation of data for tax equalization and reporting to ensure the company and assignees remain compliant in both host and home countries.
• Mobility Packages: Manage the local C&B elements for employees on international assignment into and out of Spain, ensuring local delivery of relocation, housing, and other mobility benefits as per Group policy.

2 - Local Program Execution & Complex Rewards

• Advanced Administration: Lead the local execution of complex Group reward elements beyond Business As Usual (BAU), including the accurate administration and calculation of Long-Term (LTI) and Short-Term Incentive (STI) bonus plans, and the local communication of Employee Share/Stock plans.
• Annual Review Cycle: Manage the complete annual salary review process for Spain, utilizing compensation benchmarks and ensuring accurate budget reconciliation and data submission to the Group systems.
• Policy Implementation: Lead the application of all global compensation policies, salary structures, and grading systems within the Spanish entity.

3 - Global Coordination & Strategic Interlocution

• Global Alignment: Act as the focal point and primary representative for the Spanish entity on all Group-level C&B and Mobility discussions.
• Effective Gravitas: Utilize strong communication skills and gravitas to clearly articulate Spain's unique labor market and regulatory needs to the Global C&B team, influencing effective local solutions.
• Language Proficiency: Ensure seamless collaboration with the Global team through fluent English communication.

Essential Skills & Experience Requirements:

• Compensation & Benefits Expertise: Proven experience (minimum 10 years) administering complex reward topics, including the execution of LTI/STI plans, equity schemes, and running annual compensation review cycles.
• Global Mobility Expertise (Local View): Mandatory hands-on experience managing the Compensation and Payroll side of international assignments, specifically including the setup and management of shadow payrolls and understanding the tax/social security implications for assignees.
• International Exposure: Extensive experience working within a multinational company structure, demonstrating the ability to interpret and apply global policies to a local context.
• Language Proficiency: Fluent written and spoken English is mandatory for high-level communication and reporting with the Group.
• Gravitas and Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with senior management and global counterparts, possessing the gravitas to represent the entity and defend local requirements authoritatively.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge of Spanish labor, tax, and social security legislation related to compensation and international assignees.
• Experience with a global HRIS system (e.g., Workday, SAP SuccessFactors).