Director of Compensation

Company Description

At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that. Our technology helped people put a man on the moon.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest growth organizations in the world. From energizing the most competitive gaming platforms, to enabling systems to make cities safer and cars smarter and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Binge-watch any shows, use social media or shop online lately? You’ll find Western Digital supporting the storage infrastructure behind many of these platforms. And, that flash memory card that captures and preserves your most precious moments? That’s us, too.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, storage devices and platforms for business and consumers alike. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital®, G-Technology™, SanDisk® and WD® brands.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. It’s You & Western Digital. Together, we’re the next BIG thing in data.

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Director of Compensation leads the strategic design and operational execution of the company’s compensation programs. This role ensures that all compensation practices—including base pay, variable pay, equity, job architecture, and market analysis—are competitive, compliant, scalable, and aligned with the company’s strategic goals. The Director partners closely with senior HR leaders and business executives, advising on compensation strategies to attract, retain, and motivate top talent.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Partnership

• Develop and drive a holistic compensation strategy that supports business objectives and employee experience.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and HR Business Partners on compensation philosophy, pay decisions, and organizational design.

• Provide executive-level consultation on compensation-related issues including workforce structure, retention risks, and leadership transitions.

Compensation Operations Ownership

• Lead the design and execution of compensation operations, including:

• Job architecture and leveling frameworks

• Annual compensation cycles (merit, bonus, equity)

• Global market benchmarking and survey participation

• Compensation tools and systems (e.g., HRIS, comp planning platforms)

• Ensure operational excellence, accuracy, and scalability in all compensation processes.

Governance, Compliance & Risk Mitigation

• Own compensation governance, including policies, process documentation, and approval workflows.

• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations (FLSA, pay equity, transparency laws, etc.).

• Partner with Legal, HR, and Finance on audit support, reporting, and risk mitigation related to compensation practices.

Analytics & Insights

• In partnership with systems & analytics leader, oversee compensation analytics and reporting to inform decision-making across the organization.

• Monitor compensation trends and market intelligence; provide recommendations to maintain competitive positioning.

• Use data to identify pay equity issues, workforce cost trends, and reward optimization opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business, or related field; Master’s or MBA preferred.

• CCP (Certified Compensation Professional) certification highly preferred.

• 10+ years of progressive compensation experience, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership role.

• Experience managing compensation operations.

• Strong analytical, project management, and strategic thinking skills.

• Proficiency with compensation tools and platforms (e.g., Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, MarketPay).

• Excellent communication and influencing skills; proven ability to work with senior leadership.

Preferred Attributes:

• Experience supporting high-growth, matrixed, or global organizations.

• Ability to lead through ambiguity and build scalable processes in dynamic environments.

Additional Information

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non-discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf) poster.

Western Digital thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.

Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at jobs.accommodations@wdc.com to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

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