Lots of tech companies disrupt. But, many fail when they try to scale. We're different. CockroachDB makes it easier for companies to build and scale apps. This is how and why we're helping some of the most innovative companies on the planet. We tackle problems head-on and focus on solutions that create lasting impact.

The Director of Compensation and Equity is a high-impact individual contributor role responsible for designing and executing Cockroach Labs' compensation strategy across base salary, variable pay, and equity. Reporting to the Sr. Director, People Operations & Development, this person will serve as the company's subject matter expert on compensation and equity partnering directly with senior leaders, HR Business Partners, and front-line managers to ensure our compensation programs are competitive, equitable, and built to scale.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own the design and ongoing refinement of Cockroach Labs' global compensation philosophy, salary structures, and pay bands across all functions and levels, and lead annual review cycles -- merit, promotion, and equity refresh -- with rigor and consistency

• Evaluate the effectiveness of incentive and variable pay programs, surfacing recommendations grounded in market data and business outcomes

• Conduct and interpret market benchmarking using established survey sources (e.g., Radford, Pave, Carta), translating data into clear, actionable recommendations for leadership

• Partner with Finance on compensation budget planning, headcount modeling, and compensation expense forecasting

• Design and administer Cockroach Labs' equity compensation programs -- including option and RSU plan design, grant guidelines, and refresh frameworks -- ensuring programs remain competitive and aligned to company stage, employee expectations, and potential liquidity events

• Partner with Legal, Finance, and outside counsel on equity plan governance, 409A valuations, and regulatory compliance

• Ensure employees and managers understand the value of their equity and can speak to it clearly

• Support the development of Compensation Committee materials and contribute to executive compensation decisions in partnership with the Sr. Director, CPO, CFO, and Legal

• Partner on job architecture and leveling frameworks to ensure they remain competitive and internally equitable

• Leverage AI-powered tools and emerging compensation technology to scale analytical work, build repeatable processes, and make compensation expertise accessible across the organization.

About You:

• 8 to 12+ years of experience in compensation, with a strong concentration in total cash and equity compensation at high-growth, global technology companies

• Deep expertise in equity program design at a growth-stage technology company, including hands-on experience with option types (ISOs, NSOs), RSUs, vesting structures, 409A implications, and secondary market considerations

• Experience designing and evolving bonus and variable compensation programs across functions, including sales compensation structures such as OTE, commission mechanics, and accelerators.

• Deep proficiency in market benchmarking methodologies and survey tools (Radford, Mercer, Carta, Pave, or comparable), with the ability to model compensation scenarios, cost impact analyses, and budget projections

• Ability to translate and communicate complex compensation concepts into clear, plain language for managers, recruiters, HRBPs, and employees at every level.

• Demonstrated daily use of AI tools to improve the speed and quality of compensation work , including analysis, modeling, and documentation , with a consistent practice of reviewing, refining, and owning all AI-assisted output.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field required; CCP or CEP designation is a strong plus

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Reporting to the Director of Total Rewards, you will be a critical partner in building and maintaining competitive compensation programs, equity administration, benefits analysis, and delivering data-driven insights that inform our people strategy.

This is a unique opportunity to build something meaningful at a company that is literally changing how the world connects.

Total Rewards

• Support the design, implementation, and administration of Total Reward programs including base pay, variable pay, equity, benefits and wellness
• Conduct market pricing and benchmarking using survey data (Radford, Pave, Carta, etc.) to ensure competitive positioning
• Assist in maintaining and updating salary structures, job architecture, and pay bands across the organization
• Partner with Recruiting and HRBPs to support offer development and compensation recommendations
• Assist in the administration and communication of equity programs including stock option grants, refresh cycles, and vesting schedules
• Support annual compensation cycles including merit increases, bonus payouts, and equity refresh programs
• Help develop and maintain Total Rewards communications that educate employees on the full value of their compensation package

People Analytics

• Leverage our suite of analytics to extract insights and tell stories with our data. Partnering with our SVP of People you will create the views and slides that our executives will use to better understand the workforce.
• Conduct ad hoc data analysis to support People team decisions and business partner requests
• Develop and maintain equity budget tracking including forecast vs. actual share utilization by grant type
• Analyze compensation equity and pay parity across the organization and surface insights to leadership
• Partner with Finance on headcount planning and workforce cost modeling
• Support the design and analysis of employee surveys and engagement data
• Present data insights in clear, compelling formats for PeopleTeam leadership

Requirements

• 3-5 years of experience in Total Rewards, Compensation, or People Analytics
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills , you are comfortable working with large datasets and drawing meaningful conclusions
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets including complex formulas, nested if statements, and pivot tables
• Experience with compensation benchmarking tools such as Radford, Mercer, Carta, or similar
• Working knowledge of equity compensation including stock options, RSUs, vesting schedules, and 409A valuations
• Strong attention to detail and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills , able to translate complex data into clear narratives
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, Statistics, or related field

Bonus

• Experience with HRIS systems such as Workday, ADP, or Paylocity
• Proficiency in data visualization tools such as Tableau, Looker, or People Insights
• Familiarity with SQL or Python for data analysis
• Experience working in a high-growth startup or aerospace/technology company
• Knowledge of benefits administration and vendor management
• Experience supporting executive compensation programs

What we offer

All our positions offer a compensation package that includes equity and robust benefits. Base pay is just one component of Astranis’s total rewards package. Your compensation also includes a significant equity package via incentive stock options, high-quality company-subsidized healthcare, disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement planning, flexible PTO, and free on-site catered meals. Astranis pay ranges are informed and defined through professional-grade salary surveys and compensation data sources. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, and the level and scope of the position.

Base Salary $132,000-$158,000 USD

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