Senior Global Compensation Director
IonQ
IonQ is developing the world's most powerful full-stack quantum computer based on trapped-ion technology. We are pushing past the limits of classical physics and current supercomputing technology to unlock a new era of computing. Quantum computing has the potential to impact every area of human society for the better. IonQ’s computers will soon redefine industries like medicine, materials science, finance, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cryptography, and more. IonQ is at the forefront of this technological revolution.
IonQ is leading the world toward a new era of computing—quantum computing and networking—and we are looking for a Senior Global Compensation Director to help drive this mission forward. This is a unique opportunity to join a pioneering team that is shaping the future of one of the world's most transformative technologies. In this role, you will lead our global compensation system's management and evolution. This leader will ensure our compensation practices attract, motivate, and retain top talent while maintaining internal equity and external competitiveness.
Responsibilities:
- Own IonQ’s broad-based, global compensation programs, including base pay, bonus plans, equity, and build full jobs architecture including job leveling system and pay grades.
- Lead annual compensation processes, including merit cycles, bonus planning, and salary structure reviews.
- Partner with the Chief People Officer, the Compensation Committee, and external compensation consultant on executive compensation management.
- Partner with HRBPs and business leaders to provide compensation guidance for leveling, benchmarking, equity analysis, organizational design, promotions, and role evaluations.
- Partner with Talent Acquisition to ensure job offers are internally aligned and competitive with the external market.
- Conduct regular benchmarking, market analysis, and internal pay equity assessments.
- Ensure compliance with applicable regulations (e.g., FLSA, pay transparency laws, international standards).
- Present findings and proposals to senior leadership and drive compensation decisions aligned with company goals.
- Manage compensation tools, systems, and vendors, ensuring efficient and accurate operations.
You’d be a good fit with:
- Bachelor’s degree in HR, Finance, Business, or related field
- 15+ years of progressive compensation experience
- Strong analytical and financial modeling skills; high proficiency in Excel / Sheets and compensation software
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders
- Deep understanding of compensation trends, compliance, and best practices across geographies
- Experience with equity administration including stock options and restricted stock units
- Experience creating and working with pay grades, the Radford grade structure (or similar), promotions, org transfers, range widths, setting mid-points, and compa ratios
- A history of being ingrained in a big company to have experienced at least a few cycles of compensation evolution e.g. upgrades to market, or if from a small company, experience designing a compensation system
- Prior experience working with Willis Towers Watson, Aon Radford, Mercer, Meridian, Compensia, Korn Ferry or related compensation consulting firms
- Built and delivered compensation training to employees and managers
- Past socialization of compensation changes ahead of time, bringing in key stakeholders for support and frequent follow-up communication
- Experience creating job leveling matrices
You’d be a great fit with:
- Master’s degree or Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)
- Executive compensation experience
- Sales commission plan experience
- Experience creating submissions to a public company’s Compensation Committee
- Change management expertise
- Involvement in creating the CD&A portion of a company’s proxy statement
- Participation in 401K committees
- Benefits experience
Location: This is a hybrid role based at our office located in Bothell, WA with the option to work remotely a few days a week.
Travel: Less than 25%
Job ID: 1086
The approximate base salary range for this position is $178,115 - $223,665. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, and equity.
Compensation will vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Beyond base salary, total compensation includes a variable bonus and equity component and a range of benefit options found on our career site at ionq.co/jobs. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment. Our US benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401K, unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, a home internet stipend, and pet insurance!
IonQ's HQ is located in College Park, Maryland, just outside of Washington DC. We are actively building out our recently opened manufacturing and production facility in Bothell, WA (near Seattle). Depending on the position, you may be required to be near one of our offices in College Park, Seattle, Toronto, Canada, and Basel, Switzerland. However, IonQ will expand into additional domestic and international geographies, so don’t let this stop you from applying!
At IonQ, we believe in fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers. We empower employees to thrive by fostering a culture of autonomy, productivity, and respect. We are dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.
We are committed to equity and justice. We welcome different voices and viewpoints and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
US Technical Jobs. The position you are applying for will require access to technology that is subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions. Employment with IonQ is contingent on either verifying “U.S. Person” (e.g., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum) status for export controls and government contracts work, obtaining any necessary license, and/or confirming the availability of a license exception under U.S. export controls. Please note that in the absence of confirming you are a U.S. Person for export control and government contracts work purposes, IonQ may choose not to apply for a license or decline to use a license exception (if available) for you to access export-controlled technology that may require authorization, and similarly, you may not qualify for government contracts work that requires U.S. Persons, and IonQ may decline to proceed with your application on those bases alone. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.
US Non-Technical Jobs. Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.
If you are interested in being a part of our team and mission, we encourage you to apply!