Head of Compensation (Palo Alto)

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies

Palo Alto, CA 94301

United States

Posted July 1, 2025

{CONTRACTOR,FULL_TIME,PART_TIME,INTERN}

Valid until July 31, 2025

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Job Description

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About Us
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture between two industry leaders with a clear vision for automotive’s next chapter. From operating systems to zonal controllers to cloud and connectivity solutions, we’re addressing the challenges of electric vehicles through technology that will set the standards for software-defined vehicles around the world.
The road to the future is uncharted. By combining our expertise across connectivity, AI, security and more, we’ll map a new way forward. Working together, we’ll create a future that’s more connected, more intelligent, more sustainable for everyone.
Role Summary
We are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Director of Compensation to build and lead our compensation strategy for a newly formed joint venture that’s scaling at speed. This is a unique opportunity to design a world-class compensation function from the ground up—balancing the needs of a fast-growing global workforce with the operational complexity of a joint venture environment.
You’ll be a strategic partner to leadership and HR peers, responsible for crafting competitive, equitable, and scalable compensation programs that align with our values, drive performance, and support international growth.This role is located in our Palo Alto, California Office and reports directly to the Head of People.
Responsibilities
Compensation Strategy & Design

Develop and continuously evolve our global compensation philosophy, frameworks, and policies aligned with our business objectives and culture.
Design and manage base, bonus, and equity programs, tailored for a global and high-tech environment.
Ensure compensation programs are competitive, equitable, and scalable.

Global Compensation

Design and administer global compensation structures including location-specific salary bands and job leveling frameworks.
Support local customization while maintaining consistency in global compensation standards.

Executive & Equity Compensation

Partner with leadership and the board (as needed) on executive compensation matters.
Oversee the design, administration and education around our equity programs (refreshers, new grants).

Governance, Compliance & Analytics

Lead annual planning compensation cycles including benchmarking, market adjustments, and promotions.
Manage compensation tools and data integrity in partnership with People Operations.
Partner with Finance and Legal to ensure compensation is compliant with global laws and regulations, including tax and equity requirements.
Drive data-informed decisions through regular analytics, forecasting, and compensation reporting.

Business & Stakeholder Partnership

Advise leaders, managers, and HR on compensation strategy, pay decisions, and best practices.
Partner with Talent Acquisition to ensure competitive and aligned offer packages.

Team Leadership

Build and lead a high-performing compensation team.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, curiosity, and service orientation.

Qualifications

10+ years of progressive experience in compensation, including global compensation program leadership.
Proven success in a fast-paced, scaling organization—ideally within a joint venture, tech, or multinational context.
Deep expertise in compensation benchmarking, job architecture, benefits design, and equity programs including familiarity with Workday, Radford, or similar tools.
Skilled at working across cultures, regions, and regulatory environments.
Analytical, systems-oriented, and highly collaborative.
Excellent communication and executive presence.

Bonus Points

Experience building a compensation function from scratch or significantly transforming an existing one.
Certification in compensation (CCP) or benefits (CEBS).

Pay Disclosure
Salary Range for Palo Alto, California Based Applicants $218800 - $312500 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).
Benefits Summary: Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Full Time Employee coverage is effective on the first day of employment. Part-Time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment.
Equal Opportunity
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are also committed to ensuring compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws regarding citizenship and immigration status.
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at
Candidate Data Privacy
Rivian and VW Group Technologies (“Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies”) may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies affiliates; and (iii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies’ service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.
Please see our Candidate Data Privacy Notice (English) and Candidate Data Privacy Notice (Serbian) for more information.
Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.