Compensation Director (Hybrid)

Who We Are

Join a team that puts its People First! Since 1889, First American (NYSE: FAF) has held an unwavering belief in its people. They are passionate about what they do, and we are equally passionate about fostering an environment where all feel welcome, supported, and empowered to be innovative and reach their full potential. Our inclusive, people-first culture has earned our company numerous accolades, including being named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for eight consecutive years. We have also earned awards as a best place to work for women, diversity and LGBTQ+ employees, and have been included on more than 50 regional best places to work lists. First American will always strive to be a great place to work, for all. For more information, please visit

What We Do

First American is seeking a Compensation Director to join our Total Rewards team. This position influences the strategy and delivery of pay programs and provides creative and effective guidance to our management team, HR Business Partner organization, other COEs and our HR Shared Services groups. The role leads a team of compensation professionals in the design, implementation, and administration of compensation programs for all levels within the company. Programs may include base pay structures, sales incentives, short- and long-term incentive plans, stock incentive plans, employee stock purchase program, employee recognition programs and executive benefit programs

This role is hybrid 3 days per week onsite in Santa Ana, CA.

How You'll Contribute:

• Lead the design of effective compensation and executive benefit program solutions that are externally competitive, internally equitable, and enhance our ability to drive performance and recruit, retain, and promote employee engagement.
• Partner with HR Business Partners and business leaders to bring thought leadership and influence in all areas of compensation.
• Manage our team of compensation professionals that deliver expertise and best practice solutions to the many business groups we support.
• Manage all aspects of salary and recognition programs including annual salary planning, structures, geographic impact, market pricing, the creation of job profiles, fair pay and recognition programs.
• Manage all aspects of the annual incentive plan including goal setting, plan management, reporting and the annual award process.
• Manage stock plan administration including maintaining grant guidelines, making grant recommendations, record-keeping, grants & distributions. Support financial and legal reporting, internal reporting, and all aspects of regulatory compliance.
• Manage non-qualified deferred compensation programs including working with external vendors, annual enrollment, employee communications, maintaining plan documents, regulatory compliance, and managing COLI policies.
• Prepare reports and presentations of meeting materials for the Board Compensation Committee including sections of the proxy statement and other publicly filed documents.
• Drive consistency in compensation planning, program administration, program automation, and analytics/reporting.
• Lead, participate, and contribute to various other projects and initiatives pertaining to compensation and/or overall total reward programs and practices.
• Stay current on compensation-related legislation and trends and ensure compliance with applicable statutory requirements regarding employee compensation.
• Design and develop effective communication strategies and materials.
• Provide compensation and executive benefit support for mergers and acquisitions and divestitures.

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, Finance or Accounting or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in compensation, including leading teams.
• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) preferred.
• Expertise in broad-based compensation design, salary and incentive plan design and administration, sales incentive, equity compensation, and executive pay.
• Demonstrated success in a collaborative, dynamic HR environment requiring significant expertise and experience in total rewards management.
• Strong knowledge of pertinent laws and regulations.
Robust modeling and analytical skills with the ability to use data in building compensation plans reconciled with budgets and forecasts
• Strong analytical, project management, problem-solving and communication skills
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Computer Skills: Workday, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. Experience with Fidelity stock plan services and CompAnalyst preferred.

Pay Range: $180,000- $220,000

This hiring range is a reasonable estimate of the base pay range for this position at the time of posting. Pay is based on a number of factors which may include job-related knowledge, skills, experience, business requirements and geographic location.

What We Offer

By choice, we don't simply accept individuality - we embrace it, we support it, and we thrive on it! Our People First Culture celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion not simply because it's the right thing to do, but also because it's the key to our success. We are proud to foster an authentic and inclusive workplace For All. You are free and encouraged to bring your entire, unique self to work. First American is an equal opportunity employer in every sense of the term.

Based on eligibility, First American offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401k, PTO/paid sick leave and other great benefits like an employee stock purchase plan.