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Job Description

Summary

The Director, Compensation plays a strategic role in the support the support the design, implementation, and administration of our global compensation programs. This position plays a critical part in administering the AV total rewards strategy, ensuring programs are competitive, equitable, and aligned with business objectives. This position acts as a trusted advisor to the VP, Total Rewards, driving compensation strategy and overseeing all aspects of base pay, variable incentives, equity programs, and retention awards.

Position Responsibilities

• Develop, refine, and execute compensation strategies that align with the company’s business and people objectives.
• Support the design, implementation, and administration of base salary structures, short- and long-term incentive plans, equity programs, and retention/recognition awards.
• Oversee annual and mid-year compensation planning processes, including merit increases, promotions, and bonus cycles.
• Conduct regular market analyses to ensure compensation practices remain competitive and aligned with industry benchmarks.
• Partner with Benefits, Talent Development, and HR Operations to create a seamless Total Rewards experience for employees.
• Ensure compensation strategies are fully integrated with performance management, talent acquisition, and career development programs.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including California pay transparency laws and other international pay guidelines where applicable.
• Maintain strong governance over job architecture, pay equity processes, and compensation policy adherence.
• Streamline and enhance compensation processes to drive scalability and efficiency.
• Leverage data, analytics, and technology to improve decision-making, reporting, and transparency.
• Lead compensation-related initiatives for M&A and post-merger integration, ensuring alignment with company objectives.
• Develop clear communication strategies to help employees understand and value compensation programs.
• Craft executive presentations, dashboards, and data-driven narratives to inform leadership decisions and foster trust in pay practices.
• Build organizational capability by coaching HR partners and business leaders on compensation best practices.
• Implementation of a competitive, market-aligned compensation framework
• Improved employee understanding and trust in compensation programs, measured via engagement surveys.
• Demonstrable pay equity across roles and levels, supported by analytics and reporting.
• Streamlined compensation processes leading to greater efficiency and scalability.
• Enhanced collaboration across HR, Finance, and business leadership to drive unified people strategies.
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree is required in a related field or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Advanced degree, MBA or MS is highly preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in compensation leadership roles, ideally within publicly traded govt. contracting organizations, technology, or high-growth companies.
• 5+ years of people leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing comprehensive compensation strategies, including incentive plans for technical, and specialized roles.
• Deep expertise in base pay, variable pay, and equity programs.
• Equity program management.
• Exceptional analytical and data storytelling skills, with the ability to simplify complex concepts for diverse audiences.
• Strong understanding of California employment laws and U.S. compensation regulations.
• Experience managing M&A-related compensation strategy and integration activities.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Experience with global compensation programs and govt contractors. FAR regulations
• Familiarity with Workday, Radford, Mercer, or other compensation benchmarking tools.
• Advanced degree or certification (e.g., CCP – Certified Compensation Professional) is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and interpersonal skills, with the ability to speak and write persuasively
• Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams; ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships
• Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances
• Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees
• Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness, and the creation of a shared vision
• Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change
• Takes ownership and responsibility for assigned tasks
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
• Focuses on teamwork and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit, stand, stoop, reach, lift (up to 10 lbs.), bend, etc. Hand and wrist dexterity to utilize the computer.
• May require travel to sites/program and special functions.

Environmental Conditions Critical to Performance:

• Work is in an office environment, climate controlled through central air conditioning/heating.
• May have some exposure to outside environment while traveling.

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.
• Must be able to travel within the Continental U.S. and internationally when required.

The salary range for this role is:

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR