Description:

Role Summary

The Senior Manager - FP&A (Compensation & Benefits) will lead financial planning, analysis, and governance for all compensation and benefits programs. This role partners closely with HR, Rewards, Payroll, and Business Finance teams to ensure cost-effective, compliant, and competitive C&B strategies aligned with business objectives. The position requires strong analytical rigor, stakeholder management, and leadership capabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Planning & Analysis:

- Own end-to-end FP&A for Compensation & Benefits, including annual operating plan (AOP), forecasts, and long-range planning.

- Develop and manage detailed headcount, salary, incentive, and benefits cost models across business units and geographies.

- Analyze variances vs. plan/forecast and provide actionable insights to senior leadership.

- Support strategic workforce planning, hiring plans, and productivity analyses.

Compensation & Benefits Cost Management:

- Partner with HR/Rewards teams to evaluate compensation structures, incentive plans, benefits programs, and policy changes.

- Assess financial impact of merit cycles, promotions, bonuses, stock-based compensation, and benefits renewals.

- Drive cost optimization initiatives while maintaining market competitiveness and internal equity.

Governance, Controls & Compliance:

- Establish robust financial controls and governance for payroll, incentives, and benefits accruals.

- Ensure compliance with internal policies, accounting standards, and statutory requirements.

- Support internal and external audits related to compensation and benefits.

Stakeholder Management:

- Act as a trusted finance partner to HR, Talent, Rewards, and Business Leaders.

- Prepare and present executive-level dashboards, reports, and decision materials.

- Influence decision-making through data-driven recommendations and scenario analysis.

Process Improvement & Automation:

- Lead initiatives to streamline FP&A processes through automation, system enhancements, and standardization.

- Improve data accuracy, timeliness, and transparency across C&B financial reporting.

- Leverage tools such as ERP, planning systems, and BI dashboards for advanced analytics.

Team Leadership:

- Manage and mentor a team of FP&A professionals.

- Set performance goals, conduct reviews, and build strong analytical and business partnering capabilities within the team.

Key Skills & Competencies:

- Strong expertise in FP&A, budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling.

- Deep understanding of compensation structures, benefits programs, and workforce cost drivers.

- Advanced analytical skills with the ability to translate data into strategic insights.

- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

- Proven leadership and people management capabilities.

- High attention to detail with a strong control mindset.

Qualifications:

- CA / CMA / MBA (Finance) or equivalent qualification from a reputed institute.

- 9-13 years of progressive experience in FP&A, with significant exposure to Compensation & Benefits or workforce-related financial planning.

- Experience in large corporates, shared services, or multinational environments preferred.

- Strong working knowledge of ERP systems (e.g., SAP/Oracle), planning tools (e.g., Anaplan, Hyperion), and advanced Excel; Power BI/Tableau exposure is a plus.