Executive Compensation Consulting
Aligning Executive Compensation with Performance and Regulatory Integrity
Salary.com’s consultants will help you design executive pay programs that align leadership performance with your organization's short and long-term objectives. We help you navigate complex regulations, satisfy stakeholder expectations, and remain competitive—while preserving fiscal responsibility.
The Benefits of Executive Compensation Consulting
At the C-suite level, compensation decisions face scrutiny from executives themselves, boards, regulators, proxy advisors, shareholders, and the public.
It's not enough to find the right answer, you’ve got to show your work: demonstrating rigor, defensibility, compliance and alignment with shareholder value.
We'll help you build an executive compensation package that:
Aligns with Your Corporate Objectives
We tailor incentive structures that support your business strategy and drive long-term performance—using metrics that matter to your leadership team, board, and investors.
Attracts and Retains the Right Talent
With access to Salary.com’s exclusive CompAnalyst® Executive data and proprietary benchmarks, we help you price roles competitively, while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Stands Up to Scrutiny
Our consultants will keep you compliant, drawing on decades of cross-industry experience at the highest levels, and deep knowledge of executive compensation strategy, SEC reporting, tax implications, and governance best practices.
Our Process: Tailored, Transparent, and Results-Driven
Our process starts by understanding your business context, goals, and governance requirements. Then we tailor a strategy that reflects your industry’s compensation landscape and leadership priorities.
We ensure your executive compensation is competitive, compliant, performance-oriented, and aligned with stakeholder expectations.
A typical engagement includes the following core steps:
Compensation Data Collection
Structured interviews with key members of your team—typically including the CEO, CFO, CHRO, and General Counsel—to understand your leadership goals and business strategy. These conversations help surface the performance outcomes and incentive structures most critical to long-term success.
We review:
- Pay mix: Base salary, annual incentives, and long-term incentives
- Performance metrics: Absolute vs. relative goals, measurement periods, and payout structures
- Long-term incentive vehicles: Stock options, RSUs, phantom stock, and cash-based plans
- Current compensation policies: Existing practices, governance structures, and alignment with strategy
Market Benchmarking and Competitiveness Assessment
We benchmark executive roles using trusted market data and peer insights to assess competitiveness and fairness. Our goal is to ensure your compensation programs are aligned with both the external market and internal expectations.
We use:
- Salary.com’s CompAnalyst®, the industry’s leading pay data solution
- Peer group proxy filings: Public disclosures from comparable organizations
- Additional data: Relevant third-party and industry-specific surveys
You Will Get
We deliver clear, actionable insights to guide executive pay decisions and support stakeholder engagement. Every deliverable is designed to help your organization move forward with confidence and clarity.
Deliverables:
- Market comparison report: A detailed look at how your compensation stacks up versus the market
- Strategic recommendations: Guidance for aligning pay with performance and governance goals
- Financial impact analysis: Modeling of proposed changes to support planning and decision-making
Why Choose Salary.com’s Consultants
Diversified and Experienced Team
Our individual consultants have decades of experience in a variety of industries. We have the knowledge and skills to help you in your specific organization, industry, and circumstances.
High-Touch Communication
Clear communication is a cornerstone of our process, and we will be with you every step of the way. Our team of consultants are available to provide guidance and support.
Salary.com’s Powerful Solutions
We leverage Salary.com’s industry-leading total compensation management platform, making full use of its trusted data and award-winning compensation solutions.
An Extra Set of Hands
Serious analysis is a big undertaking that all too often gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. This is a mistake, and everyone knows it, but sometimes your internal team just can’t get the time. Our consultants provide the extra resources and expertise to implement your compensation initiatives.
Third-Party Neutrality
Bringing in outside help demonstrates your commitment to fairness, transparency, and impartiality. It also guarantees a level of discretion not always possible within an organization.
Organizations Getting It Right
Insights You Need to Get It Right
