Consultant, Executive Compensation

Senior Executive Compensation Consultant

This position provides direct support to senior leadership, and prepares material for the Compensation and Talent Development Committee for their review and approval of the compensation programs. This position is part of the larger Southern Company’s Compensation Team. This position is a key resource to execute the Southern Company’s compensation philosophy. The position will focus on the design and management of the executive compensation programs, as well as short-term and long-term incentive programs for all employees. The position will analyze emerging issues and coordinate with internal and external partners to develop solutions and/or innovations for our compensation programs.

The mission for our Total Rewards team is to collaborate to improve the lives of our employees and retirees through strategically optimizing human capital (employee experience). This position will contribute to the mission with their engagement, analysis, and strategic perspective.

Job Responsibilities

- Prepare analysis and presentations for the Board’s Compensation and Talent Development Committee clearly identifying alternatives, financial implications, risks, and key decision points; coordinate inputs and reviews with Legal, Finance, Accounting, and other stakeholders. Evaluate executive compensation market practices, trends, and assess regulatory, legislative, and shareholder developments; identify implications for compensation strategy and design
- Develop and coordinate the annual Compensation Discussion & Analysis and related executive compensation tables; coordinate supporting analyses, data validation, and cross-functional review
- Partner to evaluate and design executive compensation and broad-based short- and long-term incentives; benchmark programs; conduct market benchmarking and model incentive outcomes and alternative designs to inform recommendations
- Conduct pay-for-performance analyses to evaluate the relationship between executive compensation outcomes and company performance.
- Support the preparation and validation of annual Total Rewards Statements for Executives
- Partner with HR Delivery and other Total Rewards teams to research and resolve executive’s compensation questions and concerns
- Build effective cross-functional relationships and coordinate assigned projects, deliverables, and timelines with internal partners and external advisers
- Support equity and short-term incentive plan governance and administration, including documentation, data reconciliation, and coordination of reviews, and approvals
- Research compensation-related accounting, tax, securities law, and governance issues; partner with subject-matter specialists to assess program implications
- Streamline executive compensation processes, reporting, and documentation through standardization and appropriate automation; maintain while maintaining confidentiality, data accuracy, and effective controls

Job Requirements

Education

- Bachelors degree required in economics, finance, accounting, human resources or a related field
- MBA or relevant advanced degree is preferred

Experience

- 5+ years of relevant compensation, finance, consulting or governance experience, and at least 3 years directly supporting executive compensation programs
- Experience preparing Compensation Committee materials and contributing to public-company executive compensation disclosures, including CD&A and related compensation tables.
- Experience analyzing and supporting the design and administration of executive annual and long-term incentive programs, including equity-based awards.

Knowledge / Skills

- Demonstrated ability to conduct executive compensation benchmarking, analyze proxy and survey data, and model incentive outcomes and alternative program designs.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and recurring deadlines independently, maintain accurate supporting documentation, and exercise sound judgment with confidential information.
- Strong PowerPoint skills and the ability to translate analysis into concise, decision-ready recommendations.
- Advanced Excel skills, including complex formulas, lookup functions, pivot tables, scenario analysis, and data reconciliation
- Working knowledge of executive compensation governance, SEC disclosure requirements, and relevant tax and accounting considerations, with the ability to collaborate effectively with subject-matter specialists.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate complex analysis to different audiences
- Strategic perspective with a strong business acumen
- Experience improving compensation processes through reporting tools, automation, or approved AI-enabled tools, with appropriate confidentiality and validation controls.
- Demonstrated ability to use creative thinking to solve complex problems
- Demonstrated attention to detail
- Certified Executive Compensation Professional (CECP) designation preferred

Behavioral Attributes

- Takes initiative and personal responsibility for their work
- Demonstrates intellectual curiosity with a desire to investigate and understand thoroughly assignments and responsibilities
- Innovative and willingness to share thoughts and ideas
- Highly motivated and works well with minimal supervision
- Ability to work closely with others towards a common goal