GitLab is an open-core software company that develops the most comprehensive AI-powered DevSecOps Platform, used by more than 100,000 organizations. Our mission is to enable everyone to contribute to and co-create the software that powers our world. When everyone can contribute, consumers become contributors, significantly accelerating human progress. Our platform unites teams and organizations, breaking down barriers and redefining what's possible in software development. Thanks to products like Duo Enterprise and Duo Agent Platform, customers get AI benefits at every stage of the SDLC.
The same principles built into our products are reflected in how our team works: we embrace AI as a core productivity multiplier, with all team members expected to incorporate AI into their daily workflows to drive efficiency, innovation, and impact. GitLab is where careers accelerate, innovation flourishes, and every voice is valued. Our high-performance culture is driven by our values and continuous knowledge exchange, enabling our team members to reach their full potential while collaborating with industry leaders to solve complex problems. Co-create the future with us as we build technology that transforms how the world develops software.
As the Director, Global Compensation, you'll shape how GitLab attracts, motivates, and retains world-class talent through clear, equitable, and scalable compensation programs. You'll turn our business strategy and values into compensation frameworks that are competitive, consistent, and easy to understand for GitLab team members across roles, levels, and regions. You'll report to the VP of Total Rewards and partner closely with People Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, Finance, Legal, and senior business leaders to lead the full lifecycle of global compensation strategy, design, operations, analytics, and communication.
What you'll do- Own the end-to-end global compensation strategy for GitLab, aligning programs with our business priorities, financial goals, and values while supporting a high-performance culture.
- Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing refinement of global compensation programs, including base salary structure, bonus and other short-term incentive plans, and long-term incentive (equity) programs.
- Design, document, and maintain scalable compensation frameworks and job architecture, including global ranges, career levels, progression paths, and market-based pay practices that support attraction, retention, and internal mobility.
- Develop and run governance for compensation programs, including policies and guidelines, annual focal merit and promotion review cycles, semi-annual bonus programs, and quarterly equity grant planning, with a focus on simplification, equity, and scale.
- Build and manage analytics and reporting on compensation programs. Use market data, internal pay and performance trends, and scenario modeling to recommend data-driven changes to ranges, budgets, and program design.
- Partner with Finance, Legal, People Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, and senior business leaders to align compensation decisions with budgeting and forecasting, ensure compliance, and support consistent, fair decision making across regions.
- Collaborate on executive compensation and Compensation Committee support, providing analysis, recommendations, and materials that connect compensation decisions to GitLab's strategy and performance.
- Lead compensation communication and enablement, including clear documentation, education for leaders and People team members, and guidance for managers so GitLab team members understand the full value and structure of their compensation.
- Extensive experience designing, operating, and improving global compensation programs, including base salary structures, short-term incentives (bonuses), and long-term incentives (equity), across a variety of functions and levels.
- Background advising executive leaders on compensation strategy, trade-offs, and policy, with a focus on attracting, motivating, and retaining talent while maintaining internal equity, market competitiveness, and cost discipline.
- Experience building and scaling compensation frameworks, job architecture, and global pay ranges through periods of growth, organizational change, and evolving business strategies in complex, multi-region environments.
- Strong analytical and financial modeling skills, including interpreting market data, compensation survey results, and internal performance outcomes to run scenario and sensitivity analyses and turn insights into clear recommendations for senior stakeholders.
- Attention to detail and accuracy when working with complex compensation data, budgeting models, focal and promotion cycles, and equity planning, with an emphasis on governance, consistency, and compliance.
- Clear and practical communication skills, with the ability to explain compensation philosophy, program design, and decision rationales to both technical and non-technical audiences and build understanding and trust in compensation programs.
- Alignment with GitLab's values, including integrity, confidentiality in all compensation matters, transparency, and collaborative decision-making across People, Finance, and business leadership teams.
- Familiarity with compensation, HR, and analytics tools (for example, Workday and market pricing platforms) and productivity tools such as Google Workspace, with openness to applying transferable skills from related total rewards or people operations roles.
The Total Rewards team at GitLab designs, manages, and improves global compensation programs for all GitLab team members. We are a small, highly collaborative, all-remote team that partners closely with People Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, Finance, Legal, and business leaders across regions. Together we align job architecture, global pay ranges, bonus and equity programs, and annual merit and promotion cycles with GitLab's broader business and talent strategy. We focus on building scalable, data-driven, and transparent compensation structures that support growth, reinforce GitLab's values, and stay equitable and compliant as the business evolves.
The base salary range for this role’s listed level is currently for residents of the United States only. This range is intended to reflect the role's base salary rate in locations throughout the US. Grade level and salary ranges are determined through interviews and a review of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities of the applicant, equity with other team members, alignment with market data, and geographic location. The base salary range does not include any bonuses, equity, or benefits. See more information on our benefits and equity. Sales roles are also eligible for incentive pay targeted at up to 100% of the offered base salary.
- Benefits to support your health, finances, and well-being
- Flexible Paid Time Off
- Team Member Resource Groups
- Equity Compensation & Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Growth and Development Fund
- Parental leave
- Home office support
Please note that we welcome interest from candidates with varying levels of experience; many successful candidates do not meet every single requirement. Additionally, studies have shown that people from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to a job unless they meet every single qualification. If you're excited about this role, please apply and allow our recruiters to assess your application.
Country Hiring Guidelines: GitLab hires new team members in countries around the world. All of our roles are remote, however some roles may carry specific location-based eligibility requirements. Our Talent Acquisition team can help answer any questions about location after starting the recruiting process.
Privacy Policy: Please review our Recruitment Privacy Policy. Your privacy is important to us.
GitLab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. GitLab’s policies and practices relating to recruitment, employment, career development and advancement, promotion, and retirement are based solely on merit, regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression), national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information (including family medical history), discharge status from the military, protected veteran status (which includes disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, active duty wartime or campaign badge veterans, and Armed Forces service medal veterans), or any other basis protected by law. GitLab will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. See also GitLab’s EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know during the recruiting process.
