Director, Compensation Strategy

The Director, Compensation Strategy is responsible for defining, leading and implementing the development of the compensation strategy for unionized and non-unionized employees for CN and subsidiaries. The incumbent oversees the development and delivery of initiatives designed to further improve and enhance CN’s compensation offerings, in line with the business priorities.  

Main Responsibilities 

Compensation Strategy

Synthesize executive and non-executive compensation strategies and philosophy and ensure each is in alignment with broader CN Human Resources (HR) strategy and vision 

Develop annual compensation budget recommendation for leadership and lead the annual compensation review cycle, including communication and training  

Guide the development of the executive and non-executive compensation structures to ensure consistency and fairness in the organization 

Provide approval on proposed enhancements to compensation processes, tools and programs 

Resolve and advise on the optimal mix of compensation levers that influence talent acquisition and retention 

Resolve the strategy for the targeted and scheduled review of CN salary bands (including through benchmarking surveys) 

Stay up to date on trends, leading practices and research on compensation,  
short- and long-term incentives, and leaves 

Compensation Delivery

Lead pay equity compliance in Canada and the United States (U.S.), including committees with union representatives, reporting requirements and communication strategy  

Approve the compensation cycle and associated activities including the communications framework 

Approve the job evaluation and job architecture framework, tools, and processes 

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management

Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including senior leadership, business unit leaders and external parties  

Represent CN in external groups and in front of government officials (e.g., Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC))  

Act as a trusted advisor for compensation related matters across HR and the wider organization 

Team Management

Coach direct reports to align them with broader HR strategy and vision, and ensure they understand the complexities and needs of the compensation teams they are supporting 

Handle and mentor direct reports including day-to-day people management responsibilities, and ensure the team collaborates effectively and maintains strong performance and results (e.g., meets expected Key Performance Objectives (KPOs), Kep Performance Indicators (KPIs)) 

Working Conditions 

The role has standard working conditions in an office environment with a regular workweek from Monday to Friday. The role requires minimal travel (10%) within North America. Due to nature of the role, the incumbent must be able to work in a high-pressure environment, meet deadlines to ensure executive and board-level deliverables, handle pressure, and stress.  

Requirements 

Experience  

Human Resources  

Minimum 10 years of experience in overseeing compensation functions, including base pay, incentive pay, executive compensation, and related areas  

Between 8 to 10 years of experience in leading a shared service function and a large team of professionals  

Experience in designing and implementing programs, including vendor negotiation, budget analysis, and staff training  

Education/Certification/Designation  

Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Actuary or a related field  

Competencies  

Knows the business and stays current on industry needs 

Collaborates with others and shares information 

Seeks and values all perspectives 

Sets direction and inspires others 

Communicates with impact 

Demonstrates active listening 

Identifies needs and finds solutions to create value for all stakeholders 

Technical Skills/Knowledge 

Knowledge of legislation as it pertains to compensation  

About CN  

CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. As the only railroad connecting Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the Southern tip of the U.S. through a 19,500 mile rail network, CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship. At CN, we work as ONE TEAM, focused on safety, sustainability and our customers, providing operational and supply chain excellence to deliver results.