Senior Compensation Specialist - SaaS & Equity

Datadog is the leading observability and security platform for the AI era, providing businesses with unified visibility across their entire technology stack to manage complexity at scale.

As we continue our rapid global growth, we are expanding our core Compensation function within the People team. As a Compensation Partner, you will play a foundational role in shaping and scaling our global total rewards strategy. Serving as a trusted advisor to Global Talent Acquisition, HR Business Partners (HRBPs), and executive leadership, you will guide real-time offer creation, maintain market-competitive job catalogs for Technical Solutions and General & Administration (G&A) teams, analyze equity/RSU trends, and translate market benchmarks into actionable compensation programs that drive performance and employee retention.

Key Responsibilities

• Real-Time Offer Advising: Partner directly with the Global Business Recruiting team in real time, serving as a trusted advisor to craft competitive, market-leading offer packages.
• Strategic Business Consultation: Consult with and influence HRBPs, Recruiting managers, and executive leaders to drive performance-aligned compensation decisions for Go-To-Market (GTM), Technical Solutions, and G&A organizations.
• Job Catalog & Benchmark Management: Maintain and update a competitive, current job architecture catalog utilizing external salary survey data, market intelligence, and deep operational business understanding.
• Industry Trend & Equity Analysis: Monitor market trends, executive compensation movements, and public SaaS industry practices—especially regarding Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and employee stock purchase programs—to maintain a hyper-competitive strategy.
• Data Analytics & Modeling: Drive internal data gathering, financial modeling, market benchmarking, and insights reporting to ensure internal pay equity and external market competitiveness.
• Program Improvement & Innovation: Identify operational gaps in standard compensation programs and proactively propose innovative, scalable total rewards solutions tailored to fast-growing business units.

Requirements

Total Rewards & HR Depth

• 5+ years of dedicated Compensation experience within high-growth technology or public SaaS environments.
• Benchmark Survey Expertise: Expert-level mastery of enterprise compensation survey providers (e.g., Radford/Aon, Mercer, Pave), market data aggregation, and job matching methodologies.
• Technical & Business Alignment: Proven track record supporting Technical Solutions, Sales/GTM, or G&A teams in aligning total rewards structures to business outcomes and retention.
• Analytical & Financial Rigor: Exceptional quantitative modeling, spreadsheet analysis, and data storytelling skills with the ability to influence cross-functional executive stakeholders.
• Public SaaS Environment: Practical experience navigating public software compensation structures, including equity grants, RSU vesting logic, and ESPP mechanics.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building or scaling early-stage total rewards frameworks within hyper-growth global organizations.
• CCP (Certified Compensation Professional) or equivalent professional designation.
• Deep familiarity with global technology compensation practices across EMEA, APAC, and North American regions.

Total Rewards & Benefits

• Compensation & Equity: Base salary range of $143,000 – $190,000 USD + Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) + Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) discount.
• Healthcare & Family Support: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage, parental planning support, and mental health stipends.
• Financial & Retirement: 401(k) plan with company match, fitness reimbursements, and paid time off.
• Culture & Growth: Continuous professional development, product training, intra-departmental mentor programs, and participation in internal Community Guilds.