Job Title: SPM Architect
Position Overview:
The Sales Performance Management (SPM) Architect is responsible for designing and delivering enterprise-grade SPM solutions that drive sales effectiveness, incentive optimization, and operational transparency. This role focuses on technical architecture, compensation model design, automation of incentive processes, and integration with critical enterprise systems. The SPM Architect ensures scalable and auditable compensation solutions across the sales organization.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic SPM Architecture & Design
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Define and implement scalable SPM architecture including compensation plan structures, crediting logic, and payout workflows.
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Translate business rules into technical designs for quota management, attainment calculations, and incentive forecasting.
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Develop integration strategies between SPM platforms and CRM (Salesforce, HubSpot), HRIS, ERP, and Payroll systems.
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Design robust governance models around compensation plan versioning, auditability, and compliance.
Implementation & Technical Leadership
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Lead configuration of crediting rules, payout logic, exception handling, and data transformation layers.
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Guide the development of automated data pipelines and custom APIs to enable seamless SPM data flow.
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Establish best practices for compensation data modeling, reporting, dispute management, and plan simulation.
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Evaluate and implement predictive analytics, gamification, and AI-based performance optimization features.
Team Collaboration & Client Engagement
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Facilitate technical workshops, platform demos, and proof-of-concepts with internal teams and clients.
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Partner with sales ops, finance, HR, and IT to gather business requirements and deliver end-to-end solutions.
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Mentor SPM analysts, developers, and consultants on platform configuration and scalable design.
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Act as liaison with SPM vendors and stay engaged with industry working groups and user communities.
Continuous Improvement & Innovation
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Research trends in incentive compensation, territory planning, and sales effectiveness to evolve solution strategy.
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Create reusable frameworks, accelerators, and configuration templates to drive implementation efficiency.
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Develop and maintain internal documentation, playbooks, and enablement materials for clients and delivery teams.
Qualifications:
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7+ years of experience in SPM, ICM, or Sales Ops solutions, including 3+ years in architecture or platform leadership roles.
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Hands-on experience with leading SPM platforms (e.g., Varicent, Spiff, Xactly, Anaplan, SAP Commissions).
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Strong knowledge of incentive compensation modeling, quota management, territory & credit assignment.
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Familiarity with data integration techniques (APIs, ETL, SQL) and enterprise systems (CRM, HRIS, ERP, Payroll).
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Understanding of SOX compliance, compensation auditability, and data privacy considerations.
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Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
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Preferred: SPM platform certifications or advanced credentials in sales operations, data modeling, or enterprise systems
Benefits:
Applications will be accepted until 5/16/2025.
The annual salary for this position is between $80,000 – $130,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
- Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
- Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
- 401(k) plan and contributions
- Long-term/Short-term Disability
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
About us
Cognizant is one of the world's leading professional services companies, transforming clients' business, operating, and technology models for the digital era. Our unique industry-based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build, and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant (a member of the NASDAQ-100 and one of Forbes World’s Best Employers 2024) is consistently listed among the most admired companies in the world.
Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead with digital at www.cognizant.com.
What we offer
- The chance to work with impact. Here, you’re empowered to bring your biggest thinking to help our company and clients improve everyday life.
- Ownership over your career. Stay at the top of your game through our award-winning learning and development ecosystem. And when your ambitions change or we offer new opportunities, we help you pivot by providing reskilling, on-the-job learning and guidance to find new roles that might be a better fit.
- The opportunity to thrive on a high-caliber team with heart. We celebrate each other’s experiences and perspectives and promote a sense of belonging through our affinity groups and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
- A comprehensive total rewards package, including a competitive salary and pension plan with matching contributions.
- Flexible health and financial benefits to support you and your eligible dependents—from day one.
- True work-life balance. Be at your best through paid time off, flexible work arrangements, volunteering opportunities, social events, and so much more.
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or apply, please email [email protected] with your request and contact information.
Disclaimer:
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government-issued ID during each interview.