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 + Define and implement scalable SPM architecture including compensation plan structures, crediting logic, and payout workflows. + Translate business rules into technical designs for quota management, attainment calculations, and incentive forecasting. + Develop integration strategies between SPM platforms and CRM (Salesforce, HubSpot), HRIS, ERP, and Payroll systems. + Design robust governance models around compensation plan versioning, auditability, and compliance. Implementation & Technical Leadership + Lead configuration of crediting rules, payout logic, exception handling, and data transformation layers. + Guide the development of automated data pipelines and custom APIs to enable seamless SPM data flow. + Establish best practices for compensation data modeling, reporting, dispute management, and plan simulation. + Evaluate and implement predictive analytics, gamification, and AI-based performance optimization features. Team Collaboration & Client Engagement + Facilitate technical workshops, platform demos, and proof-of-concepts with internal teams and clients. + Partner with sales ops, finance, HR, and IT to gather business requirements and deliver end-to-end solutions. + Mentor SPM analysts, developers, and consultants on platform configuration and scalable design. + Act as liaison with SPM vendors and stay engaged with industry working groups and user communities. Continuous Improvement & Innovation + Research trends in incentive compensation, territory planning, and sales effectiveness to evolve solution strategy. + Create reusable frameworks, accelerators, and configuration templates to drive implementation efficiency. + Develop and maintain internal documentation, playbooks, and enablement materials for clients and delivery teams. Qualifications: + 7+ years of experience in SPM, ICM, or Sales Ops solutions, including 3+ years in architecture or platform leadership roles. + Hands-on experience with leading SPM platforms (e.g., Varicent, Spiff, Xactly, Anaplan, SAP Commissions). + Strong knowledge of incentive compensation modeling, quota management, territory & credit assignment. + Familiarity with data integration techniques (APIs, ETL, SQL) and enterprise systems (CRM, HRIS, ERP, Payroll). + Understanding of SOX compliance, compensation auditability, and data privacy considerations. + Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills. + 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 Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer that embraces diversity, champions equity and values inclusion. We are dedicated to nurturing a community where everyone feels heard, accepted and welcome. 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 protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state or local laws.