SPM Solution Architect - SM

What makes Cognizant unique?

Our strength is our people, and our ability to work together. We pride ourselves on the talent we are able to attract to our organization. We not only hire the best but continuously strive to provide our associates with opportunities to work with innovative solutions and technologies, with best-in-class clients across the globe. Our diverse group of backgrounds offer different perspectives and new ways of thinking! At Cognizant, we believe those who challenge the way they work today will be responsible for the way tomorrow!

Role: SPM Solution Architect

Job Level: Senior Manager

Duration: Full Time only - Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.

Job Summary:
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.

Roles and 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.

Applications will be accepted until June 15, 2025.

The annual salary for this position is between $138,000 - $162,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

Benefits:

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.

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits 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.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Cognizant is recognized as a Military Friendly Employer and is a coalition member of the Veteran Jobs Mission. Our Cognizant Veterans Network Assists Veterans in building and growing a career at Cognizant that allows them to demonstrate the leadership, loyalty, integrity, and commitment to excellence instilled in them through participation in military service.