Temporary Manager

About Sesame Workshop:

Sesame Workshop is the global nonprofit behind Sesame Street and so much more. For over 50 years, we have worked at the intersection of education, media, and research, creating joyful experiences that enrich minds and expand hearts, all in service of empowering each generation to build a better world. Our beloved characters, iconic shows, outreach in communities, and more bring playful early learning to families in more than 190 countries and advance our mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.

Learn more ame.org and follow Sesame Workshop on Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook, and X.

The Temporary Manager, Compensation provides hands‑on compensation management during a 4‑6 month temporary leave, and with the possibility for extension. The role is responsible for executing day‑to‑day compensation activities, supporting hiring and employee pay decisions, and leading the systematization of compensation cycles. This position focuses on accurate execution, stakeholder support, and continuity of established compensation practices during the coverage period.

The purpose of this role is to ensure uninterrupted, accurate, and compliant compensation operations and management during a period of temporary coverage while the organization continues to evolve its compensation infrastructure. This position exists to maintain consistency in compensation decision‑making and administration, support the organization with timely analysis, guidance and reporting, and systematize compensation cycles – enabling a smooth transition without disruption to business or employee experience.

This role requires access to sensitive compensation and employee data and necessitates that such information is handled with the highest level of discretion, integrity, and compliance while maintaining continuity of compensation operations.

• Partner with the People & Culture team, Finance/Payroll, Legal and other organizational stakeholders to deliver timely, accurate and compliant compensation management practices across the employee lifecycle.
• Configure and execute global off‑cycle and annual compensation processes in coordination with vendor partners and the Vice President, People & Culture.
• Provide guidance to People & Culture Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, managers and key stakeholders with analyses, rationale and recommendations to support informed compensation decisions – such as related to hiring, promotions, job changes, and compensation reviews within established compensation guidelines.
• Coordinate closely with Talent Acquisition to provide compensation‑related hiring guidance and recommendations, ensuring alignment with compensation frameworks including market benchmarks, internal equity, and budget guidelines.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with Finance and Payroll, ensuring accurate budgeting, compensation calculations, payments and records.
• In conjunction with Business Partners, serve as the primary point of contact for employee and manager compensation inquiries during the leave period, delivering clear, consistent guidance that align with internal compensation frameworks and guidelines.
• Ensure compensation practices are aligned with established frameworks, policies, pay transparency requirements, and regulations, and reinforcing consistency across the organization.

• Manage day‑to‑day administration of compensation programs and activities, ensuring timely, accurate and compliant execution during the coverage period.
• Provide appropriate compensation analysis, guidance and recommendations for new hires and lifecycle changes, including job evaluation, internal pay positioning and equity, and budget review for new and existing positions in partnership with Talent Acquisition and People & Culture Business Partners to ensure alignment across job descriptions, leveling and compensation guidelines.
• Execute compensation review processes, including off‑cycle and annual processes, including configuring processes on platform, coordinating eligibility reviews, calculations and payouts in partnership with People & Culture…