Human Resources

Executive Compensation and Incentive Plans

Executive pay attracts scrutiny from boards, shareholders, regulators and employees. This course explains how to design executive compensation: market benchmarking, pay mix, short-term and long-term incentives, performance measures, governance by remuneration committees, disclosure and avoiding incentives that encourage excessive risk.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Poorly designed executive pay can reward the wrong behaviours and damage reputation. You will learn principles for fair, effective and defensible incentive plans.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Plan design exercises, case studies of controversial pay decisions, benchmarking practice and committee simulations.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain components of executive remuneration
Benchmark executive pay against relevant markets
Design short-term incentive plans
Design long-term and equity-based incentives
Select performance measures that align with strategy
Support remuneration committee governance

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Reward and compensation managers
HR directors
Remuneration committee members
Company secretaries
Finance directors

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Incentive design
Benchmarking
Performance measurement
Governance
Risk awareness

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Executive Pay Landscape

09:00–10:08Components of pay
10:08–11:00Stakeholder expectations
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Stakeholder expectations (continued)
11:45–12:53Regulation and disclosure
12:53–14:00Case study

Day 2Benchmarking

09:00–10:08Peer groups
10:08–11:00Market data
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Market data (continued)
11:45–12:53Positioning
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 3Short-Term Incentives

09:00–10:08Bonus plan design
10:08–11:00Measures and targets
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Measures and targets (continued)
11:45–12:53Deferral and malus
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 4Long-Term Incentives

09:00–10:08Share plans
10:08–11:00Vesting and holding
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Vesting and holding (continued)
11:45–12:53Performance conditions
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 5Governance

09:00–10:08Remuneration committees
10:08–11:00Shareholder engagement
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Shareholder engagement (continued)
11:45–12:53Reporting
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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