Susan Balsley

About Susan Balsley

Strategic Compensation Leadership | Total Rewards Optimization | People & Culture TransformationAs a Compensation & People Strategy Executive, I specialize in designing and implementing competitive total rewards programs that attract, retain, and motivate top talent while aligning with business objectives. With a strong foundation in executive compensation, equity plan design, incentive structures, and M&A HR integration, I bring a finance-driven approach to optimizing compensation frameworks, ensuring compliance, and enhancing shareholder engagement.Key Expertise: Total Rewards Strategy & Executive Compensation – Designing high-impact STI & LTI programs that drive business growth. Equity Plan Design & Administration – Managing stock-based compensation, SEC reporting, and shareholder communications. M&A HR Integration & Governance – Aligning compensation structures post-acquisition to ensure seamless transitions. Market Benchmarking & Pay Equity – Leveraging data-driven insights to ensure fairness, compliance, and competitiveness. Cross-Functional Leadership – Bridging Finance, HR, and Risk Management to drive operational excellence.I thrive in fast-paced, evolving environments, helping organizations enhance workforce engagement, optimize total rewards, and strengthen governance. Let’s connect to discuss industry trends, best practices, or potential collaborations in compensation strategy and people transformation.

Experience

1. Executive Compensation & Esg Senior Director

   The E.W. Scripps Company

   Mar 2023 — Present · Cincinnati, OH, US

   At The E.W. Scripps Company, I lead executive compensation strategies, ensuring competitive and compliant programs for 150 executives. Partnering with the Board’s Compensation & Talent Management Committee, I oversee regulatory filings, incentive structures, and perquisites while managing quarterly committee meetings and agendas.Beyond compensation, I drive the company’s ESG initiatives, implementing robust disclosure and reporting measures. By collaborating with independent consultants, I refine executive pay structures to align with business objectives, governance standards, and market best practices.Key Accomplishments:• Established the company\'s ESG program from materiality assessment stage through public disclosure.• Spearheaded overhaul and enhancement of proxy reporting process, yielding improved accuracy and compliance.• Delivered strategic advisement to executive leadership, improving compensation structures for increased alignment with company goals.

Education

• University of Indianapolis

  BS, Accounting

  1992 — 1995

Skills

• Process Improvement
• Management
• Payroll
• Analysis
• Auditing
• Strategy
• Incentive Programs
• Human Resources Information Systems (Hris)
• Executive Pay
• Adp Payroll
• Leadership
• Compensation & Benefits
• Equity Plans
• Corporate Finance
• Workday
• Peoplesoft
• Account Reconciliation
• Employee Benefits
• Sarbanes-Oxley Act
• Deferred Compensation
• Human Resources
• Accounting
• Hris
• Talent Management
• Compensation & Benefit