Zhanar Idelbayeva, MBA, MSc

Driving global compensation processes, including merit cycles, budgeted salary increases, long-term incentives (LTI), short-term incentives (STI), and salary structure reviews. • Managing executive compensation to ensure competitive and equitable pay practices. • Collaborating with Finance on budget forecasting, labor cost analysis, and accruals to align compensation strategies with financial planning. • Providing global guidance on performance management processes within SAP SuccessFactors. • Driving pay gap and pay transparency initiatives to ensure compliance with EU regulations and promote fair pay practices.

(Temporary position - replacement for maternity leave) Directed the company-wide Compensation & Benefits strategy, including base salary, variable pay, and long-term incentives. Led a project of designing a global Job Architecture framework, ensuring consistency and alignment across multiple countries and business units. • Developed global salary structures using benchmarking data and internal job leveling. • Led the global implementation of Performance Management and Compensation modules, including system design, configuration, testing, and rollout in partnership with IT, HR, and external vendors. Managed the executive compensation review cycle in partnership with the Executive Board, delivering data-driven proposals and ensuring governance compliance.

• Supported Nordics, Benelux, and Austria regions in benchmarking, job evaluation, and merit planning. • Analyzed and recommended management level compensation changes including promotions and LTI/STI approvals. • Contributed to company-wide pay transparency and gender pay gap initiatives.

• Led Total Rewards programs across multiple EMEA countries focusing on benefits design and compensation projects. • Conducted salary benchmarking, market analysis, and advised senior management on Total Rewards strategies. • Managed benefits provider relationships, tendering, and benefits program redesign and harmonization.

• Led compensation and benefits programs across EMEA countries. • Supported M&A compensation & benefits integration projects and local compliance. • Conducted salary benchmarking, pay range analysis, and advised HR teams on compensation strategy.

• Conducted market benchmarking and proposed enhancements to benefits programs. • Supported M&A transactions and led compensation and benefits surveys. • Provided advisory support to HR on compensation processes and pay decisions. • Built business cases, conducted cost analyses, and collaborated with global teams on TR program changes.

• Managed full-cycle HR for local and expatriate staff, focusing on U.S. benefits (401(b), medical/life insurance, disability). • Provided benefits support across RFE/RL bureaus in Eastern Europe, Central and South Asia. Bureau Project Coordinator, HR Apr 2007 – Jul 2010 • Supported HR operations for bureau staff in 18 countries; managed high-risk casework including death claims. HR Assistant / Project Assistant Oct 2005 – Apr 2007 • Managed recruitment logistics, internal projects (ergonomics, safety), vendor coordination, and employee engagement activities.