Given our historical growth and changes in business model, there is always a backlog of work and the tools/systems in place do not have the flexibility to facilitate the business model changes. Attempts to implement enhancements to the tools are under-resourced, resulting in significant additional time invested for mid and entry-level exempt employees.
To be frank, the based comp package and HR functions are POOR. Only directors and above are bonus eligible. Your annual eval score is NOT reflective of your raise. One can score as superior and still only get the pool 2% increase (same as someone who scores marginal). Requesting a review of one's grade placement is like pulling teeth.
Given the comp structure, in an effort to attract new hires, they are brought with higher titles than their experience would suggest which often exceeds that of existing employees with significantly lower experience.
Competence and superior performance in your current role are not rewarded with additional opportunity/advancement. One of the measured metrics was internal leader advancement. The goal was set at 75%; since inception of the metric, it's been ~30%.