HR Governance & Compensation Lead

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. We are materials scientists, packaging designers, mechanical engineers and manufacturing experts with a shared purpose: Innovate Boldly. Package Sustainably. Guided by our values of integrity, respect, accountability and excellence, we use leading science and technology to move fiber-based packaging forward.

Job Purpose/Summary:

Reporting to the HR Director for the EMEA Consumer Packaging business, the HR Governance and Compensation Lead is responsible for ensuring the organisation's pay and compensation practices align with all relevant employment laws, regulations, and internal policies. They will also be responsible for implementing and managing the compensation processes for Consumer Packaging. This role plays a critical part in mitigating risk, promoting ethical practices, and supporting a fair and motivating work environment. Additionally, the individual will participate in compliance audits, oversee policy development, and be responsible for reporting on legislation such as Pay Transparency, Modern Slavery Act, Gender Pay Gap reporting. Finally, they will provide strategic guidance on compensation planning to attract, retain, and reward top talent.

Job Responsibilities/Key accountabilities:

• Compensation: Participate in annual salary survey participation and data analysis for Consumer Packaging Europe. Participate in the design, modelling, analysis and communication of current and future broad based and sales incentive plans to maximise effectiveness. Make recommendations on how best to implement Smurfit Westrock standards and market-based rewards approach for Europe. Conduct market pricing and provide compensation recommendations for new and existing roles, ensuring alignment with the organisation's job architecture while analysing market trends to support competitive rewards, internal equity, and compliance. Partner with the Compensation & Benefits Manager Europe, MEA & APAC on the design and delivery of year end / new year performance and rewards processes with focus on European workforce. Assist in Automation and standardisation of processes to better support new and existing compensation initiatives (i.e compensation technology, market data management, market pricing infrastructure). Develop partnerships with European Business Leaders and HR Managers to ensure compensations programmes are understood and properly administered throughout the organisation. Deliver training to the HR teams and business leaders on compliance topics, including job architecture principles, pay equity and classification standards. Promote ethical practices and compliance responsibilities throughout the organisation.
• Compliance: Ensure all HR practices, including job structures and compensation frameworks, comply with relevant employment laws and regulations. Monitor legislative and regulatory changes, assessing their impact on job classifications and pay equity. Oversee Compensation policies that support legal compliance, ethical conduct, and consistent job architecture across the organisation. Regularly review and update job 'families', and levels to ensure alignment with organizational goals and compliance standards. Conduct internal audits of compensation practices, including job classification and compensation structures, to identify and mitigate compliance risks. Maintain accurate records of compliance activities, job evaluations, and classification decisions. Prepare reports for leadership and regulatory bodies on compliance status, job architecture metrics, and audit outcomes. Act as a subject matter expert on Compensation compliance and job architecture, advising senior leaders and HR colleagues. Partner with Legal, Compensation, and Talent Management teams to ensure alignment and consistency in job structures and compliance efforts. Ensuring full compliance across all areas of GDPR including data breach, reporting activities, DSAR processes, article 30 management and sign off, introduction and management of processes and policies.

Qualifications, Knowledge, skills experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Law, or a related field is typically required.
• Typically 5+ years of progressive HR experience, with a focus on compliance, compensation, or HR operations.
• Proven track record in designing and managing compensation structures and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Strong understanding of UK employment law, GDPR, and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience in job architecture, job evaluation, and compensation benchmarking.
• Experience with HR audits, policy development, and compliance reporting.
• Familiarity with HRIS systems and compensation tools (e.g., Mercer, Willis Towers Watson data).
• Analytical skills for interpreting market data and ensuring internal equity.

Behaviours: Integrity and Ethical Judgement, Analytical Thinking, Initiative, Collaboration and influence, Adaptability and resilience, Strategic thinking, Thoroughness, Efficiency focused.

Smurfit Westrock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create and maintain a diverse workforce where everyone feels valued, respected, and included. Smurfit Westrock does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law.