Senior Compensation Analyst

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go‑to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. The company creates efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to solve complex packaging challenges, guided by values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect.

The Opportunity

The Senior Compensation Analyst — North America plays a critical role in the design, analysis, and administration of compensation programs that attract, retain, and motivate talent while ensuring external competitiveness and internal equity. The role partners closely with HR Business Partners, Finance, and business leaders to deliver data‑driven insights, support compensation strategy, and ensure compliance with applicable regulations across multiple jurisdictions.

Compensation Program Design and Administration

• Support the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of base pay, short‑term incentives, and long‑term incentive programs.
• Evaluate and maintain salary structures, job architecture, and pay ranges to ensure market competitiveness and internal consistency.
• Partner on annual compensation processes (merit, bonus, equity planning), including modeling, guidelines, and governance.
• Maintain salary structures and pay ranges.

Market Analysis and Benchmarking

• Conduct market pricing using survey data (e.g., Mercer, Radford, Willis Towers Watson).
• Analyze competitive positioning and recommend adjustments to salary ranges, job matches, and pay practices.
• Develop insights on compensation trends across industry, geography, and employee segments.
• Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., FLSA, pay transparency laws, equal pay requirements).
• Assist in audits, regulatory reporting, and documentation of compensation decisions.

Business Partnership

• Consult with HR and business leaders on compensation decisions such as offers, promotions, and retention actions.
• Provide guidance on pay positioning and internal equity considerations.
• Translate compensation philosophy into practical application for managers.

Process Improvement and Systems

• Drive automation and efficiency improvements in compensation processes.
• Support HRIS and compensation system maintenance (e.g., Workday, SAP SuccessFactors).
• Ensure data integrity and governance within compensation systems.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or related field.
• 3‑5 years of progressive compensation experience.
• Experience in a large, matrixed, or global organization with both salaried and hourly populations.
• Strong knowledge of compensation‑related laws and regulations (FLSA, Equal Pay Act, state/provincial pay transparency laws).
• Advanced skills in Excel and experience with HRIS and compensation systems (Workday preferred).
• Strategic thinking and business acumen with the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations for leaders.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
• Preferred: Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) certification.
• Preferred: SHRM‑SCP, SPHR, or equivalent professional certification.
• Preferred: Experience in manufacturing (paper, packaging, or forest products industries).
• Active participation in professional organizations such as WorldatWork.
• Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.