Head of Compensation

We are SGS – the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

The Head of Compensation for North America is responsible for designing and delivering a comprehensive compensation strategy that supports the unique operational, technical, and commercial demands of the Testing, Inspection & Certification (TIC) industry. This role ensures competitive, compliant, and scalable compensation programs that attract and retain specialized talent across laboratories, field operations, technical services, and corporate functions.

The individual is part of the HR North America Leadership Team and will work closely with the Global Total Rewards team, North America Business Line Leaders and Finance team, implement compensation solutions that drive productivity, safety, and service excellence across a geographically diverse workforce.

• Develop and execute a regional compensation strategy tailored to the complexities of the TIC industry— including field-based technicians, auditors, inspectors, laboratory professionals, and commercial teams.
• Provide strategic compensation insights to support workforce planning, high-volume hiring, retention of critical technical talent, and competitiveness in price-sensitive markets.
•  Align all regional compensation programs with global frameworks while addressing country-specific market practices and regulatory requirements for North America.
• Oversee design and governance of salary structures, variable pay programs, job architecture, and incentive plans that support both operational efficiency and commercial performance.
• Lead annual compensation planning processes (merit, bonus, market adjustments), ensuring timely execution across numerous countries and business units.
• Conduct market benchmarking and compensation analytics for technical and niche roles common in the TIC sector (inspectors, lab technicians, auditors, engineers).
• Design and maintain fair, competitive and compliant compensation practices for field roles involving shift work, travel, hazard exposure, and specialized certifications.
• Implement recognition programs that reinforce safety culture, service quality, and operational excellence.
• Support regional implementation of global executive compensation programs, ensuring compliance with local taxation and reporting rules.
• Oversee mobility packages for cross-border assignments, reflecting regional staffing needs and compliance with immigration, tax, and labor requirements.
• Ensure compensation programs comply with labor laws, pay equity regulations, tax rules, and collective bargaining agreements (where applicable), and health and safety standards across.
• Maintain high standards of data integrity and reporting accuracy across HRIS and compensation systems.
• Manage compensation budgets and provide financial modeling for compensation investments.
• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing regional Compensation team supporting North America.
• Partner with HRBPs, Finance, Legal, and business line leaders to ensure compensation strategies support revenue growth, operational efficiency, and employee engagement.
• Represent the North America compensation perspectives in global initiatives, providing regional insight and advocating for operational and local-market needs.

Education and Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or related field.
• 12+ years of progressive compensation experience, ideally within the TIC, industrial services, engineering, or technical services sectors.
• Experience supporting multi-country environments in North America.
• Strong understanding of compensation practices for technical and field-based roles, including premium pay, certifications, safety incentives, and workforce scheduling considerations.
• Proven ability to lead complex compensation cycles and harmonization projects across multiple jurisdictions.
• Strong analytical, financial modeling, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication capabilities.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree or professional certifications (CCP, GRP).

Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities

• Ability to manage and coordinate multiple projects in a fast paced, highly professional environment.
• Strategic mindset with strong business and industry acumen.
• Data-driven decision making.
• Cross-cultural leadership and collaboration.
• Integrity, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Operational understanding of field and laboratory environments.
• Change and transformation leadership.

Travel

• Occasional Travel Required (5% - 33%)

Compensation

The expected salary range for this position is $130,000 – $160,000 annually. This range represents the minimum and maximum base salary we reasonably expect to pay for this role. Actual compensation within the range will depend on skills, experience, and qualifications.

Our Benefits

We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role.

• Health: Medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, employee assistance programs.
• Wealth: In addition to base pay, we offer 401(k) with company match (immediate vesting upon enrollment).
• Happiness:
  • Professional Growth: Online training courses, virtual and classroom development experiences, tuition reimbursement program
  • Work-Life Balance: Paid-time off and family leave

In compliance with applicable state and local pay transparency laws, we provide clear and equitable compensation information for all applicants.

Position anticipated to close September 1, 2026.

SGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such we recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristics protected by law.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts the company’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

If you are applying for a position within the United States and you have difficulty completing the on-line employment application because of a disability, please call 201-508-3149 for assistance and leave a message. You will receive a call back.  Please note, this phone number is not for general employment information but is only for individuals who are experiencing difficulty applying for a position due to a disability.