Head of Compensation

SGS•Remote, REMOTE

5d•$130,000 - $160,000•Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.
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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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.