Global Compensation Manager

Braga, Braga, pt remote Until 8/21/2026 H-1B sponsor history First posted April 29, 2026 Last posted April 29, 2026
Job description

SGS is a world leader in Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC), headquartered in Switzerland and operating in 90+ countries with over 100,000 professionals. We are expanding our Reward team and seeking a proactive, analytical Compensation Manager to help shape our global compensation strategy. . The agile Reward Team designs, governs and maintains the job architecture; coordinates access to and the use of market compensation data; drives the annual salary review process; designs, implements and administers short-term and long-term variable compensation plans, cash and equity-based; provides insights and guidance to HR Operations and senior leaders; and monitors labor-cost trends and pay dynamics. As SGS is listed on the Swiss stock exchange, Reward also ensures compliance with disclosure requirements for the remuneration of governing bodies. The team additionally oversees employee benefits governance and leads the management of international mobility.

What You’ll Do:

  • Design, govern, and maintain SGS’s global job architecture and job grading systems
  • Lead market benchmarking and salary range design;   analyze internal compensation practices and labor market trends to inform merit budgets and pay decisions
  • Support short- and long-term incentive plan design (cash and equity)
  • Interpret financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow) and assess business impact of reward decisions
  • Provide expert guidance to HR and senior leaders across a global, multicultural environment
  • Collaborate closely with a small, high-performing team and coach colleagues on reward topics
  • Manage relationships with external vendors and service providers

What We’re Looking For:

  • Solid experience in compensation management in a multinational or global environment
  • Excellent knowledge of Excel and advanced spreadsheet skills (actuarial/statistical analysis a strong plus)
  • Strong foundation in job architecture, job levelling, and salary benchmarking
  • Ability to interpret financial statements and KPIs
  • Experience with incentive plan design and reward communications
  • Pragmatic, hands-on approach and ability to manage multiple projects in parallel
  • Fluent in English; additional European languages a plus
  • Knowledge of Swiss labor law and the Swiss Code of Obligations (preferred)
  • Interest in technology and recent developments, including AI
  • This is an individual contributor position based in a European country and reporting to the Global Head of Reward (based in Italy).

 

Why SGS?

  • Join a global leader in a dynamic phase of growth and transformation
  • Influence compensation strategy for 100,000+ employees worldwide
  • Flexible, hybrid work options anywhere in Europe 

Ready to make an impact? Apply now and help us shape the future of reward at SGS!

As part of our recruitment process, we kindly request that you submit your CV in English to ensure accurate evaluation

 

About this role

Summary

Develops and manages global compensation strategies, salary policies, and incentive plans; guides leadership.

Job title

Global Compensation Manager

Experience level

solid experience in compensation management in a multinational or global environment

Industry

testing and inspection

Location requirements

Braga, Portugal; remote work allowed in Europe.

Salary

Not specified

Visa sponsorship

H-1B sponsor history

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

Exceljob architecturesalary benchmarkingfinancial statementsincentive plan design

Preferred skills

Swiss labor lawAI interestmultilingual

Specializations

compensation managementjob architecturesalary benchmarkingincentive plan designreward communication
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Portugal

Remote Country

Braga, Portugal

On-site City