Senior Manager, HRBP

The opportunity:

We are seeking a forward-thinking and accomplished Senior Human Resources Business Partner to support our NA IT Solutions organization. This pivotal role calls for an HR leader who brings a partnering mindset, strong IT & business acumen, a data-driven approach, and ability to solve complex organizational challenges. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of how HR can drive enterprise value and will be adept at translating workforce insights into actionable strategies that support both operational excellence and long-term growth.

This role will play a critical part in advancing our talent development agenda, understanding the owner-operator model and the critical role of enabling the IT function. The successful candidate will support regional IT executives and team members on critical initiatives that build leadership capability, strengthen succession pipelines, and foster a culture of continuous learning and performance. This is a unique opportunity to help evolve the IT function from within ensuring our people, processes, and programs are fully aligned with the strategic direction of the business.

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock:

• Strategic HR Partnership: Serve as a trusted advisor to IT leadership, translating business objectives into people strategies that drive performance, innovation, and long-term growth. Provide strategic counsel on organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, IT transformation, and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Leverage HR analytics, dashboards, and workforce metrics to identify trends, uncover insights, and guide data-informed decisions. Present findings to senior stakeholders to influence strategy and improve outcomes across the IT function.
• Talent Development & Capability Building: Lead initiatives that strengthen leadership pipelines, enhance employee development, and support succession planning. Partner with Learning & Development teams to design programs that align with future business needs and foster a culture of continuous growth. Strategically align talent and organizational capabilities with short term and long-term objectives of the IT business, ensuring readiness for future growth and transformation.
• Organizational Design & Change Management: Support organizational restructuring, role clarity, and process optimization efforts. Apply change management principles to ensure smooth transitions and high adoption rates for new initiatives and systems. Drive organizational alignment across multiple legacy entities to foster a unified and efficient operating structure. Champion the integration of regional operating models with core business functions, cross-functional teams, and the global IT Solutions organization.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with HR Centers of Expertise including Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, and HRIS to ensure cohesive execution of enterprise-wide programs. Act as a connector between IT teams and business units to align priorities and share best practices.
• Employee Experience & Engagement: Champion initiatives that enhance employee engagement, inclusion, and well-being. Use survey data and feedback mechanisms to assess organizational health and recommend targeted interventions.
• Compliance & Risk Mitigation: Ensure HR practices are aligned with legal requirements, internal policies, and ethical standards. Proactively identify and address potential risks while promoting a culture of transparency and accountability.

What you need to succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (Master’s or MBA preferred)
• 7-10 years of progressive HR experience, ideally supporting IT or corporate functions
• Proven ability to understand and address the distinct challenges and requirements of IT and technology-driven organizations is essential
• Proven success in leading strategic HR initiatives with measurable business impact
• Strong analytical skills and experience using HR data to drive decision-making
• Business acumen and ability to influence across all levels of the organization
• Proficiency in HR technologies (e.g., Workday, SuccessFactors, Tableau, Power BI)
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills