Executive Assistant to CEO

Executive Assistant To The President & Ceo, North America

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

The opportunity:

The Executive Assistant to the President & CEO, North America serves as a highly trusted strategic partner responsible for providing comprehensive executive support and helping drive operational effectiveness across the executive office. This role manages complex schedules, coordinates critical business activities, facilitates communication across senior leadership teams, and ensures seamless execution of strategic priorities. Operating in a fast-paced, global manufacturing environment, the Executive Assistant must demonstrate exceptional judgment, discretion, organizational excellence, and executive presence while interacting with board members, customers, investors, senior leaders, and external stakeholders.

The role requires proactive anticipation of business needs, strong relationship management skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities with professionalism and confidentiality. This role requires a five day in-person arrangement to effectively serve as a trusted extension of the President & CEO, support executive office operations, coordinate critical business activities, and facilitate real-time communication across senior leadership and key stakeholders.

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock:

Executive Office Management

• Manage and optimize the President & CEO's complex calendar, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and organizational objectives.
• Coordinate domestic and international travel, including detailed itineraries, logistics, and contingency planning.
• May prepare briefing materials, agendas, presentations, reports, and background information for meetings and business engagements.
• Organize and coordinate executive meetings, leadership forums, customer visits, and special events.
• Screen and prioritize incoming communications, ensuring timely responses and appropriate escalation.
• Manage executive expenses, records, and administrative processes in compliance with company policies.

Strategic Partnership & Business Support

• Serve as a trusted advisor and gatekeeper to the President & CEO, helping prioritize commitments and optimize time management.
• Assist in planning and coordinating annual operating reviews, strategic planning sessions, leadership meetings, and business reviews.
• Support preparation for board meetings, executive committee meetings, and investor-related activities as required.
• Help identify opportunities to improve executive office effectiveness and administrative processes.

Leadership Team Coordination

• Partner closely with senior executives and their support staff to coordinate priorities, communications, and deadlines.
• Work in collaboration with the chief of staff to the NA Region CEO.
• Facilitate information flow among the executive leadership team and key stakeholders throughout the organization.

Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Represent the executive office with professionalism and diplomacy when interacting with employees, customers, suppliers, and external partners.
• Manage highly sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Support internal and external events involving the President & CEO.

What you need to succeed:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7+ years of executive support experience, including support of C-suite executives in a complex, matrixed organization.
• Proven experience supporting senior executives in a large public company, manufacturing, industrial, packaging, or related environment.
• Exceptional organizational, planning, and project management skills.
• Strong business acumen and ability to understand organizational priorities.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft 365, including Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and SharePoint.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and manage highly confidential information.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.
• Experience supporting a CEO, President, Division President, or Business Unit President.
• Experience working within a global organization.
• Experience coordinating board-level or executive committee activities.
• Project management or business operations experience.
• Familiarity with manufacturing, packaging, paper products, or industrial sectors.

Key Competencies

• Professionalism and Discretion
• Sound Judgment
• Confidentiality & Integrity
• Relationship Building
• Agility & Resilience
• Attention to Detail
• Influence Without Authority
• Communication Excellence
• Problem Solving
• Customer Focus

The successful candidate is a proactive, resourceful, and highly professional executive assistant who anticipates needs before they arise, seamlessly manages competing priorities, and serves as a trusted extension of the President & CEO. They are comfortable operating at the highest levels of the organization, maintain absolute confidentiality, and bring a continuous improvement mindset that enhances the effectiveness of both the executive and the broader leadership team.

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.