European HR Director - London base, acquisition agenda

ROLE FILLED - HIGH PERFORMANCE LEADER COMMENCED AFTER SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT OFFER

This financial services company is so far from “this is the way we’ve always done it here” culture that is typical of their more traditional peers. Which might explain their rapid growth and success over the last decade. With a varied and sizeable portfolio, and a workforce scattered across the world, the company now plans to expand its presence across Europe, and requires a commercially savvy HR Director to help enable their plans for both organic and acquisition growth activity.

Immediate priorities for this role include attracting niche skilled talent into the company, creating performance frameworks that drive sustainable business results, and providing a HR risk management lens for acquisition due diligence and integrations. Given the heavily regulated nature of the industry, this HR Director will also need to manage the necessary compliance and reporting, without creating additional bureaucracy; however at all times this leader must be a custodian for nurturing the company’s entrepreneurial culture. Finally, this HR executive will need to provide subject matter expertise for labor laws and cultural adaptions as new sites are opened across Europe, all whilst developing a dynamic and results focussed HR team within this region.

Elsewhere in the world, the HR leadership team are well regarded as pro active sparring partners, who genuinely add value to the business - the highly educated and accomplished workforce across Europe will be expecting the same quality of service and solutions delivery from this HR Director. Influencing through facts and data, will be a better cultural fit in this community than adopting a “policy police” and/or emotive approach in communications.

Ideally (post-Covid restrictions) this person will be based from the company’s central London offices, with some flexibility in the long term for a flex work arrangement. As with other entrepreneurial companies, we are mindful that the culture of the company could radically change during their growth trajectory, so “water cooler” moments are particularly critical for the foreseeable future so a permanent remote work arrangement isn’t ideal. And, as with many companies still early in their life-cycle, there is a need for this person to have a “jack of all trades” mindset - there will be no shortage of change, ambiguity, critical projects and “all hands to the pump” moments whilst wading through excel spreadsheets because we don’t yet have HR systems in place. The European workforce, whilst small in numbers are known for their “need it yesterday” demands and this person will be expected to be present for collaborations across many time zones. This isn’t the job for someone seeking a low pressure 9 to 5 environment!

The “wish list” for hiring criteria is very reasonable, inclusive of:

  • Fluent English written and verbal language skills. French language skills would be useful but are not essential

  • An advanced first hand knowledge of multi jurisdictional labor laws across Western Europe

  • Some direct experience of currently or historically having worked through the demands of the heavily regulated financial services sector environment without getting bogged down in administration; in addition to having worked across additional industry sectors to have a breadth of best practice and innovative solutions to offer

  • Advanced commercial savvy with an ability to find solutions that match business needs

  • Courage to influence and stand your ground whilst demonstrating a high degree of emotional intelligence

  • A natural comfort in reading and interpreting the story behind a P&L statement and Balance sheet

  • High regard will be given to HR leaders who have lived and worked outside of the UK at some point in their career, and who can continue to offer potential for location mobility

The role will require current EU or UK citizenship and current UK residency. When Covid restrictions are relaxed, planned travel can be expected across Europe and occasionally to other continents.  The base salary starting from £120,000 will be accompanied with performance linked bonus and a generous benefits package.

If this sounds like the challenge you've been seeking for your next career move, please do make contact directly and in confidence via solutions@cartermorris.com

ROLE FILLED - HIGH PERFORMANCE LEADER COMMENCED AFTER SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT OFFER

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HR Business PartnerLeanne Morris