International HR Director - technology sector - quasi startup

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

This company has passed the “working to launch from a kitchen table with a shoestring budget” phase of startup, to having gone to market with skyrocket success, to now getting to the point of having carved out a healthy niche in their market, with further plans for expansion, both organic and through acquisition. Like many companies who have remained viable after initial startup success, they now wish to introduce frameworks and consistency of practices, to ensure efficiency and fairness in their operations, but without losing the dynamic and innovative culture that contributed to their entrepreneurial success.

As a result, we’re seeking a pragmatic leader who fully understands the unique pressures of “building the plane whilst flying it” pressures. This person will need advanced expertise in supporting technology workforces, to take on a HR Director role supporting a C-suite stakeholder and a workforce who are used to working with more advanced HR structures and support. Reporting into a global VP of HR, this person will focus on:

  • providing counsel to executive and management teams on talent attraction and management in a market where niche skilled talent demand outstrips supply, and poaching has become increasingly common

  • providing expertise for appropriate introduction of performance management frameworks that drive the right behaviours but that don’t stifle speed, creativity and innovation

  • establishing HR frameworks that are scaleable to meet diverse company growth

  • risk management for employment legislation compliance and labor law interpretation

  • ensuring consistency for HR policy, process and service delivery to international stakeholders, and

  • collaborating with HR colleagues to “build the aeroplane” and get to a point where the levels of chaos and “need it yesterday” demands become more manageable

This person will lead a team of HR managers in various locations, who in turn provide day to day HR operational support to this technology workforce at various sites. Ensuring that this HR team is inspired and motivated, technically proficient, consistent and pro active with their advice, and able to provide accurate data and talent market intelligence in short time frames - this is just another of the many priorities in this role.

This role will particularly suit the HR professional who can offer solutions with reasoning and influence through facts and data, rather than the HR leader who prefers a “policy police” and/or emotive approach in their communications.

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.

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

  • Fluent English written and verbal language skills. Any additional European languages would be useful but are not essential.

  • A working knowledge of multi jurisdictional labor laws, ideally across Europe, North and South America, plus AsiaPac countries

  • A track record for successfully working through the complex matrix and reporting structures of a multinational tech sector company, and knowing how to pick the best of that and apply it within the ambiguity and “everything yesterday” demands of a startup company culture

  • A work history of having directly worked with CIO/CTO/IT Director stakeholders to support their people needs across all of their specialist workforce groups

  • 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

Whilst remote and flex work is the immediate arrangement, ideally (post-Covid restrictions) this person will be able to undertake regular but planned travel particularly between European sites. We are mindful that the culture of the company may take many iterations as the company continues with an aggressive growth trajectory, so “water cooler” moments are particularly critical for the foreseeable future.

Initially this role will commence as a fixed term contract post, with a view to rapid conversion to a permanent salaried position.

The role will require current EU or UK citizenship and current UK residency. Base salary will start from £120,000 (or euro equivalent) and will be accompanied by bonus and benefits (on a pro rata basis initially, and also applying to the permanent post)

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

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HR Business PartnerLeanne MorrisEurope