Senior HR Generalist - EMEA
Senior HR Generalist - EMEA

Senior HR Generalist - EMEA

Edinburgh Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive HR initiatives and support employee engagement across the EMEA region.
  • Company: Canonical is a leading open source software provider, known for Ubuntu and global collaboration.
  • Benefits: Enjoy remote work, annual bonuses, personal development budgets, and travel opportunities.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of HR in a pioneering tech firm with a diverse and inclusive culture.
  • Qualifications: HR experience in EMEA, strong project management skills, and fluency in business English required.
  • Other info: Willingness to travel up to four times a year for team events.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is very widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation and IoT. Our customers include the world's leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office-based roles. Teams meet two to four times yearly in person, in interesting locations around the world, to align on strategy and execution. The company is founder-led, profitable and growing.

We require an HR function that thinks and acts globally. We're looking for a Senior HR Generalist to offer their expertise to our EMEA region. It's an exciting time to join with the opportunity to help shape and create an HR function for the future. The senior role will serve as a driver and practitioner in both regional and global HR initiatives. You will join a global team of HR professionals to provide precise, compliant and scalable HR operations to the business, advise and execute on HR issues across the whole employee life-cycle, and partner with leadership in your region. You will have an analytical approach, a keen eye for detail and the ability to interpret data trends and themes.

Location: This role will be based remotely in the EMEA region.

The role entails:

  • Deliver precise and compliant HR operations in a timely manner and with the highest degree of accuracy.
  • Interact closely with the EMEA HR Manager and the Global Head of HR to create impact across all HR regions.
  • Be accountable for HR processes such as talent development, succession planning, performance assessments, onboarding, culture and engagement initiatives that drive a high performing team.
  • Work with managers across the business on performance management, organizational design, employee engagement, rewards- and workforce planning.
  • Partner with the HRIS team to develop and refine operational processes for day to day HR administration.
  • Coach and advise people managers on the full spectrum of employee relations issues across multiple countries.
  • Partner with people managers to support the delivery of appropriate training and development programs.
  • Establish a trusted partnership with the business in your region.
  • Drive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
  • Design new policies and deliver on business-critical HR related projects globally.

What we are looking for in you:

  • Exceptional academic track record from both high school and university.
  • HR experience leading initiatives across regions within a technology business.
  • Regional HR experience within EMEA (France, Germany and/or UK is a plus), with an understanding of local labor laws, competitive awareness and insights.
  • Experience in business partnering with senior stakeholders.
  • A good balance between leading and executing; in this role you will need to be hands-on involved in the daily HR routines.
  • Experience mentoring and developing others.
  • Strong project management skills with the ability to define done and keep deliverables on track.
  • Experience in working in a remote first organization.
  • Able to leverage data to make informed decisions.
  • Fluent in business English (written and spoken).
  • Self-motivated, organized, accurate, confident, authentic, results-orientated, open-minded and enthusiastic.
  • Willingness to travel up to 4 times a year for internal events.

Nice to have skills:

  • Experience with immigration policies and mobility processes.
  • Payroll and/or benefits oversight experience.
  • Knowledge of HR Systems and databases.
  • Professional HR certification(s).
  • Facilitation skills.

What we offer colleagues:

  • We consider geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. We revisit compensation annually (and more often for graduates and associates) to ensure we recognise outstanding performance.
  • In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus.
  • We provide all team members with additional benefits, which reflect our values and ideals.
  • We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.
  • Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person.
  • Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year.
  • Annual compensation review.
  • Recognition rewards.
  • Annual holiday leave.
  • Maternity and paternity leave.
  • Employee Assistance Programme.
  • Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues.
  • Priority Pass, and travel upgrades for long haul company events.

About Canonical: Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the company that publishes Ubuntu, one of the most important open source projects and the platform for AI, IoT and the cloud, we are changing the world of software. We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company. We expect excellence - in order to succeed, we need to be the best at what we do. Most colleagues at Canonical have worked from home since its inception in 2004. Working here is a step into the future, and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game.

Canonical is an equal opportunity employer. We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and background create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.

Senior HR Generalist - EMEA employer: Canonical

Canonical is an exceptional employer that champions a distributed work culture, allowing employees to thrive in a flexible environment while collaborating with a global team. With a strong focus on personal development, competitive compensation, and unique opportunities for travel and engagement, employees are empowered to shape the future of HR within a pioneering tech firm. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking organisation that values diversity, innovation, and excellence.
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Contact Detail:

Canonical Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior HR Generalist - EMEA

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with Canonical's culture and values, especially their commitment to open source and remote work. Understanding their ethos will help you align your responses during interviews and demonstrate that you're a good fit for their team.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former employees of Canonical on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging in conversations can provide you with insider knowledge about the company and its HR practices, which can be invaluable during your application process.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience with regional HR practices, particularly in EMEA countries. Highlight any specific knowledge of local labour laws and how you've successfully navigated these in previous roles to show your expertise.

✨Tip Number 4

Be ready to showcase your analytical skills by discussing how you've used data to drive HR decisions in the past. This role requires a keen eye for detail, so providing concrete examples will help you stand out as a candidate.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior HR Generalist - EMEA

HR Operations Management
Employee Relations
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Project Management
Talent Development
Performance Management
Organisational Design
Coaching and Mentoring
Knowledge of EMEA Labour Laws
Business Partnering
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives
Remote Work Experience
Fluent in Business English
Attention to Detail
Strong Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant HR experience, especially in the EMEA region. Emphasise your understanding of local labour laws and any specific achievements in previous roles that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role at Canonical and how your skills can contribute to their global HR initiatives. Mention your analytical approach and experience in business partnering with senior stakeholders.

Showcase Relevant Skills: Highlight your project management skills and experience in mentoring others. Discuss how you have successfully driven diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in past roles, as this is a key focus for Canonical.

Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, thoroughly proofread your documents. Ensure there are no grammatical errors or typos, as attention to detail is crucial for an HR role. A polished application reflects your professionalism.

How to prepare for a job interview at Canonical

✨Research Canonical and Its Culture

Before your interview, take the time to understand Canonical's mission, values, and work culture. Familiarise yourself with their open-source initiatives and how they operate in a remote-first environment. This knowledge will help you align your answers with their expectations and demonstrate your genuine interest in the company.

✨Prepare for HR-Specific Questions

Given the role of Senior HR Generalist, expect questions that assess your experience with HR processes, compliance, and employee relations. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully managed HR initiatives or resolved complex employee issues, particularly in a multi-country context.

✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Since the role requires an analytical approach, prepare to discuss how you've used data to inform HR decisions in the past. Bring examples of how you've interpreted data trends to improve HR operations or employee engagement, as this will highlight your ability to leverage data effectively.

✨Demonstrate Your Project Management Experience

The position involves managing various HR projects, so be prepared to talk about your project management skills. Discuss how you've defined project goals, kept deliverables on track, and collaborated with stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes. Highlight any experience you have with global HR initiatives, as this will be particularly relevant.

Senior HR Generalist - EMEA
Canonical
Location: Edinburgh
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  • Senior HR Generalist - EMEA

    Edinburgh
    Full-Time
    36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.)
  • C

    Canonical

    250-500
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