People Analytics & HR Systems Lead

In our research-driven organisation, where scientific rigour and evidence-based decision-making are core values, the People Analytics & HR Systems Lead plays a pivotal strategic role. This position sits at the intersection of data, systems and people strategy, enabling people leaders to make informed, measurable staff decisions that support organisational performance, flexibility and long-term sustainability. This is not a traditional HR systems or reporting role. You will lead the evolution of People Analytics and HR Systems from a support function into a strategic enabler of insight, transparency and organisational change, directly influencing workforce decisions, HR modernisation and long-term sustainability.

Reporting to the Head of HR, you will lead the People Analytics & HR Systems team and ensure HR data, reporting and systems are reliable, scalable, user-centred and aligned with EMBL's strategic priorities.

Your role

• Provide leaders with clear, actionable insights on workforce trends, talent gaps, engagement, turnover and succession.
• Shift the organisation from ad-hoc reporting to scalable, self-service analytics with trusted dashboards and standardised metrics.
• Own the strategic evolution of Workday and related HR systems, ensuring they are fit for purpose and aligned with organisational needs.
• Strengthen data governance, privacy and ethical use of analytics and AI.
• Support organisational change by measuring adoption, impact and effectiveness of new ways of working.
• Lead and develop a high-performing People Analytics & HR Systems team.

You have

• A degree in a quantitative or business field (e.g., Data Science, Economics, Business Information Systems or Human Resources); alternatively demonstrable experience leading People Analytics or a HR System function.
• Leadership experience in People Analytics, HR Systems or a related function, ideally at a senior architect level.
• Strong hands-on experience with HR systems in complex, multi-site environments (Workday highly desirable).
• Proven ability to turn complex data into strategic insight for senior leaders.
• Experience leading system implementations and organisational change.
• Advanced Excel skills and strong understanding of data governance and analytics best practice.
• A strategic, curious and pragmatic mindset, with the ability to challenge the status quo and simplify complexity.

You might also have

• Deep functional knowledge of Workday HCM modules, Prism Analytics or Adaptive Planning.
• Led at least one end-to-end Workday optimisation or implementation, successfully reconciling multi-site or cross-system data discrepancies.
• Advanced proficiency in data visualisation tools (Tableau, Power BI or Workday Discovery Boards) to create compelling visual narratives beyond standard reporting.

Why this role matters

This role will shape how EMBL understands, plans for and invests in its people. With strong leadership focus on data and insight, you will have real influence over strategic decisions and the success of our HR modernisation journey.

Contract length: 3 years, renewable to a maximum of 9 years.

Salary: Grade 7 or 8, monthly salary from £4,206.37 or £4,825 after tax, plus generous benefits.

Location: Ideally this position will be based at least 3-days per week at either our Hinxton or Heidelberg sites. However, we are also open to applications from candidates wishing to be based in Rome, Hamburg, Barcelona or Grenoble.

Why join us

EMBL is curiosity-driven, community-oriented and international. As an inclusive, equal opportunity employer, we believe that diversity enables us to collaborate more effectively and be innovative in our approaches. We are, therefore, committed to creating an inclusive and flexible culture - one where everyone can realise their full potential and make a positive contribution to our organisation.

We encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing team; we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and personal experiences reflect the diversity of the populations that our science serves. We actively encourage applications from all genders and cultures, ethnic groups and all demographics to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights at this transformational point in our people strategy.

Enjoy lots of benefits:

• Financial incentives: Salary free of income tax, Monthly family, child and non-resident allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover).
• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition to public holidays.
• Relocation package including installation grant (if applicable).
• Campus life: Free shuttle bus (select sites), on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely).
• Family benefits: Kindergarten (Heidelberg), 10 days of child sick leave, generous paid maternity/parental leave and monthly family & child allowances.
• Benefits for international newcomers: Visa exemption, education grant for private schooling, financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non-resident allowance.