Regional Human Resources Director - Europe

At Gensler, we design for people. We leverage our global perspective and local presence to innovate at every scale. We’re not just designers. We’re tinkerers, craftspeople, visionaries, innovators, and thought leaders. Fueled by passion and entrepreneurial spirit, our people bring new ideas to solve the world’s most challenging problems, like designing a more resilient, inclusive, and equitable future for our communities and cities.

Our people-centered, “People First” culture and “One Firm-Firm” motto promotes integrated teams that unite to shape the future of cities. Gensler’s vision is to “Create a Better World through the Power of Design,” and we do that by our deep commitment to our clients and by fostering a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive environment that enables our people to create impactful solutions together.

Your Role

You will lead a team of HR professionals throughout the Europe region (Berlin, Birmingham, London, Munich, Paris) and will provide overall strategy, design, delivery, and management of the region’s HR programs and services (talent acquisition, onboarding, career pathing, performance management, succession planning, etc.). You will be a key leader in the region in which you are based, reporting directly to the Regional Managing Principal(s) and the firmwide Chief Human Resources Officers (CHRO).

This is a one-of a-kind opportunity for an experienced HR Leader, with a desire to understand the business of design and work with creative leaders to develop strategies that support our “people first” culture and cultivating exceptional experiences for our team members. Achieving this mission will enable the firm to attract, retain, and reward the design industry’s top talent and enhance and sustain Gensler’s innovative and entrepreneurial culture.

This role requires an individual with a strategic and growth mindset and a track record of bringing innovative talent strategies to reality. The individual must be a thought leader and a trusted advisor, with strength in building relationships across matrixed organizations and experience successfully managing complex projects, budgets, and deadlines and working across all levels of leadership.

**This position will be based out of our London office 5 days a week**

What You Will Do

People Strategy

• Play a key role in leading the region’s talent strategies, acting as a strategic business partner, thought leader, and change agent

• Provide strategic guidance on people and organizational issues

• Continuously work to advance the people strategy and growth of the global firm

• Pro-actively translate business needs of the firm into people-oriented solutions

• Work to attract and retain top talent through employee engagement strategies

• Oversee leadership pipeline and succession planning activity for the region

• As needed, provide strategic consultation when entering new markets (e.g., opening a new Gensler office) and lead hiring/onboarding of new Office Managing Director(s)

Operations & Finance

• Working with the Regional Operating Officer (ROO), understanding the business from an operations and financial perspective and take actions that will improve/innovate people operations and P&L

• Participate in strategic planning

• Manage recruiting budget for region

• Monitor productivity data for region, understand where to raise and address issues at the individual and studio level

• Coordinate with the ROO on compensation setting (bonuses and base salaries)

• Be involved in staffing and other operational functions in the region and office as appropriate

HR Design & Delivery

• With Firmwide HR teams, develop effective recruiting, learning and professional development programs and initiatives

• Lead and support the execution of HR programs, initiatives, tools and technologies, etc.

• Innovate on existing processes and procedures and share successes with other regions and Firmwide HR Studio

• Handle Employee Relations (ER) issues promptly and discreetly; recommend appropriate options to leaders when dealing with ER

• Counsel leaders through the Professional Development Program, Appointments/Promotions, and Developmental Reviews

• Continue to expand knowledge of employment laws in the UK and Europe to ensure compliance and support the limitation of liability for Gensler

Team Leadership/Building

• Lead, develop and mentor the Regional HR team

• Have active oversight of region’s smaller office HR activities, including supporting the development of office HR staff

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Human Resources or related field required.

• HR certification preferred.

• 15+ years’ experience in Human Resources with demonstrated strategic and operational knowledge of core HR fundamentals, including strategy, program management, and delivery of services and programs.

• CIPD qualified or equivalent

• Sound legislative knowledge of UK employment law; knowledge of France, Germany and/or other EU countries’ employment law would be advantageous

• Proven success in employee lifecycle (recruiting, onboarding, performance management, talent development, talent management, etc.)

• Experience building HR programs from the ground up or transforming an HR organization to best in class status.

• Experience as part of a team that scaled or grew a business.

• Strong business acumen and a proven record of partnering with and influencing all levels of leadership across the firm to design and implement effective HR programs and services.

• Ability to measure and track HR effectiveness through use of key metrics and measures.

• Excellent communication, organizational, and Emotional Intelligence capabilities.

• Agile and comfortable in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Life at Gensler

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical and dental insurance, season ticket loans, pension, and twice annual bonus opportunities.

As part of the firm’s commitment to professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional qualifications and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programmes or classes. We view our professional development programmes as strategic investments in our future.

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