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- Tasks: Lead HR strategy across five European countries, ensuring compliance and cultural integration.
- Company: Join a global food and beverage manufacturer focused on transformation and growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary up to £150k and additional corporate perks.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving organisational change and shaping a cohesive culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in multi-country HR leadership with strong knowledge of European employment laws required.
- Other info: This is a permanent role based in Greater London.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 210000 £ per year.
Group HR Director – Europe
Do you have the credibility, resilience, and cultural intelligence to align HR strategy and practices across five European countries, each with unique legislation, local dynamics, and varying levels of team capability?
Have you experience designing and embedding scalable HR systems such as talent frameworks, performance management, and compensation structures – across a decentralised, complex organisation?
Do you have the commercial mindset and leadership presence to influence a new senior team, drive organisational change without direct authority, and define what good looks like in a business mid-transformation?
MacGregor Black is partnering with a Global Food and Beverage Manufacturing business, looking for a European HR Director. This is a permanent role based in Greater London, United Kingdom.
As the European HR Director you will be responsible for rebuilding and aligning HR capability across five countries, developing a cohesive people strategy that supports business stability and sets the foundation for growth.
Key Responsibilities:
- Pan-European HR Alignment: Design and implement a consistent, compliant HR strategy across France, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and UK/Ireland. Ensure transferability of key platforms (onboarding, training, communication, performance, etc.) across all countries.
- Policy & Compliance: Establish and harmonise policies, procedures, and frameworks. Ensure full compliance with local employment laws and group standards, taking into account cultural and legal nuances, including work councils.
- Capabilities Uplift: Assess the maturity of HR teams across the region. Provide mentoring, support, and structured development to uplift HR capability – including those prematurely promoted. Create a clear standard for performance and delivery.
- Strategic Workforce Planning: Build a fit-for-purpose HR structure that meets current and future business needs. Support organisational redesign, talent planning, and succession management across all countries.
- Process Optimisation & Digitalisation: Identify and eliminate manual, inefficient processes. Drive adoption of shared systems and data-led decision making to streamline operations and elevate the employee experience.
- Cultural Integration: Support the development of a shared European culture built around the same values, behaviours, and ways of working. Lead initiatives that support alignment, engagement, and performance across diverse teams.
- Executive Partnership: Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and SLT, contributing to broader business transformation decisions and helping “steady the ship” during a period of intense change.
What We\’re Looking For:
- Proven experience as a senior HR leader with multi-country responsibility across Europe, including strong working knowledge of France, Spain, Switzerland, Netherlands, and UK/Ireland.
- Deep understanding of compliance frameworks, cultural dynamics, and the unique challenges of managing works councils, differing employment laws, and varying HR maturity levels.
- Strong track record of leading HR transformation across structure, systems, and culture.
- Commercially minded, with the ability to align HR plans to business objectives and drive measurable results.
- Skilled in mentoring and upskilling teams, with a practical understanding of how to define, communicate, and implement “what good looks like.”
- Experienced in digital HR tools, automation, and leveraging data to drive decision making.
- Comfortable operating without direct reports but with full accountability for regional HR impact.
Salary upto £150k plus benefits.
Please contact Alice Redmond for more information today.
Group HR Director – Europe employer: MacGregor Black
Contact Detail:
MacGregor Black Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Group HR Director – Europe
✨Tip Number 1
Network with HR professionals who have experience in multi-country roles, especially in the food and beverage sector. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into the unique challenges they face.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific employment laws and cultural nuances of the five countries mentioned in the job description. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to understanding the role's complexities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in leading HR transformations. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully aligned HR strategies across diverse teams and improved HR capabilities in a complex organisation.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your digital HR skills by being well-versed in the latest HR tools and technologies. Highlight any experience you have with data-driven decision-making and process optimisation, as these are key aspects of the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Group HR Director – Europe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Group HR Director position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in multi-country HR leadership and transformation.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your proven experience in designing and implementing HR strategies across multiple countries. Include specific examples of how you've navigated compliance frameworks and cultural dynamics in previous roles.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Demonstrate your leadership presence and ability to influence change without direct authority. Use concrete examples to illustrate how you've successfully driven organisational change and mentored teams in past positions.
Tailor Your Application: Customise your application materials to reflect the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the role. Address how your commercial mindset aligns with the company's objectives and how you can contribute to their transformation during this period of change.
How to prepare for a job interview at MacGregor Black
✨Showcase Your Cultural Intelligence
Given the diverse European landscape, it's crucial to demonstrate your understanding of different cultural dynamics. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully navigated these differences in previous roles and how you plan to align HR strategies across various countries.
✨Highlight Your Experience with HR Transformation
This role requires a strong track record in leading HR transformation. Share specific examples of how you've designed and implemented scalable HR systems, and be ready to discuss the outcomes of those initiatives.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
The ability to align HR plans with business objectives is key. Prepare to discuss how your HR strategies have driven measurable results in past positions, and how you can apply that knowledge to support the company's growth.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in complex situations. Think about challenges you've faced in multi-country HR management and how you overcame them, especially in terms of compliance and team capability uplift.
