Human Resources Director in London

We're searching for a UK-based, strategic HR Director to scale our European operations from our London location. Reporting to the Executive Director of HR, the HR Director will oversee the entire HR function for our European Residence network from the London Headquarters, focusing on developing and executing HR strategies to support significant business growth, ensuring full compliance with UK and European employment law, managing complex immigration processes, leading the HR aspects of Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and business integration, and fostering a positive, productive environment for our diverse, multi-site workforce.

If you have a proven track record in strategic HR across different European countries and M&A integration and are ready to shape our next chapter in Europe, we want to hear from you!

• Strategic HR Leadership: Develop and implement HR strategies and initiatives aligned with the overall business objectives and growth plans for European operations. Act as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on all HR-related matters, including organizational design, talent management, compensation and benefits, and employee relations. Champion a culture of continuous improvement, employee engagement, and high performance across all European offices.
• Immigration and Global Mobility: Oversee all immigration processes for new hires and existing employees requiring sponsorship or visa support in the UK and other European countries. Stay abreast of evolving immigration laws and regulations across Europe and advise on potential impacts and compliance requirements. Manage relationships with external immigration legal counsel and ensure timely and accurate visa applications and renewals. Develop and implement global mobility policies and procedures for international assignments and transfers within Europe.
• Payroll Management: Oversee and ensure the accurate and timely processing of payroll for all European employees, including compliance with local tax laws, pension contributions, and benefit deductions. Manage relationships with external payroll providers in various European jurisdictions. Implement and maintain robust payroll systems and processes to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. Address and resolve complex payroll queries and issues.
• Legal and Compliance: Ensure full compliance with all relevant UK and European employment laws, regulations, and statutory requirements. Provide expert guidance on complex employee relations issues, disciplinary actions, grievances, and terminations, ensuring legal compliance and minimal risk. Draft and review HR policies, procedures, and employee handbooks to ensure legal compliance and best practices across all European locations. Manage and mitigate legal risks associated with HR practices, working closely with internal and external legal counsel when necessary.
• Talent Management & Development: Drive talent acquisition strategies to attract, recruit, and retain top talent across Europe. Develop and implement performance management systems that encourage high performance and align with business goals. Oversee learning and development initiatives to enhance employee skills and career progression.
• Compensation & Benefits: Design and manage competitive compensation and benefits programs across European locations, considering local market trends and legal requirements. Conduct regular salary benchmarking and review benefit offerings to ensure competitiveness and alignment with company strategy.
• Employee Relations & Culture: Foster a positive and inclusive work environment, promoting employee engagement and well-being. Manage employee relations issues effectively, promoting fair and consistent application of policies and procedures. Act as a trusted resource for employees and managers on HR-related matters.
• M&A HR Integration: Experience in leading HR due diligence, integration, and change management during mergers and acquisitions.

• Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Law, or a related field; Master's degree preferred. Extensive experience (10 years) in a senior HR leadership role, preferably as an HR Director or Head of HR, with a strong focus on international operations, particularly within Europe, including experience with HR aspects of mergers and acquisitions. Demonstrable experience with European employment law frameworks and practices across multiple jurisdictions. Significant experience and expertise in managing complex immigration processes (visa sponsorship, global mobility) for a diverse workforce. Comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience with payroll management across various European countries.
• Skills & Competencies: Legal Acumen: In-depth knowledge of UK and European employment law, including discrimination, unfair dismissal, GDPR, and works council regulations. Immigration Expertise: Strong understanding of visa categories, sponsorship requirements, and compliance obligations in the UK and key European countries. Payroll Proficiency: Expert knowledge of multi-country payroll processing, tax regulations, and social security systems. Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate business objectives into effective HR strategies and implement practical solutions. Communication & Influence: Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a proactive and solutions-oriented approach. Cultural Sensitivity: Ability to navigate and adapt to diverse cultural contexts across European locations. Business Acumen: Strong understanding of business operations and financial implications of HR decisions. Technology Proficiency: Proficient in HRIS systems and other HR technology platforms. Multilingual a plus.