At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage the full employee lifecycle and support a diverse workforce across Europe.
- Company: Join SkySpecs, a leader in renewable energy asset management with a people-first culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with a focus on continuous improvement and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping employee experiences and driving company culture across borders.
- Qualifications: 5+ years of HR experience and a global mindset are essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
The People & Culture Generalist serves as the backbone of our European operations, balancing technical HR excellence with a people-first mindset. This role manages the full employee lifecycle - from offer to offboarding - while ensuring our benefits, payroll, and compliance engines run seamlessly. You aren't just an administrator; you are a partner to our managers and a champion of our company culture.
The Why: SkySpecs is simplifying renewable energy asset management. We’re a fast-paced, proactive team where "staying in your box" isn't a thing. We offer a flexible, casual environment and the autonomy to manage a complex international footprint. Our EMEA operations are critical to our mission, covering a diverse landscape of 9 countries. If you are a global-minded HR pro ready to own the employee experience across borders, you’re in the right place.
Essential Functions
- Employee Experience & Engagement
- Front-Line Support: Act as the primary point of contact for European employee inquiries (ticketing/email), providing empathetic and accurate guidance on policies and benefits.
- Engagement & Culture: Operate within the Workleap platform; analyze weekly pulse surveys and partner with management to turn feedback into action. Design initiatives to engage a diverse workforce of field, remote, and office-based teams.
- Talent Acquisition: Act as the internal recruiter for the region; sourcing, interviewing, and hiring top-tier talent to support our growth in EMEA.
- Performance Management: Deliver the annual review cycle and facilitate quarterly talent reviews to identify high-potential employees and support performance interventions.
- Global Lifecycle & Mobility
- Onboarding & Offboarding: Lead the journey from offer letters and employment agreements to comprehensive orientations and seamless offboarding.
- Global Mobility: Manage visa and work permit sponsorships, ensuring all European employees are compliant and supported.
- Talent Management: Facilitate quarterly talent review meetings with management to identify high-potential employees and address performance gaps.
- Records & Verifications: Maintain digital personnel files and manage employment verifications with a high degree of confidentiality and GDPR compliance.
- Regulatory Compliance & Governance
- Multi-Country Governance: Manage employment agreements and amendments across 9 countries (UK, Ireland, Spain, France, Sweden, Austria, Netherlands, Serbia, and Denmark).
- Legal Expertise: Navigate local labor laws, Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), and statutory requirements in collaboration with external counsel and HR consultants.
- Time & Leave SME: Oversee timesheet management and manage complex leave entitlements (Maternity, Paternity, Sick Leave, and Annual Leave) in accordance with local statutory laws.
- Total Rewards & Technical Operations
- Payroll Partnership: Provide critical monthly payroll inputs to Finance partners, ensuring 100% accuracy and compliance.
- Benefits & Pensions: Manage localized benefits, including pensions and private medical plans, and coordinate with occupational health providers.
- Compensation: Conduct annual benchmarking to ensure competitiveness in the European market; administer the annual bonus and merit cycle.
- Leaves & Disability: Serve as the subject matter expert for annual leave and other types of leave, including registering with government agencies as needed, ensuring compliance and empathy throughout the process.
- HRIS & Analytics: Serve as an administrator for UKG and Deel, utilizing data to provide insights on turnover, engagement, and headcount trends.
Job Requirements
- Education: Bachelor’s Degree in HR, International Business, or a related field (or local equivalent, e.g., CIPD Level 5/7).
- Experience: 5+ years of HR Generalist experience, with a proven track record in multi-country EMEA HR operations.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in UKG Pro, UKG Ready, Deel, and Workleap are a plus; high proficiency in MS Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs) highly preferred.
- Location: Must be based in the UK, Ireland, or Denmark with the ability to work effectively in a hybrid or remote environment.
- Languages: Bilingual skills in Spanish or French are a plus.
Competencies
- Global Mindset: You effortlessly navigate the nuances of different European labor markets and cultural expectations.
- Business Acumen: You understand how People decisions impact our bottom line and our mission in renewable energy.
- Process improvement: You have a "continuous improvement" mindset, always looking to automate or streamline workflows.
- Communication: You can explain complex benefit structures or policy changes in a way that is easy for employees to digest. You practice active listening and provide stakeholders with useful guidance.
- Problem solving: You don't just find a mess; you build a better system so the mess doesn't happen again. You take initiative and leverage resources to find solutions.
- Organization & Prioritization: A generalist role managing a diverse workforce requires a "black belt" in task management. Prioritization and organization are essential for success.
- Attention to detail: You spot the errors before they become a problem. You are meticulous with employment contracts, GDPR-compliant data, and payroll inputs where there is zero margin for error.
- Discretion: You handle sensitive information with the highest level of integrity.
- One Team Attitude: You’re willing to jump in and help wherever needed—no ego, just results.
Physical requirements
- Must be able to sit for extended periods (up to 8 hours per day) while performing desk-based computer and phone work.
People & Culture Generalist, Europe employer: SkySpecs
SkySpecs is an exceptional employer that champions a people-first culture while driving innovation in renewable energy asset management. With a flexible and casual work environment, employees enjoy the autonomy to thrive in their roles across a diverse European landscape, supported by comprehensive benefits and opportunities for professional growth. Join us to be part of a proactive team that values collaboration and empowers you to make a meaningful impact across borders.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People & Culture Generalist, Europe
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at SkySpecs!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at SkySpecs.
We think you need these skills to ace People & Culture Generalist, Europe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at SkySpecs. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to SkySpecs and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at SkySpecs. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to SkySpecs's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at SkySpecs
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with SkySpecs.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at SkySpecs will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact SkySpecs and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
