HR Director - EMEA

Transform HR Strategy Across Europe with a Leading Global Business

Are you a commercially-minded HR leader ready to make a significant impact across multiple markets? We are recruiting a HR Director - EMEA to play a pivotal role in shaping an evolving business through strategic HR leadership, cultural transformation, and organisational excellence.

Reporting to: Regional MD - EMEA (dotted line to Chief People Officer)

Location: Italy or Hungary based with regular travel to Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, and Spain

About This Opportunity

As the newly appointed HR Director - EMEA, you'll operate as an influential member of the senior leadership team, bringing strategic HR expertise to drive organisational capability and business performance. This role offers the opportunity to build HR capability, shift behaviours, and educate mindsets across all levels of a diverse workforce.

You'll partner closely with business leaders to implement sophisticated HR strategies, enhance organisational design, and ensure the people strategy is embedded throughout the region.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Business Partnership

• Act as strategic HR business partner to the MD and leadership team
• Align HR objectives with Group strategy and commercial goals
• Provide expert HR guidance to support strategic decision-making

Talent & Performance Excellence

• Lead talent acquisition, development, and retention strategies
• Implement robust performance management and succession planning
• Drive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

Employee Engagement & Culture

• Manage employee sentiment and create targeted engagement action plans
• Embed company values and drive cultural transformation
• Handle complex employee relations matters with expertise

Data-Driven HR Strategy

• Analyse HR metrics including attrition rates and cost per hire
• Develop and track HR KPIs aligned with commercial objectives
• Translate data into commercially-focused HR strategies

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure adherence to local and EMEA employment laws
• Develop and implement HR policies and procedures
• Maintain high standards of regulatory compliance

What We're Looking For

Essential Experience:

• Senior Strategic HR Business Partner experience, preferably in multi-site manufacturing/construction/building products environment
• Proven HR subject matter expertise
• Strong commercial acumen with autonomous operating experience
• International/multi-country HR experience preferred
• Fluent English

Key Competencies:

• Proven track record in designing and executing proactive HR strategies
• Expertise across all HR disciplines: talent management, L&D, employee relations, performance management
• Strong analytical skills with experience in HR data and metrics
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing abilities

Personal Attributes:

• High energy, resilient, and commercially-focused
• Creative catalyst for change with strong execution capabilities
• Gravitas to challenge status quo and drive transformation
• Excellent communication skills with ability to engage across all levels