Lead HR Partner

This role is situated at EMBL Heidelberg and manages a team of three HR Partners and is responsible for delivering a high quality service to the groups, teams, units and managers across EMBL’s five sites Barcelona, Grenoble, Hamburg, Heidelberg and Rome, supporting them with excellent HR advice and effective processes. The role reports to the Head of Human Resources and is part of the EMBL HR teams at EMBL Heidelberg, specifically working alongside the Recruitment, Contract, Training and Development and Operation Teams.

In this role, you will be responsible for managing HR partners whose roles are to support managers, supervisors and staff, dealing with HR issues as they arise and optimizing processes around each stage of the employee life-cycle. A cross-institute perspective is important to the role. You will be expected to contribute to EMBL-wide initiatives and lead HR-focused strategic projects which aim to continuously improve operations at EMBL.
Your role

Drawing on experience and professional best practice, this role is responsible for leading and developing the HR Partner team members as they work with staff at all levels, guiding them to find solutions and deliver operational excellence. Due to its status as an Intergovernmental Organisation, EMBL runs its own health insurance and social security schemes in the framework of its Staff Rules & Regulations, and is outside the remit of national taxation and employment legislation. Human Resources is part of the COO unit and operates in a matrix management structure.

Hence the role is very varied and calls for a structured approach to operational matters and problem solving, and an ability to work to tight deadlines while remaining flexibile to handle changing priorities across many teams with different perspectives. Excellent teamwork is essential as there are strong interdependencies between HR team members to provide a high quality service to the staff. Good interpersonal and communication skills are also required to support effective collaboration with the wider HR team sited at the EMBL headquarters in Heidelberg and at EMBL-EBI in the UK. The role requires a limited amount of travel within Europe, to meet with stakeholders at EMBL sites.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Lead and manage the HR Partner team to provide high quality support and work closely with assigned EMBL units and managers
Provide general HR advice and support and deliver HR solutions while partnering with managers and staff as a trusted advisor.
Provide advice to staff and managers in line with EMBL policies and Staff Rules & Regulations, based on best professional practice, and ensuring fair and consistent treatment
Acting as a role model of professional integrity and best practice, together with your team you will
understand the strategic plans, activities and challenges of the assigned units, their HR implications and provide appropriate advice to meet organisational and unit´s needs
lead HR strategic initiatives to improve polices and processes to support organisational developments
act as a focal and liaison point for managers on all HR matters, including identifying opportunities for improvement, providing creative solutions and assisting with change management initiatives
establish and maintain constructive working relationships with managers and staff
advise on staff and succession planning support and monitor the staff contract renewal process
provide guidance on performance management and career development
provide HR policy guidance and interpretation to managers on workforce matter
ensure fair and consistent treatment of members of personnel in line with EMBL Staff Rules and Regulation and its Internal Polices and guidelines
maintain awareness of administrative issues affecting staff
handle HR aspects of appeals, grievances, performance and disciplinary matters in close cooperation with, as appropriate, the Head of HR, Legal Services, Ombudsperson, Staff Association, DG and/or COO Office
provide project management skills to HR related projects
establish and maintain effective working relationships within the HR team to fully meet the HR principles
maintain equal level of consultation and advice with EMBL sites, remotely and in person
proactively identify, develop and implement improvements to systems and procedures to enhance service efficiency
provide statistics and management information to the assigned units
deliver presentations to staff and managers on specific HR matters as required

You have

University degree and training in human resources management or similar
Minimum 10 years professional HR experience as business partner or similar
Solid track record of proven process improvement
Proven ability to thrive in multicultural and/or matrix management environment
Line management experience
Partnering expertise, working collaboratively to find solutions and handle issues as they arise so that staff and the organisation are supported appropriately
Proven ability to lead, coach and develop
Good organisational skills
High level of professional integrity
Ability to build strong professional relationships and inspire confidence and trust
Excellent teamwork
Excellent spoken and written English

You might also have

Experience in scientific, biotech or academic organisation
Experience working outside home country
Experience working with SAP or similar ERP
Good working knowledge of another European language