Associate Director Human Resources – Southern Europe

About the role

The Associate Director Human Resources will lead the HR function across Southern Europe, aligning people strategies with business objectives and regional industry requirements. Based in Spain, the role partners with senior leaders to drive talent, performance, and organizational effectiveness throughout Italy, Spain, and Hungary.

Key responsibilities

• Act as HR advisor to the EMEA HR Director and senior business leaders.
• Develop and implement a regional HR strategy consistent with group objectives.
• Lead the rollout of HR policies, governance frameworks, and performance dashboards.
• Manage HR budgets and monitor HR‑related risks.
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, and internal mobility initiatives.
• Drive talent management, succession planning, and performance management systems.
• Implement learning and development programs and manage related budgets.
• Lead change management projects and employee engagement surveys.
• Support compensation and benefits design, including salary benchmarking.
• Lead organizational design, job analysis, and HR operations including HRIS optimization.
• Provide leadership, direction, and development support to the regional HR team.

Required profile

• Proven experience advising senior leadership on HR matters.
• Ability to design and execute regional HR strategies.
• Strong budget management and risk‑mitigation skills.
• Expertise in workforce planning, talent acquisition, and internal mobility.
• Experience with talent management, succession planning, and performance systems.
• Track record of delivering learning and development initiatives.
• Competence in change management and employee engagement.
• Knowledge of compensation, benefits, and salary benchmarking processes.
• Experience in organizational design and HR operations.
• Leadership capability to develop and coach an HR team.

Required skills

• HRIS