Head of HR Operations Europe

Head of HR Operations Europe

This is a high‑impact leadership role for someone who enjoys building strong HR operations, shaping the employee experience, and driving excellence across multiple European countries. As Head of HR Operations Europe, you will lead a diverse team, elevate service delivery, and ensure smooth, compliant, and people‑focused HR processes in a fast‑moving, highly regulated environment. For this position, it is essential that you have experience working within the financial services sector.

As Head of HR Operations Europe you’ll oversee everything from payroll and HR systems to onboarding, mobility, benefits, and data governance, all while partnering closely with senior HR and business leaders to create a seamless, high‑quality HR experience across the region.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and inspire an HR Operations team spread across Europe.
• Build strong capabilities in operational excellence, compliance, and risk management.
• Create a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and exceptional service.
• Work closely with HRBPs, Rewards, Risk, Compliance, Finance, and IT to deliver integrated HR solutions.
• Act as a trusted escalation point for operational issues and employee concerns.
• Align European HR Operations with broader regional and global standards.

HR Operations & Employee Experience

• Oversee day‑to‑day HR Operations across multiple countries, ensuring consistency, quality, and compliance.
• Own and continuously improve employee lifecycle processes – from hiring admin and onboarding to mobility, role changes, and offboarding.
• Ensure employees and managers receive clear, timely, and accurate support through effective communication and service channels.
• Champion a service mindset focused on experience, accuracy, and efficiency.

Payroll, Benefits & Budget Ownership

• Lead multi‑country payroll operations with a strong focus on accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory compliance.
• Manage relationships with external payroll providers and ensure robust controls.
• Oversee pensions and benefits administration, ensuring alignment with local legislation and internal policies.
• Maintain clear, auditable processes and documentation.
• Own the HR budget cycle, including forecasting, tracking, and managing operational expenses.

HR Systems, Data & Digitalisation

• Oversee the HR systems landscape across Europe, including HRIS platforms and integrations.
• Ensure data accuracy, integrity, and GDPR compliance.
• Drive automation, digitalisation, and system enhancements in partnership with HR and IT teams.
• Provide reliable HR data, insights, and reporting to support business and regulatory needs.
• Lead future HR technology projects and system implementations.

Compliance, Risk & Audit

• Ensure HR processes meet European and local regulatory requirements.
• Lead HR Operations’ contribution to risk frameworks, including controls, issue management, and remediation.
• Act as the primary HR Operations contact for internal and external audits.
• Maintain strong process documentation and evidence to support audit expectations.

Onboarding & Offboarding Excellence

• Ensure onboarding meets all regulatory, legal, and security requirements.
• Oversee compliant and smooth offboarding processes, including final pay and benefits.
• Partner with HR, Risk, Compliance, IT, and Facilities to deliver a seamless joiner/mover/leaver experience.
• Identify opportunities for automation and process optimisation.

• Strong HR Operations leadership experience in a regulated, complex international environment within the financial services sector.
• Expertise in multi‑country payroll, HR systems, and employee lifecycle processes.
• Experience working with risk frameworks, audits, and regulatory reviews.
• Proven ability to lead geographically dispersed teams and manage external vendors.
• Solid understanding of European labor law, payroll, pensions, and benefits.
• Strong HRIS knowledge and a solid grasp of data governance and GDPR.
• A detail‑oriented mindset with excellent problem‑solving skills.
• Confident communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent English.

The SR Group (Netherlands) B.V. Is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

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