Senior HR Business Partner - Mainland Europe

Application Deadline: 30 January 2026

Department: HR

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Amsterdam

Reporting To: EMEA HR Director

Description

As the Senior HR Business Partner for Mainland Europe, you will be instrumental in supporting the EMEA HR Director and wider HR Team to deliver a first-class HR service across the Mainland European region. This role extends beyond traditional HR responsibilities, requiring you to be a strategic partner to the business, particularly focusing on recruiting top talent, navigating regional HR complexities, and driving initiatives that align with the Company’s growth objectives. You will leverage your knowledge and expertise to manage and challenge external partners, build and maintain a strong employer brand, and ensure that HR processes are optimised and compliant across different regions. 
Additionally, you will be expected to proactively engage with leadership, contribute to strategic discussions, and help solidify the operations of legal entities within the region. 

Key Responsibilities

General

• Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders in Mainland Europe, providing expert HR guidance and support.
• Work with the EMEA HR Director, EMEA Senior Leadership Team and the wider HR Team to support and implement HR initiatives across the region. 
• Ensure the successful delivery of assigned HR projects and change management efforts to support the business’ growth and ambitions.
• Act as a point of contact for any HR related queries for Mainland European employees.  
• Stay up-to-date with HR trends and legislation within the Mainland Europe region to ensure compliance and best practices.
• Provide coaching and support to managers on HR-related matters.
• Drive continuous improvement in HR processes and practices.
• Produce timely HR Reports.
• Carry out ad-hoc project based work for the EMEA region.

HR Operations:

• Navigate and manage HR processes across different regions, understanding local labour markets, cultural nuances, and legal requirements.
• Manage and challenge local third-party payroll providers and legal advisors to ensure they meet the Company's standards.
• Assist in building and solidifying the legal entities' operations and payroll within the region.
• Challenge business assumptions and contribute to strategic discussions with leadership.

 Recruitment & Selection

• Manage the end to end recruitment process by defining and sharpening job requirements, ensuring alignment with business needs.
• Source and challenge the right recruitment agencies across different regions to find top talent. 
• Build and maintain a strong employer brand, ensuring a positive candidate experience throughout the recruitment process and onboarding.
• Manage recruitment and retention across Mainland Europe, working closely with line managers and hiring managers.
• Draft job adverts, job descriptions, and person specifications; source candidates using appropriate channels.
• Assist line managers to understand and implement the SANS Recruitment & Selection Policy.
• Work closely with third party pay rollers to produce offer letters, contracts, and new starter forms.
• Maintain candidate details in line with GDPR.

Employee Relations

• Handle all employee relations matters in the region, including grievance, disciplinary and performance management.
• Liaise with third party payroll companies across the region to ensure employees are properly engaged and remunerated in a timely manner. 
• Lead probation review meetings when required and support managers with performance issues during the probation period.
• Conduct exit interviews and regularly review leaver data to identify areas of improvement.  
• Manage attendance in the region, conducting return to work interviews when necessary and liaising with local occupational health advisors when required.

HR Administration

• Ensure all HR systems, trackers, and spreadsheets are maintained and optimised to support strategic decision-making and operational efficiency.
• Oversee the management of equipment orders and recovery for starters and leavers, ensuring the process is seamless and supports a positive employee experience.
• Streamline the collation and communication of monthly payroll data, working closely with third-party payroll providers and Senior HR Manager to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
• Continuously evaluate and enhance administrative processes to improve HR service delivery and support the overall business strategy.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential

• Strong knowledge of HR best practices across Mainland Europe.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships at all levels.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem solving capabilities.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail, especially in HR reporting and HR administration.
• Ability to coach and influence managers, acting as a trusted advisor.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Proven experience in a similar pan European HR Business Partner or Senior HR generalist role.
• Experience guiding leaders on strategic workforce planning.
• Demonstrated experience managing recruitment and selection processes across multiple European jurisdictions.
• Significant experience handling employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, and performance management.
• Experience working with third party payroll providers and employers of record in multiple countries.
• Experience contributing to or leading HR projects and change programmes.
• Experience navigating local employment laws, cultural nuances, and HR practices across Europe.
• CIPD Level 5 qualification or relevant European equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Fluent in English.
• Proficiency in at least one other European language (preferably Dutch, French, or German).
• Strong working knowledge of HRIS systems.
• Proficient in MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint.
• Understanding of GDPR and data privacy requirements in recruitment and HR operations.
• Acts as a trusted advisor with credibility at senior levels.
• Proactive, solutions oriented, and able to challenge assumptions constructively.
• Highly self-motivated with the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Willingness to take ownership of complex issues and see them through to resolution.
• Demonstrates integrity, confidentiality, and sound judgment in all HR matters.
• Flexible, adaptable, and comfortable navigating ambiguity.
• Strong team player, supportive of colleagues across the wider EMEA HR team.
• Culturally aware, with the ability to work effectively across diverse European regions.
• Willingness to travel across Europe on a frequent basis, often at short notice.

Desirable

• Experience supporting legal entity establishment or restructuring in European jurisdictions.
• Experience developing or enhancing employer brand and candidate experience.
• Previous experience working in a global, matrix organisation.
• Additional European languages.
• Knowledge of HR trends and best practice in emerging European markets.
• Demonstrates continuous improvement mindset and openness to innovation.

Benefits

Hybrid work schedule: 2 remote days, 3 in-office days per week.