HR Director Europe Middle East

WATERLEAU; Wespelaar; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Strategic leadership impact

International environment

Autonomy and empowerment

Competitive compensation package

Job summary

Waterleau Group is seeking an HR Director for Europe, Middle East, reporting to the Regional Director EME. You will shape regional HR strategy, translate business strategy into a practical people agenda, and drive a professional operating model aligned with the work of multi-site teams.

You will lead HR processes, tools, HRIS, payroll and QHSE, while managing regional HR managers in a matrix. Fluency in Dutch and English is required; French is a plus.

Qualifications

• Senior HR leadership experience in an international organisation.
• Strong, pragmatic, structured approach to setting direction and delivering results.
• Experience in multi-site environments (engineering, industry, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Shape and carry out the long-term regional HR strategy with Regional Director EME.
• Lead organisation design, talent and performance management, compensation & benefits, HR policies and governance.
• Own the HR dashboard across product lines focusing on safety, engagement, workforce spend and retention.

Skills

Senior HR leadership

Organisation design

Labour law knowledge

HR analytics

Executive compensation

Education

Master’s degree in HR/Organisational Psychology/Business

Tools

HRIS

Job description

About Waterleau and the Role

As HR Director Europe Middle East (EME), you report directly to the Regional Director EME. You help set Waterleau’s strategic direction for the Europe and Middle East region and turn the business strategy into a clear, practical people agenda. Your task is to make the HR function more professional, sharpen its operating model, and keep it close to the business and the people who do the work.

The role

As HR Director Europe Middle East (EME), you report directly to the Regional Director EME. You help set Waterleau’s strategic direction for the Europe and Middle East region and turn the business strategy into a clear, practical people agenda. Your task is to make the HR function more professional, sharpen its operating model, and keep it close to the business and the people who do the work.

What you will do

• Shape and carry out the long-term regional HR strategy together with the Regional Director EME.
• Bring structure and direction to organisation design, talent and performance management, compensation and benefits, HR policies, compliance and governance.
• Own the HR dashboard and its results per product line, across four areas: safety and compliance, team engagement (eNPS), fixed cost (workforce spend) and talent management (retention, new-hire success, time-to-fill, internal succession for critical roles).
• Lead employee relations and works council discussions with care and credibility.
• Proactively monitor developments and changes in social legislation, analyzing their impact on the organization, and translating them into clear, practical guidelines and policy recommendations for management and the HR team.
• Lead the HR function: processes, tools, HRIS, and the team itself. Your team includes payroll, administration, and QHSE, plus regional HR managers in a matrix.

What you bring

• Senior HR leadership experience in an international organisation, ideally in an operational, multi-site environment such as engineering, industry, construction or technology.
• Experience in a family-owned or family-held group is a strong plus.
• A strategic thinker with a pragmatic, structured way of working: you set direction, and you make it happen.
• Solid experience in organisation design, talent and performance management, compensation (including executive compensation), and HR governance.
• Experience with employee relations and social dialogue, including works councils, and knowledge of labour law across several countries.
• Experience leading change and organisational transformation while keeping people engaged.
• A data-driven approach to HR, using analytics and HR technology to steer decisions.
• A Master’s degree in HR, Organisational Psychology, Business or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Fluent in Dutch and English. French is a strong plus.
• High ethical standards and sound judgement with confidential matters.

What we offer

• A strategic leadership role with real impact: An opportunity to shape and drive the people agenda across Europe and the Middle East, directly contributing to the region’s business performance, growth and long-term success.
• An international and dynamic environment: Work across diverse countries, cultures and business environments, navigating complexity while building a strong, connected and high-performing organization.
• Collaboration and empowerment: Join an environment where initiative, fresh perspectives and entrepreneurial thinking are valued, with the autonomy to turn ideas into meaningful results.
• A competitive and rewarding compensation package: An attractive remuneration package, including a competitive base salary, performance-based incentives and comprehensive benefits, designed to recognize your contribution and reward long-term success.

Our expertise is always within reach. Digital communication has cut long distances short, but we advocate the traditional way of sharing insights.