Director, HR Business Partner, International

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc; Madrid; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is seeking an experienced and collaborative Director, Human Resources Business Partner to support employees and leaders across Italy, Spain, and international markets.

This role will provide tactical guidance and hands-on support across the employee lifecycle as the primary HR partner for regional teams. As a key member of the International HR team, you will work with the Executive Director to develop people strategies aligning global priorities with local market

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 10+ years of progressive HR experience across multiple countries/functions.
• Experience in pharmaceutical/biotech or life sciences preferred.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR compliance in supported regions.
• Proven ability to manage complex employee relations and provide business-focused guidance.
• Experience supporting commercial, medical, and corporate functions.
• Strong business acumen and stakeholder management.
• Able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
• Fluency in English; Spanish/Italian desirable.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR partner for regional teams, providing guidance across the employee lifecycle.
• Advise leaders on organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, talent management, and leadership development.
• Guide employee relations, performance management, investigations, and disciplinary processes.
• Collaborate with hiring managers to support recruitment for key roles and ensure positive onboarding experiences.
• Support regional HR programs including learning and development, talent reviews, and organizational development.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and Rhythm policies across client groups.
• Provide operational support for international benefit programs and communications.
• Develop and implement HR policies balancing business and compliance needs.
• Partner with payroll and Executive Director, International HRBP to deliver consistent employee experiences.
• Uphold ethics and integrity in all activities.

Skills

HR leadership

Employee relations

Talent management

Workforce planning

Change management

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree/HR certification preferred

Tools

HRIS/HR systems

Job description

Company Overview

Rhythm is a global, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to transforming the lives of patients living with rare neuroendocrine diseases. We develop medicines for previously untreatable or undertreated diseases. We recognize the courage it takes for patients and their caregivers to begin their journey of advocacy to find the answers they need. Their courage inspires us to challenge convention, ask bold questions and seek answers for them. Every day, we strive for excellence through our willingness to adapt, learn, and our tenacity to overcome barriers, together.

Opportunity Overview

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals is seeking an experienced and collaborative Director, Human Resources Business Partner to support employees and leaders across our Italian, Spanish, International Marketing, International Market Access and International Medical teams. As the primary HR partner for these teams, this role will provide both tactical guidance and hands-on support across the employee lifecycle.

As a key member of the International HR team, the successful candidate will work closely with the Executive Director, International HR Business Partner to develop and execute people strategies that support business growth while aligning with global priorities and local market needs.

This role is ideal for an HR leader with experience in small to mid-sized pharmaceutical or biotechnology organizations who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys building solutions, and is equally comfortable shaping strategy and rolling up their sleeves to support managers and employees directly.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Serve as the primary HR partner for employees and leaders across our Italian, Spanish, International Marketing, International Market Access and International Medical teams, providing guidance and hands-on support across the employee lifecycle.
• Act as a trusted advisor to leaders on organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, talent management, employee engagement, change management, and leadership development, helping to build high-performing and inclusive teams.
• Provide guidance on employee relations, performance management, investigations, disciplinary processes, and other workplace matters, while supporting the administration of talent processes including objective setting, employee development, and succession planning.
• Partner with hiring managers to identify talent needs, support recruitment for key commercial and medical roles, and ensure a positive candidate and onboarding experience.
• Support the execution of regional HR programs and initiatives, including learning and development, talent reviews, organizational development, and employee engagement activities.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and labor practices across their client groups, partnering with internal stakeholders and external counsel on employment law, policy, compliance, and risk management matters.
• Provide operational support for international benefit programs, including plan administration, employee guidance and communications, vendor interactions, and renewal and implementation activities across multiple countries.
• Support the development and implementation of HR policies, processes, and best practices that balance business and compliance needs.
• Collaborate closely with payroll, the broader HR team, and the Executive Director, International HR Business Partner to deliver a consistent employee experience and execute regional people strategies that support continued business growth.
• Ensure all activities are conducted in strict accordance with applicable laws, regulations, industry standards, internal compliance requirements, and Rhythm policies, while upholding the highest standards of ethics, integrity and business conduct.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree and/or HR certification preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, including significant HR Business Partner experience supporting leaders and employees across multiple countries and/or functions.
• Experience within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, or healthcare industry, preferably within a small to mid-sized, growing organization.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, labor practices, benefits, and HR compliance requirements within one or more of the countries supported.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex employee relations matters and provide practical, business-focused guidance to leaders.
• Experience supporting commercial, medical affairs, and/or corporate functions.
• Strong business acumen, communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate business strategy into effective people solutions.
• Proven ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Collaborative, pragmatic, and solution-oriented approach, with a willingness to roll up your sleeves and support the business directly.
• Ability to identify opportunities, manage complexity and priorities and liaise, influence internally to ‘make it happen’ whilst being comfortable working with uncertainty
• Not accepting the status quo, working with a sense of urgency to deliver results
• Self-starter mentality who feels comfortable working in a fast-paced environment
• Fluent English required; Spanish and/or Italian language skills are highly desirable

More about Rhythm

At Rhythm our core values are:

• We are committed to advancing scientific understanding to improve patients’ lives
• We are inspired to tackle tough challenges and have the courage to ask bold questions
• We are eager to learn and adapt
• We believe collaboration and ownership are foundational for our success
• We value the unique contribution each individual brings to furthering our mission

Inherent in our core values is the commitment to act ethically and with integrity in all we do.