Associate Director, HR Mergers & Acquisitions

Jobtailor; Warwick; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced HR leader to oversee the HR workstream for acquisitions, divestitures, and service outsourcing projects. You will advise senior leaders on HR implications, partner with Corporate Development, Legal, and Finance, and drive HR integration from due diligence through post‑deal execution.

The role requires deep expertise in HR operating models, global employment practices, and Workday, with a track record of leading cross‑functional, international teams and

Qualifications

• 8+ years in HR roles with exposure to core HR processes such as compensation, payroll, or employee relations preferred.
• Experience leading HRBD/M&A at a global public company preferred.
• Strong understanding of HR operating models and global employment practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the HR workstream for acquisitions, divestitures, and service outsourcing transactions.
• Advise business leaders strategically on HR aspects of deals.
• Partner with Corporate Development, Legal, and Finance to shape deal strategy.
• Provide input to business cases, risk assessments, HR budget planning, deal valuation, and contractual needs.
• Lead HR deliverables across Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, Payroll, ELR, HR Services, and Workday throughout the deal cycle.
• Conduct due diligence and translate client requirements into executable HR integration solutions.
• Ensure HR readiness for client transitions, including co-determination, onboarding, and compliance.
• Support leadership alignment and organizational change management.
• Identify and manage people-related risks and ensure compliance with local laws.
• Create short- and long-term solutions for integration challenges and gaps.
• Continuously improve the operating model and update the formal HR M&A playbook.

Skills

Executive presence

Stakeholder management

Communication

Change management

Organizational skills

Growth mindset

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field

Tools

Workday

HR analytics tools

HR project management tools

Job description

• Lead and coordinate the HR workstream for acquisitions, divestitures, and service outsourcing transactions
• Advise business leaders and functional stakeholders strategically on HR aspects of deals
• Partner with Corporate Development, Legal, and Finance to shape deal strategy
• Provide input to business cases, risk assessments, HR budget planning, deal valuation, and contractual needs
• Lead HR deliverables across Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, Payroll, ELR, HR Services, and Workday throughout the deal cycle
• Conduct due diligence and translate client requirements into executable HR integration solutions
• Ensure HR readiness for client transitions, including co-determination, onboarding, and compliance
• Support leadership alignment and organizational change management
• Identify and manage people-related risks and ensure compliance with local laws
• Create short- and long-term solutions for integration challenges and gaps
• Continuously improve the operating model and update the formal HR M&A playbook

Requirements

• Growth mindset and change-agent capability
• Ability to manage multiple complex, high-profile projects simultaneously on tight timelines
• Excellent communication, stakeholder-management, influencing, and executive-presence skills
• Ability to simplify complex issues into clear options and recommendations
• Business acumen and understanding of HR impacts on deal dynamics and business performance
• Strong understanding of HR operating models and global employment practices
• Experience working with multiple countries
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional and global teams
• Employee-experience focus
• Organized and detail-oriented
• Experience with Workday, HR analytics, and project-management tools
• Proven seasoned subject-matter expertise in HRBD work, including due diligence, valuation and contracting analysis, and integration solutions
• Experience with total rewards programs and/or HR generalist, employee-relations, or works-council exposure
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field preferred
• 8+ years in HR roles with exposure to core HR processes such as compensation, payroll, or employee relations preferred
• Experience leading HRBD/M&A at a global public company preferred

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in leading HR workstreams for acquisitions and divestitures, with a strong focus on compliance, integration solutions, and stakeholder management. Proven ability to manage complex projects and provide strategic HR guidance to enhance business performance.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• HR Workstream Leadership
• Stakeholder Management
• Workday Proficiency
• HR Due Diligence Expertise
• Global HR Operating Models

Hard Skills

• HR Analytics
• Project Management
• Total Rewards Programs
• Employee Relations
• Compensation
• Payroll
• Integration Solutions
• Valuation Analysis
• Contracting Analysis
• Change Management

Soft Skills

• Excellent Communication
• Influencing Skills
• Organized
• Detail-Oriented
• Growth Mindset

Industry Keywords

• M&A
• HRBD
• Global Employment Practices
• Employee Experience
• Co-Determination

Tools & Technologies

• Workday
• HR Project Management Tools