Director Human Resources EMEA - Panavision London

Panavision; Greater London; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Panavision is hiring a Director of Human Resources EMEA based in London to shape and execute the people strategy across the EMEA region. You will lead the HR team, partner with regional and global leadership, and support Panavision Camera, Panalux Lighting, and LEE Filters.

The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on delivery, ensuring compliant HR practices across diverse countries, cultures, and regulations while driving employee experience, engagement, and organizational

Qualifications

• Extensive senior HR leadership experience within multinational, multi-country EMEA.
• Proven experience leading HR teams and supporting multiple business units or brands.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and broad understanding of EMEA labour regulations.
• Strategic thinker who remains hands-on and pragmatic.
• Experience in creative, media, entertainment, manufacturing, or technically driven environments is highly desirable.
• Ability to travel 10–20% between UK HQ locations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the EMEA HR strategy aligned with global people strategy and business objectives.
• Partner with EMEA leadership teams across supported business lines.
• Provide thought leadership on organizational design, workforce planning, and change management.
• Lead HR communications and change management during transitions.
• Ensure compliant HR practices across multiple EMEA countries and balance global standards with local requirements.
• Oversee employee relations, performance management, compensation, benefits, and HR policy implementation.
• Ensure compliance with local employment legislation and work with legal partners.
• Partner with finance to analyse and manage people spend.
• Support complex organizational matters with sound judgement and discretion.
• Lead talent acquisition, development, and succession planning across the region.
• Drive learning and development and engagement initiatives.
• Lead and develop the EMEA HR team and set development plans.
• Build strong relationships with business leaders and cross-functional teams.

Skills

Senior HR leadership

HR team leadership

UK employment law

Strategic + hands-on

Creative/entertainment/technical env

Travel 10-20%

Job description

Who we are:

For over 70 years, Panavision has set the benchmark for innovation, craftsmanship, and creative partnership. As a diversified global supplier, we proudly support filmmakers, studios, and content creators around the world with the tools, technology, and expertise that power their creative vision and bring stories to life. Our legacy is built on collaboration, and our culture reflects a community where people genuinely value working together, and take pride in our brand and empowering the artists shaping film and television today. If you’re inspired by creativity, energized by teamwork, and excited to contribute to world‑class storytelling, you’ll find a home and future at Panavision.

The Role:

The Director of Human Resources EMEA is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and executing the people strategy across the EMEA region. Based in London, this role leads the EMEA HR team and partners closely with regional and global leadership to support multiple Panavision business lines, including Panavision Camera, Panalux Lighting, and LEE Filters.

This role is both strategic and hands‑on, ensuring that HR practices support a highly creative, technical, and operational workforce across diverse countries, cultures, and regulatory environments. The Director will act as a trusted advisor to leadership while driving organisational effectiveness, talent development, employee experience and engagement across the region.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Strategic Leadership:Develop and execute the EMEA HR strategy aligned with Panavision’s global people strategy and business objectives.
• Serve as a key strategic partner to EMEA leadership teams across all supported business lines.
• Provide thought leadership on organisational design, workforce planning, and change management initiatives.
• Lead people communications and lead change management during organization transitions.
• HR Operations & Compliance:Ensure consistent and compliant HR practices across multiple EMEA countries, balancing global standards with local requirements.
• Identify and mitigate HR compliance priorities.
• Oversee employee relations, performance management, compensation, benefits, and HR policy implementation across the region.
• Ensure compliance with local employment legislation, working closely with legal partners as needed.
• Partner with the finance function to analyze and manage people spend in alignment with annual budgets.
• Support complex organisational and employee matters with sound judgement, discretion, and empathy.
• Knowledge of HR systems and tools to support the HR team modernise HR processes and systems.
• Manage EMEA HR Budget.
• Talent & Culture:Lead talent acquisition, development, and succession planning efforts across the EMEA region
• Champion learning and development initiatives to support leadership capability, critical skills development, and career progression.
• Drive employee engagement, inclusion, and wellbeing initiatives that reflect Panavision’s values and creative culture.
• Team Leadership:Lead, coach, and develop the EMEA HR team, fostering a high‑performing, collaborative, and service‑oriented function.
• Set clear priorities, expectations, and development plans for HR leaders and team members across the region.
• Create a winning team culture rich in recognition, learning mindset and self‑awareness.
• Stakeholder Partnership:Partner with global HR colleagues to ensure alignment and consistency across regions.
• Build strong relationships with business leaders, operational teams, and creative professionals across Panavision’s diverse workforce.
• Partner closely with the finance team to drive the tracking and analysis of people costs.
• Ensure communication and support to provide all inputs needed for key financial processes such as budgeting, month end closes, P&L preparation etc.

What you’ll bring to the role:

Skills & Experience

• Extensive senior-level HR leadership experience within a multinational, multi-country EMEA environment.
• Proven experience leading HR teams and supporting multiple business units or brands.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and broad understanding of EMEA labour regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to operate strategically while remaining hands‑on and pragmatic.
• Experience in creative, media, entertainment, manufacturing, or technically driven environments is highly desirable.
• Ability to travel 10‑20% of the time especially between UK headquarters locations for Panavision and Panalux (Greenford and Hayes).

Personal Attributes

• Trusted advisor with strong influencing and communication skills.
• Commercially minded with financial fluency, and the ability to balance people priorities and business outcomes.
• Culturally aware, inclusive, and comfortable working across diverse teams and geographies.
• Resilient, adaptable, and confident navigating change and complexity.

If you have the skills, experience and drive to lead our HR EMEA function in the exciting world of filmmaking,