HR Integration Lead - 12 month FTC

RWS; Maidenhead; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

RWS is seeking an experienced HR Integration Lead to drive end-to-end integration of people operations across geographies post-acquisition. You will own the blueprint for org design, payroll alignment, global reward mapping and HR systems integration, coordinating with Finance, HRLT and legal teams to deliver on time and in line with labour regulations.

You’ll navigate cross-border regulations (TUPE, European consultation), manage talent retention and lead multi-country project teams through a

Qualifications

• Extensive operational HR or M&A integration experience, preferably in a senior HR leadership role.
• Proven track record leading cross-border HR integrations, carve-outs or restructurings across multiple countries.
• Strong knowledge of international employment law, TUPE and European consultation processes.
• Experience partnering with Finance on headcount modelling and cost management.
• HR certification (CIPD or equivalent) is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop the HR integration blueprint covering org design, payroll alignment and global reward mapping across RWS entities.
• Drive workforce synergies and talent retention initiatives.
• Lead benefits and HR systems integration.
• Oversee Employee Relations, TUPE compliance and employment governance.
• Support culture, onboarding and change management during integration.
• Ensure alignment with Legal, Tax and IT within the integration program.

Skills

Cross-border HR

TUPE compliance

Stakeholder mgmt

Finance synergy

HR leadership

English & French

Change management

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s in HR/Business

CIPD certification

Tools

HRIS platforms

Payroll systems

Job description

Job Purpose

We’re looking for an experienced HR Integration Lead to play a pivotal role in one of RWS’s exciting acquisitions. In this high impact position, you’ll lead the full HR workstream, driving the end‑to‑end integration of people operations, talent strategies, compensation & benefits and HR systems into the RWS Group HR operating model.

Job Purpose

We’re looking for an experienced HR Integration Lead to play a pivotal role in one of RWS’s exciting acquisitions. In this high impact position, you’ll lead the full HR workstream, driving the end‑to‑end integration of people operations, talent strategies, compensation & benefits and HR systems into the RWS Group HR operating model.

This is a high‑visibility, time‑bound role covering pre‑completion planning, day 1 readiness and the first 12 months of post completion integration.

You’ll translate the acquisition’s synergy plan into detailed organisational designs and workforce plans, manage key talent retention and partner closely with Finance and functional leaders to ensure workforce‑related synergies are delivered on time, in full, and in line with local labour regulations.

You’ll collaborate with HRLT, Global Reward, Talent Acquisition, Group Payroll and the Acolad HR team to ensure a well‑sequenced, culturally aligned integration that protects employee engagement and minimises flight risk of critical talent. This includes navigating the French works council and wider European consultation processes.

You’ll also work closely with the wider integration programme- Legal, Tax, Finance and IT/CTPO, ensuring HR dependencies, milestones and employee transfer timelines are fully aligned across the overall integration plan.

About HR

Our business is nothing without our people. As part of our global Human Resources team, you will be supporting over 8,000 people, across 100 legal entities in 43 different countries. We have a vibrant and nurturing culture where everyone can learn, grow, and thrive. We also love ideas and exploring new ways of doing things, united by our love of language.

Key Responsibilities

Job Overview

• Develop the HR integration blueprint covering organizational structures, payroll alignment, global reward mapping, talent retention and local HR compliance across RWS entities.
• Workforce Synergies, Org Design & Talent Retention
• Benefits & HR Systems Integration
• Employee Relations, TUPE & Employment Compliance
• Culture, Onboarding & Change Management
• Continuous Improvement & Governance

Key Skills Required

• Extensive operational HR or M&A integration experience, with a good proportion in a senior HR leadership role.
• Proven track record of leading cross-border HR integrations, carve-outs, or organizational restructurings in a complex, multi-country environment.
• Strong expertise in international employment law, specifically TUPE compliance, European collective consultation processes (with French labor/Works Council regulation know-how is a preference).
• Demonstrated experience partnering with Finance on synergy tracking, financial headcount modeling, and restructuring cost management.
• Professional HR Certification (CIPD or equivalent) is highly desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or a related field.
• Strong English language skills; plus French language skills are highly beneficial.
• Practical experience working with enterprise HRIS platforms and navigating complex employee data migrations.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the capability to influence senior executives, build trust with employee representatives, and lead cross-functional integration project teams.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment with shifting transaction timelines and multiple concurrent project workstreams.

Life at RWS

If you like the idea of working with smart people who are passionate about growing the value of ideas, data and content by making sure organizations are understood , then you’ll love life at RWS.

Our purpose is to unlock global understanding. This means our work fundamentally recognizes the value of every language and culture. So, we celebrate difference, we are inclusive and believe that diversity makes us strong. We want every employee to grow as an individual and excel in their career.

In return, we expect all our people to live by the values that unite us: to partner, putting clients fist and winning together, to pioneer, innovating fearlessly and leading with vision and courage, to progress, aiming high and growing through actions and to deliver, owning the outcome and building trust with our colleagues and clients.

RWS embraces DEI and promotes equal opportunity, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. RWS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at RWS are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, sex, age, disability, or sexual orientation. RWS will not tolerate discrimination based on any of these characteristics.

RWS Values

Get the 3Ps right – Partner, Pioneer, Progress – and we´ll Deliver together as RWS.

Recruitment Agencies

RWS Holdings PLC does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward any unsolicited resumes to any RWS employees. Any unsolicited resume received will be treated as the property of RWS and Terms & Conditions associated with the use of such resume will be considered null and void.