HR Manager - Europe

Oakleaf Partnership; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Oakleaf Partnership is seeking an experienced HR Manager to support our European operations, focusing on the UK with additional support for Germany and France. This hands-on role reports to the UK Country Manager and partners with the Global People Business Partner to deliver effective people practices across the employee lifecycle.

Hybrid work in central London with four days in office; you will manage payroll coordination, employee relations, HR administration and compliance across

Qualifications

• Minimum five years' broad HR generalist experience.
• Degree in HR, Business Administration or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Strong experience in employee relations and operational HR management.
• Experience with payroll administration and external payroll providers.
• Good working knowledge of employment legislation in at least one European country.
• Experience in an international or matrix organisation desirable.
• Proficiency in HR systems, ideally SuccessFactors, and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills.
• A pragmatic, approachable and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management and offboarding.
• Act as the main HR contact for managers and employees, providing advice and guidance on day-to-day people matters.
• Manage employee relations cases, including disciplinary matters, grievances, absence management and workplace investigations.
• Oversee HR administration, employee records, contracts and HR systems, including SuccessFactors.
• Coordinate monthly payroll inputs and support benefits administration.
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation and HR requirements across the UK, Germany and France.
• Support the implementation of Group HR policies, processes and people initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with local management and the global People team.
• Support London office management, workplace health and safety and employee engagement activities.

Skills

HR generalist experience

employee relations

operational HR management

payroll administration

employment law knowledge

HR systems

Microsoft Office

Education

Degree in HR / Business Administration

Tools

SuccessFactors

Job description

• UK focus and supporting a small population in France and Germany
• Perm role
• Hybrid - 4 days in the office in central London

The Role

Our client is seeking an experienced, hands-on HR Manager to support our European operations, with primary responsibility for the UK and additional support for Germany and France.

Working closely with the UK Country Manager, Global People Business Partner and wider People team, you will provide comprehensive HR support across the employee lifecycle, ensuring people practices are effective, compliant and aligned with business objectives.

This is a varied operational role within an international, matrix organisation, combining day-to-day HR management, employee relations, payroll coordination and local office management responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management and offboarding.
• Act as the main HR contact for managers and employees, providing advice and guidance on day-to-day people matters.
• Manage employee relations cases, including disciplinary matters, grievances, absence management and workplace investigations.
• Oversee HR administration, employee records, contracts and HR systems, including SuccessFactors.
• Coordinate monthly payroll inputs and support benefits administration.
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation and HR requirements across the UK, Germany and France.
• Support the implementation of Group HR policies, processes and people initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with local management and the global People team.
• Support London office management, workplace health and safety and employee engagement activities.

About You

• Minimum five years' broad HR generalist experience.
• Degree in HR, Business Administration or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Strong experience in employee relations and operational HR management.
• Experience with payroll administration and external payroll providers.
• Good working knowledge of employment legislation in at least one European country.
• Experience in an international or matrix organisation desirable.
• Proficiency in HR systems, ideally SuccessFactors, and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills.
• A pragmatic, approachable and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities.

Languages

• Essential: Fluent written and spoken English.
• Desirable: French and/or German.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR professional to take ownership of a broad European HR remit, working closely with local leadership and global HR colleagues while contributing to a positive and engaging workplace culture.

If you are a proactive, commercially minded HR professional who enjoys working in an international environment, we would love to hear from you.