Human Resources Director

Colorcon, Inc.; Dartford; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company in Dartford is seeking an experienced Human Resources Director to lead its EMEA region. You will develop and execute a regional HR strategy, manage all HR functions, and serve as a strategic advisor to senior management. The ideal candidate has significant leadership experience, strong knowledge of UK employment law, and is fluent in English. A master's or bachelor's degree in human resources is required, along with a willingness to travel within EMEA.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of senior leadership experience, ideally at Head of or Director level within EMEA.
• Strategic thinker able to convert business goals into actionable HR initiatives.
• In-depth knowledge of UK employment law, and broader EMEA employment law understanding.

Responsibilities

• Manage all HR functions, including employee relations and performance management.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to EMEA MD and Global HR VP.
• Promote a high-performance culture emphasizing engagement and diversity.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Exceptional influencing skills

Fluency in English

Pragmatic approach

Education

Master’s or bachelor’s degree in human resources

Job description

Human Resources Director

Colorcon® is a world leader in the development, supply and technical support of formulated film coating systems, modified release technologies, specialty excipients and functional packaging for the pharmaceutical, nutritional, and animal health industries. Our best‑class products and technologies are complemented by our extensive formulation experience, application data and value‑added services to support all phases of solid oral dose design, development, and manufacture.

Our focus on market issues and technology development has earned Colorcon an international reputation as a pharmaceutical supplier of choice. That reputation is based on superior product quality, unparalleled technical support, extensive regulatory assistance and reliable supply from multiple locations, with our Global Headquarters located in Harleysville, Pennsylvania.

Colorcon has 26 technical service laboratories globally and more than 2100 employees exclusively dedicated to its customer base.

We are a successful company thanks to our diverse workforce and global reach. We believe that our operating principles define our culture, values and organizations and are key to achieving our mission and vision, strategies and goals.

Company Culture

• Platinum Rule: We treat others the way they want to be treated
• Empowerment: We trust our colleagues with responsibility and decision‑making
• Keep Getting Better: We create an environment for constant improvement, to be the best we can
• Teamwork: We embrace the value of collaboration; work together to exceed what is possible as individuals
• Customer Focus: We put our customers’ needs at the heart of everything we do
• Global Respect: We are citizens of a diverse world and behave with respect for the communities in which we operate

Colorcon is committed to maintaining a diverse workforce and an inclusive and equitable work environment. This includes all employment‑related decisions and business dealings on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

We are seeking an experienced Human Resources Director (HRD) to lead our EMEA region, reporting directly to the EMEA Managing Director and functionally to the VP of Global Human Resources. As a key member of the Regional Leadership Team, you will develop and execute a regional HR strategy supporting sustainable growth and business performance, while actively participating in the global HR community.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all HR functions, including employee relations, performance management, learning and development, rewards, and organizational design.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the EMEA MD, Global HR VP, and senior stakeholders on people‑related matters.
• Promote a high‑performance culture emphasizing engagement, well‑being, and diversity & inclusion.
• Develop and lead the HR team, fostering best practices, innovation, and regulatory compliance.
• Advise managers on change management, organizational development, and succession planning.
• Contribute to and help shape the Global HR strategy, collaborating with other regional HRDs.

Minimum Qualifications

• 8–10 years of senior leadership experience, ideally at Head of or Director level within EMEA.
• Strategic thinker able to convert business goals into actionable HR initiatives.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• In‑depth knowledge of UK employment law; understanding of broader EMEA employment law (especially France) is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience leading cultural change with strong business acumen.
• Pragmatic, hands‑on approach.
• Fluency in English; proficiency in an additional language is a plus.
• Willingness to travel approximately 25% of the time (within EMEA and occasionally to the USA and other regions).
• Master’s or bachelor’s degree in human resources.
• Potential to take on a more senior role.

Location

Flagship House, Victory Way,
Crossways, Dartford, DA2 6QD
United Kingdom