Senior HR Generalist

Claire McGonigle; Leinster; Hybrid; EUR 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascension Executive Recruitment is seeking an experienced Senior HR Generalist to join a fast-paced, multinational team. You will oversee the full employee lifecycle, advise management on people issues, and drive best practices in HR across Europe.

The role balances strategic initiatives with operational delivery, requiring strong stakeholder management and a proactive approach to change in a growing business.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR is mandatory.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a generalist HR role.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation and HR best practice.
• Experience in Employee relations, Industrial relations, performance management, compensation & benefits, recruitment & talent acquisition.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate all recruitment and onboarding activities, ensuring workforce requirements are met.
• Support the delivery of the HR strategy, aligning people initiatives with business objectives.
• Provide guidance on employee relations, employment law, and HR best practice.
• Partner with managers to build people capability and support growth.
• Develop and maintain HR policies and procedures ensuring compliance with legislation.
• Oversee payroll and benefits administration for accuracy and compliance.
• Manage employee engagement initiatives and retention strategies.
• Conduct workforce planning and support succession planning and career development.
• Identify training needs and coordinate learning and development programmes.
• Develop job descriptions, competency frameworks, and org structures.
• Build relationships with external providers and stakeholders nationally and internationally.
• Ensure HR reporting and GDPR compliance.

Skills

Employee relations

Industrial relations

Performance management

Talent acquisition

HR policies

Communication

Stakeholder management

Organizational skills

GDPR compliance

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Our client is seeking an experienced and proactive Senior HR Generalist to join their growing team.

This is a broad and hands-on HR role, offering the opportunity to influence people strategy while managing the full employee lifecycle across multiple European jurisdictions. The successful candidate will act as a trusted advisor to management and employees, ensuring best practice in employee relations, recruitment, performance management, compliance, learning and development, and reward.

This position would suit a highly organized HR professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys balancing strategic initiatives with operational HR delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate all recruitment and onboarding activities, ensuring workforce requirements are met efficiently and cost-effectively.


• Support the delivery of the company’s HR strategy, aligning people initiatives with business objectives and company values.


• Provide expert guidance on employee relations, industrial relations, performance management, employment law, and HR best practice.


• Partner with managers to build people capability, manage employee performance, and support organisational growth.


• Develop and maintain HR policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with employment legislation


• Oversee payroll and benefits administration, ensuring accuracy and compliance at all times.


• Manage employee engagement initiatives, reward and recognition programmes, and retention strategies.


• Conduct workforce planning and support succession planning and career development initiatives.


• Identify organisational training needs and coordinate learning and development programmes, including staff inductions.


• Develop and maintain job descriptions, competency frameworks, and organisational structures.


• Build and manage relationships with external training providers and key stakeholders nationally and internationally.


• Ensure the highest standards of HR reporting, employee data management, and GDPR compliance.


• Support the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and employee wellbeing programmes.


• Promote a positive HSEQ culture and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the business.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources


• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a generalist HR role.


• Strong knowledge of employment legislation and HR best practice.


• Proven experience in:
  
  
  
  • Employee Relations
  
  
  • Industrial Relations
  
  
  • Performance Management
  
  
  • Compensation & Benefits
  
  
  • Recruitment & Talent Acquisition
  
  
  
  


• Experience building trusted relationships with employees and management teams.


• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder management skills.


• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.


• Exceptional attention to detail, organisational, and administration skills.


• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.


• Positive, flexible, and solutions-focused approach.

Desirable Requirements

• CIPD qualification or equivalent HR accreditation.


• Postgraduate qualification in Human Resources or Industrial Relations.


• Train the Trainer qualification.


• Ergonomic/DSE Assessor certification.


• First Aid and Fire Warden certification.