HR Director, Retail

ASICS EMEA; Hoofddorp; Hybrid; EUR 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Office gym access

50% ASICS gear discount

Calm app access

Runkeeper Go premium

Wellbeing programme

OpenUp Access

Four weeks international work abroad

Hybrid working model

Job summary

ASICS EMEA, based in Hoofddorp near Amsterdam, seeks an HR Director, Retail to own the HR agenda for ASICS retail across Europe. Build the three-year retail people strategy with the VP HR, create HR infrastructure, and partner with the Retail Leadership Team on talent, performance, employee relations and change.

You will lead a lean team, manage ER and multi-country compliance, and drive talent development and recruitment in a growing retail environment.

Qualifications

• Senior HRBP or HR Director in a multi-country environment
• Retail HR experience across multi-site operations
• Experience building harmonised HR practice across countries
• Proven ability to influence without direct authority
• Strong knowledge of European employment law (EMEA) across multiple jurisdictions
• Comfort delivering strategy as an individual, not relying on a large team
• Credible with senior commercial stakeholders (Retail Directors, Country Managers)

Responsibilities

• Co-create the three-year EMEA retail HR strategy with the VP HR; roll out tools and practices across markets
• Act as strategic partner to the Retail Leadership Team on people matters during growth and change
• Directly manage the HR Retail Manager in Hoofddorp and coordinate country HR Advisors across EMEA
• Own employee relations and compliance across jurisdictions; lead restructures and works council engagements
• Lead talent management, leadership development, and collaboration with L&D for store populations
• Partner with Talent Acquisition on retail recruitment strategy and workforce planning

Skills

10+ years in HR

Retail HR

HR across countries

Influence without authority

EMEA employment law

Strategic thinker

Stakeholder management

Job description

Based at our EMEA headquarters in Hoofddorp, near Amsterdam, you will own the HR agenda for ASICS's retail business across Europe. This is a new, dedicated role created to give our growing retail organisation the strategic HR partnership it deserves - someone who can co-create the three-year retail people strategy with the VP HR, build the HR infrastructure to support it, and partner closely with our Retail Leadership Team on everything from talent and performance to employee relations and change.

HR Director, Retail

This is a genuine build opportunity. ASICS Europe is investing in retail: new stores, new markets, new ambitions, and the HR infrastructure to support that growth is yours to shape. You will bring consistency and clarity to people practices across our EMEA retail markets, working through a matrix of country HR Retail Advisors and with one direct report based in Hoofddorp. With a lean team and broad scope, you will need to be as comfortable rolling up your sleeves as you are setting the strategic direction. If you are energised by building from the ground up, earning trust through results, and leaving a real mark on a growing retail business, then this is the role for you.

Your key responsibilities will be:

• Retail People Strategy - co-create the three-year EMEA retail HR strategy with the VP HR; develop and roll out retail-specific HR toolkits, programmes and practices that translate business objectives into practical people outcomes across all markets.
• Strategic Business Partnering - serve as a trusted partner and coach to the Retail Leadership Team on all people matters; lead HR support for growth, transformation and change initiatives across the EMEA retail estate.
• Matrix Leadership & Team Development - directly manage the HR Retail Manager in Hoofddorp; align and inspire country HR Retail Advisors across EMEA through influence, not hierarchy, to deliver consistent people practices across markets.
• Employee Relations & Compliance - own complex ER matters across EMEA retail jurisdictions; ensure compliance with employment legislation across countries; lead restructures, consultations and works council or union engagement where applicable.
• Talent Management & Leadership Development - lead retail talent calibration, succession planning and capability-building; partner with L&D on retail-specific learning and development initiatives designed for store populations.
• Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning — partner with TA on retail recruitment strategy; drive initiatives to improve candidate quality, speed of hiring and retention; support store openings and retail transformation projects.

You have the following skills and experience:

• 10+ years in HR - with experience as a senior HRBP or HR Director in a multi-country international environment.
• Retail HR expertise - with proven experience in a multi-site retail or consumer-facing business; understands store operations, seasonal workforce dynamics and field-facing ER complexity.
• Track record of building or harmonising HR practice across countries - toolkits, policy frameworks, change programmes; has run restructures, store closures or works council consultations.
• Experienced in influence-without-authority leadership - drives results through country partners and matrix teams without relying on direct headcount.
• Strong EMEA employment law knowledge across at least one to two European jurisdictions; experienced with multi-country ER risk and restructure consultation.
• Comfortable setting strategy and personally delivering it - not dependent on a large team to execute; energised by being an individual contributor at Director level.
• Strong stakeholder credibility at senior commercial level - able to coach and challenge Retail Directors and Country Managers on people matters with confidence.

Our commitment to your wellbeing:

• We're dedicated to ensuring that every team member experiences the joy and benefits of movement. To support your wellbeing, we offer:
• Access to office gym and sports membership discount.
• Exclusive 50% discount on ASICS gear.
• Unlimited access to the Calm app for better sleep and mental fitness.
• Complimentary premium subscription to our Runkeeper Go app.
• A comprehensive wellness programme consisting of exercise and educational sessions.
• Professional support and meditation classes are available through OpenUp Access.
• Working abroad for four weeks every year.
• Hybrid working model. Combine the flexibility of working from home with the dynamic energy of an office environment.