People Lead (Business Partner)- Nordics & Benelux

Dr. Martens; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

3 days in office

Docs discount

Docs free pair

Job summary

Dr. Martens is seeking a People Lead for Nordics & Benelux, based in Amsterdam, to translate global People frameworks into local strategies and enable strong business performance through effective people initiatives.

The role partners with market leaders and the wider People function to drive organisational effectiveness, leadership capability, engagement and compliance with local laws, balancing strategic partnership with hands-on delivery.

Qualifications

• Proven experience partnering with leaders in a multi-country or matrixed environment.
• Strong understanding of employment legislation and practices across the Nordics and Benelux.
• Ability to align people strategy with commercial and operational priorities.
• Experience supporting organisational change and growth.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted People partner to leaders across the Nordics and Benelux markets.
• Translate enterprise and regional People strategies into clear local people plans and priorities.
• Provide insight, challenge and guidance to support effective leadership decision making.
• Lead workforce planning activity to ensure right capability and capacity.
• Partner with leaders on change initiatives to manage people impacts.

Skills

People partnering

Employment law

Business acumen

Change management

Stakeholder influence

Data & insights

Cultural sensitivity

Values-led behaviour

Job description

Dr. Martens is more than a brand - it’s a global icon with over 60 years of attitude, heritage, and cultural impact. We’re a thriving, values‑driven business powered by diverse thinkers, bold doers, and people who bring their whole selves to work. If you’re ready to make your mark, you’re in the right place.

At DM, our values guide everything we do: Be Yourself, Act Courageously, Show You Care. They’re not just words - they’re how we turn passion into progress.

WHERE YOU SIT

As our People Lead- Nordics & Benelux you’ll be part of the People Team working closely with brilliant people across the business. Reporting directly to Head of People – UK, Nordics & Benelux. You’ll be at the core of fast‑moving, high‑impact initiatives shaping Dr. Martens - today and for the future. Based in our Amsterdam office.

WHERE YOU CONTRIBUTE

The People Lead - Nordics & Benelux is responsible for delivering the People agenda across the Nordics and Benelux markets, acting as a trusted advisor to leaders and enabling strong business performance through effective people strategies.

This role partners closely with market leaders and the wider People function to translate global People frameworks into locally relevant solutions. It supports organisational effectiveness, leadership capability, employee engagement and performance, while ensuring compliance with local employment legislation and internal governance.

By balancing strategic partnership with hands‑on delivery, the role plays a key part in building a high performing, values led organisation aligned to Dr. Martens’ consumer centric growth ambitions.

People Business Partnering

• Act as a trusted People partner to leaders across the Nordics and Benelux markets.
• Translate enterprise and regional People strategies into clear local people plans and priorities.
• Provide insight, challenge and guidance to support effective leadership decision making.

Organisational Effectiveness & Workplace Planning

• Support organisational design, role clarity and operating model implementation at market level.
• Lead workforce planning activity, ensuring the right capability and capacity are in place.
• Partner with leaders on change initiatives to ensure people impacts are considered and managed.

Talent, Performance & Development

• Enable performance management processes that drive accountability, clarity and development.
• Support succession planning and identification of critical roles and talent.
• Partner with Talent and Learning teams to deliver capability building initiatives aligned to market needs.

Employee Engagement & Culture

• Drive employee engagement activity and action planning using survey data and feedback.
• Champion Dr. Martens’ values and inclusive behaviours across the markets.
• Support wellbeing, retention and a positive employee experience.

Employee Relations & Compliance

• Manage employee relations matters across the Nordics and Benelux, ensuring fair, consistent and legally compliant outcomes.
• Partner with Legal and People Operations on complex cases and escalations.
• Ensure consistent application of People policies and procedures in line with local legislation.
• Managing sickness rates across the market

KEY SKILLS & CAPABILITIES

• People Business Partnering Experience: Proven experience partnering with leaders in a multi-country or matrixed environment.
• Employment Law Knowledge: Strong understanding of employment legislation and practices across the Nordics and Benelux.
• Business Acumen: Ability to align people strategy with commercial and operational priorities.
• Change & Adaptability: Experience supporting organisational change and growth.
• Stakeholder Influence: Credible advisor with strong relationship building skills.
• Data & Insight Orientation: Uses people metrics to inform decisions and prioritisation.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Ability to work effectively across different cultural contexts.
• Values Led‑Behaviour: Role ‑models authenticity, care and accountability in line with the DM Way.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Hybrid working- 3 days in office
• Welcome to the family free pair of Docs
• 65% off all Docs

READY TO FILL YOUR BOOTS?

If you’re excited to own your impact, shape the future of an iconic brand, and grow your career in a place that champions individuality — we’d love to hear from you.

At Dr. Martens, we are committed to creating an environment in which we can all be our best and bring our authentic selves to work. We encourage applications, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, or disability. Diverse and inclusive teams have a positive impact on our brand; helping us speak authentically to our consumers. We strive to develop a business where our people can thrive and feel empowered to express themselves. Because we believe everyone should feel supported and included whatever their role in the Dr. Martens community.