Senior HR Business Partner (Sr. HRBP)

VICO Therapeutics; Leiden; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Holiday allowance

Performance bonus

Good pension scheme

Social activities

Job summary

A leading biotech company in the Netherlands is seeking a Senior HR Business Partner to shape and implement HR strategies during a critical phase of growth and transformation. This role involves advising leadership, managing HR operations, designing leadership development initiatives, and optimizing HR processes to support organizational growth. The ideal candidate will have extensive HR experience, particularly within biotech, and a proven track record of supporting scientific leaders in transitioning to management roles. The company offers a competitive salary and an informal, friendly working environment.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years of HR experience, with 3+ years in an HRBP role.
• Experience in biotech or pharma in fast‑paced environments.
• Success in leadership development and coaching.
• Demonstrated success in leadership development, coaching, and change management.
• Deep understanding of the challenges scientists face in transitioning to leadership roles – and how to support them.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• A collaborative, hands-on, and culturally sensitive approach.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted HR advisor to managers in R&D.
• Design leadership development initiatives.
• Lead HR operations and manage the team.
• HR Process Optimization: Assess and improve HR processes and systems for growth and international expansion.
• Change Management: Lead change initiatives aligned with business needs while preserving culture.
• Culture & Engagement: Promote core values during scaling.

Skills

Progressive HR experience

Leadership development

Change management

Project management

Collaboration

Cultural sensitivity

HRIS

Tools

HRIS

Job description

The Sr. HRBP will act as a strategic advisor and trusted partner to leadership across the organization. In this role, you will help shape and implement our people strategy during a critical phase of growth and transformation. You’ll be instrumental in supporting leaders — especially scientists transitioning into people leadership roles — and strengthening our culture as we scale.

You will lead initiatives to optimize core HR processes, further professionalize our organization, develop and implement leadership development initiatives, compensation and rewards policies, and guide the organization through change. You will also manage the colleague responsible for the HR Operations. You bring a strong background in biotech/pharma, combined with a ‘roll-up your sleeves’ mentality and affinity to manage a small team. You also have experience with working with a US entity, and building scalable, future-proof HR practices.

Your key responsibilities and tasks

will include, but are not restricted to, the following:

• HR Partnership
  Act as a trusted advisor to our managers – particularly within R&D and scientific functions – supporting them in leading their teams effectively through periods of growth and change.
• Lead HR Operations
  Manage the colleague who is responsible for the HR Operations.
• Leadership Development
  Design and deliver initiatives to build core leadership capabilities, especially for first‑time people managers and scientific leaders with limited prior experience.
• HR Process Optimization
  Assess, structure, and improve key HR processes and systems in preparation for organizational growth and international expansion.
• Change Management
  Lead and support change initiatives across the organization, ensuring alignment with our evolving business needs while preserving and nurturing our strong company culture.
• Culture & Engagement
  Act as a culture ambassador, ensuring that as we scale, we remain true to our core values of collegiality, collaboration, and scientific integrity.

What you’ll bring

• 8–10+ years of progressive HR experience, including 3+ years in an HRBP or equivalent advisory role.
• Proven experience in fast‑paced, high‑growth settings – ideally within biotech or pharma.
• Experience designing and implementing HR structures, policies, and compensation frameworks in an international environment.
• Demonstrated success in leadership development, coaching, and change management.
• Deep understanding of the challenges scientists face in transitioning to leadership roles – and how to support them.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• A collaborative, hands‑on, and culturally sensitive approach.

How you’ll make an impact

In this role, you’ll shape and deliver people strategies that support our rapid growth and IPO‑readiness. While the HR Director provides overall strategic direction, you’ll bring that strategy to life – translating it into practical, team‑level solutions that work in the day‑to‑day reality of a scaling biotech environment. You’ll partner closely with leaders across the organization, guiding them through change with empathy and structure. Supporting scientific leaders as they grow into people management will be a key part of your impact – offering tailored coaching and practical advice. With a strong sense of ownership, you’ll drive and optimize HR processes that scale with the business, always with a pragmatic approach. You’ll play an active role in preserving and evolving our culture, promoting collaboration, inclusion, and scientific integrity. This is a role for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, stays grounded under pressure, and brings a high level of professionalism, integrity, and trust – while also being hands‑on and action‑oriented when it comes to getting things done.

Why join us?

• Be part of an ambitious biotech on the cusp of a major clinical and corporate milestone.
• Help shape the HR foundation of a company preparing for its next chapter.
• Competitive salary, including holiday allowance, performance bonus and good pension scheme.
• Collaborate with a brilliant, friendly, and purpose‑driven team.
• Make a lasting impact on science – and the people behind it.
• Several social activities and drinks

We offer you the opportunity to contribute to the development of medicines for rare CNS disorders. Our growing team is committed to bringing new therapeutics to those patients who need it. The company atmosphere is pleasant and informal, contributing to a particularly friendly working environment. If you’re energized by building, growing, and making a lasting impact – we’d love to receive your application which you can mail to [e-mail]