Senior Hr Generalist

Canonical - Jobs; Cape Town; Remote; ZAR 1 029 000 - 1 716 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading tech firm is seeking a Senior HR Generalist to support HR functions in the EMEA region. Responsibilities include managing HR processes and partnering with leadership to drive initiatives. Candidates should possess strong analytical and project management skills, with experience in a remote-first environment. Fluent English is required. This role offers a global perspective and leadership opportunities while working from home.

Benefits

Annual compensation review

Personal learning budget

Travel opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in business partnering with senior stakeholders.
• Regional HR experience within EMEA.
• Experience in a remote first organization.

Responsibilities

• Deliver HR operations in a timely manner with accuracy.
• Accountable for HR processes like onboarding and talent development.
• Coach and advise people managers on HR issues.

Skills

HR experience leading initiatives

Experience mentoring and developing others

Strong project management skills

Fluent in business English

Ability to leverage data

Self-motivated and organized

Education

Exceptional academic track record

Job description

About Canonical

Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets.

Our platform, Ubuntu, is very widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation and IoT.

Our customers include the world's leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors.

The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with

• colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office based roles.

Teams meet two to four times yearly in person, in interesting locations around the world, to align on strategy and execution. The company is founder led, profitable and growing. We require an HR function that thinks and acts globally.

Position: Senior HR Generalist – EMEA

We're looking for a Senior HR Generalist to offer their expertise to our EMEA region. It's an exciting time to join with the opportunity to help shape and create an HR function for the future.

The senior role will serve as a driver and practitioner in both regional and global HR initiatives. You will join a global team of HR professionals to provide precise, compliant and scalable HR operations to the business, advise and execute on HR issues across the whole employee life‑cycle, and partner with leadership in your region.

You will have an analytical approach, a keen eye for detail and the ability to interpret data trends and themes.

Location

This role will be based remotely in the EMEA region.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver precise and compliant HR operations in a timely manner and with the highest degree of accuracy.
• Interact closely with the EMEA HR Manager and the Global Head of HR to create impact across all HR regions.
• Be accountable for HR processes such as talent development, succession planning, performance assessments, onboarding, culture and engagement initiatives that drive a high performing team.
• Work with managers across the business on performance management, organizational design, employee engagement, rewards‑and workforce planning.
• Partner with the HRIS team to develop and refine operational processes for day‑to‑day HR administration.
• Coach and advise people managers on the full spectrum of employee relations issues across multiple countries.
• Partner with people managers to support the delivery of appropriate training and development programs.
• Establish a trusted partnership with the business in your region.
• Drive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Design new policies and deliver on business‑critical HR related projects globally.

Qualifications & Experience

• Exceptional academic track record from both high school and university.
• HR experience leading initiatives across regions within a technology business.
• Regional HR experience within EMEA (France, Germany and/or UK is a plus), with an understanding of local labor laws, competitive awareness and insights.
• Experience in business partnering with senior stakeholders.
• A good balance between leading and executing; hands‑on involvement in daily HR routines.
• Experience mentoring and developing others.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to define done and keep deliverables on track.
• Experience in working in a remote first organization.
• Ability to leverage data to make informed decisions.
• Fluent in business English (written and spoken).
• Self‑motivated, organized, accurate, confident, authentic, results‑oriented, open‑minded and enthusiastic.
• Willingness to travel up to 4 times a year for internal events.

Nice to Have Skills

• Experience with immigration policies and mobility processes.
• Payroll and/or benefits oversight experience.
• Knowledge of HR Systems and databases.
• Professional HR certification(s).
• Facilitation skills.

What We Offer

• Compensation is shaped worldwide based on geographical location, experience, and performance. We revisit compensation annually (and more often for graduates and associates) to ensure we recognise outstanding performance.
• Base pay plus a performance‑driven annual bonus.
• Team members receive additional benefits reflecting our values and ideals.
• Programs balanced to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.
• Distributed work environment with twice‑yearly team sprints in person.
• Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year.
• Annual compensation review.
• Recognition rewards.
• Annual holiday leave.
• Maternity and paternity leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues.
• Priority Pass, and travel upgrades for long‑haul company events.

About Canonical

Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source.

As the company that publishes Ubuntu, one of the most important open source projects and the platform for AI, IoT and the cloud, we are changing the world of software.

We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company.

We expect excellence – in order to succeed, we need to be the best at what we do.

Most colleagues at Canonical have worked from home since its inception.

Working here is a step into the future, and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Canonical is an equal opportunity employer. We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and background create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.

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