HR / People Site Lead (EMBL)

TL;DR

HR / People Site Lead (hirify.global) (HR leadership): Leading site-based HR operations and developing people services for an international scientific organisation with an accent on employee relations, talent acquisition, and organisational change. Focus on advising senior scientific leaders, improving HR processes, and supporting the adoption of AI tools and HR ERP systems in a complex matrix environment.

Location: Heidelberg, Germany

Salary: From €6,852.15 gross monthly equivalent after tax, excluding pension and health insurance contributions

Company

International, curiosity-driven life sciences research organisation advancing scientific discovery and human health through collaborative research and modern technologies.

What you will do

• Lead and develop a site-based team covering HR partnering, people advisory, talent acquisition, and HR operations.
• Advise Directors, Heads of Unit, scientific leaders, and operational managers on practical people solutions.
• Oversee day-to-day HR delivery, recruitment, employee lifecycle services, and complex employee relations matters.
• Support organisational design, restructures, change programmes, policy development, and local HR initiatives.
• Improve HR processes and contribute to transformational projects involving AI tools, ERP systems, and financial systems.
• Build effective relationships with the Staff Association, external stakeholders, and wider Administration and Operations teams.

Requirements

• University degree or professional training in Human Resources Management or a related field.
• Substantial experience as a senior HR generalist or senior HR business partner with leadership responsibility.
• Strong experience handling complex employee relations with sound judgement and minimal escalation.
• Ability to build credibility with senior leaders and highly accomplished technical or scientific experts.
• Experience with change management or function-wide policy development and a track record in multicultural, matrix organisations.
• Fluent English is required.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with Workday or comparable HR ERP systems.
• Experience in higher education, research, academic, international, or multi-country environments.
• Experience in fast-paced research, development, or technical sectors.
• German or another language spoken at one of the organisation's sites.

Culture & Benefits

• International, inclusive, community-oriented, and flexible working culture.
• Five-year renewable contract, up to a maximum of nine years.
• Private medical insurance, pension scheme, and additional insurance coverage.
• 30 days of annual leave plus public holidays.
• Relocation support, visa exemptions for successful international applicants, and family-related allowances.
• Heidelberg campus facilities including shuttle transport, cafeteria, library, sports, and social clubs.

Hiring process

• Submit a CV and cover letter through the online application system.
• Applications close on 30 August 2026 at 23:59 CET.
• A response is expected within two weeks after the closing date.