European HR Director - Germany - from 170,000 plus package
HIGH PERFORMANCE LEADER COMMENCED AFTER SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYMENT OFFER
This will be the most senior HR role in Europe for this hi-tech company in accelerated growth mode globally. This is a USD half billion revenue company, seeking to double in size in a short space of time – they’re cash rich and ready to invest in measures for organic growth, and ongoing M&A activity.
They’re seeking a professional with a strong HR generalist history given this is effectively a “greenfield” site with so much to be built in terms of HR frameworks– and all needing to be scaled in line with the company’s aggressive growth plans.
Ideally this person will have a proven history of supporting B2B sales workforces preferably within the technology sector as a key stakeholder is a Commercial SVP who is hungry for pro-active HR support that matches the pace and agility of the commercial teams.
Partnering with that person and with the Global CHRO, this role will directly contribute to building frameworks for regional and global consistency, fairness and efficiency; without stifling innovation and creativity. Working in this high-tech sector, it is imperative that the workforce be encouraged and rewarded for ideas, to enable the company to continue their expansion within newly established and many as yet untapped markets. This person will need to have a focus on solutions rather than policy hurdles!
Increasing headcount for globally niche skilled talent, in a highly competitive market will be key on the agenda, and this person will additionally need to hire and develop their own HR team to provide the support needed for a rapidly expanding workforce. Talent engagement, retention and development will be critical, as will talent pipelining, be it through graduate programs or branding as an employer of choice. A significant challenge for the foreseeable future, will be the need to juggle between tactical delivery of operational necessities vs bigger picture strategy development and thought leadership.
This organisation has worked hard to keep their ‘entrepreneurial roots’ and they still have the agility of decision making (often around water coolers!) that is typical of a fast track company. However, they also have the maturity to recognise that robust frameworks will be key to enable significant and sustainable growth and it’s exciting to see they have the cash and executive support to invest in quality resources.
Our ideal professional will have a history of working successfully across the complicated matrix of multinational companies, for the first hand understanding of what “good” HR can comprise. But this professional will have also have first-hand experience of the “getting stuck in” element that is part of any young, dynamically growing organisation. A person who prefers purely strategic business partnering roles won’t enjoy this quasi-startup type environment. This really is about “rolling up your sleeves” and helping with whatever is needed to get the job done!
Advanced commercial acumen will be critical, along with credible leadership presence, and the ability to deal with “now” as the constant deadline expectation! Exposure to M&A either from due diligence and/or integration & harmonisation perspectives will be useful. Direct experience in working within the “can do” culture of a US corporate will be highly regarded.
Bi/multi lingual skills will be expected, and English is the company language. German language fluency would be nice but it is not essential. Given the international nature of this role, preference will be given to EU citizens who have lived and worked outside of their home countries.
Paying a negotiable €170,000 base + bonus + benefits package with a work base in Munich. Relocation support is available and frequent European and long haul travel should be expected.
Interested professionals can apply directly and confidentially via solutions@cartermorris.com