HR Manager

We are seeking an experienced HR Manager to join our dynamic and high-growth organisation. This role will be pivotal in driving the execution of the Company’s people strategy across Europe, ensuring compliance with local employment legislation, and act as an escalation point for people matters enabling a positive employee experience.

The HR Manager will act as a trusted advisor to business leaders, providing guidance on complex employee relations and supporting managers through challenging conversations. In addition, the role will serve as the subject matter expert (SME) on European employment law within the People Function, ensuring best practices and risk mitigation across the region. The ideal candidate will have a robust background in European employment law, will be savvy on HR best practices, and will possess a proven ability to proactively suggest policy improvements and process simplification for our European locations.

A key focus for the HR Manager role will be to deploy bespoke programmes for DCS employees in Europe which strategically support the DCS People agenda. There is no better time to join DCS as we are scaling to 5x in value before 2030 and our long standing customer relationships are securing a sustainable growth for many generations to come. As such, the Company is committed to offer its best support to employees and to create the correct ecosystem for them to thrive, which this role is being a primary example.

The DCS People Team is dynamic and internationally based, it’s entirely made of innovative and problem-solving minds that are confident in their ability to innovate and to do even better tomorrow than we do today.

Key Responsibilities:

HR Strategy and Alignment:

• Support the HRBPs through the execution of workforce planning, talent development, and organisational change initiatives.
• Collaborate with business leaders to align HR initiatives with organisational goals and regional priorities.
• Collaborate with the DCS People Team to implement HR initiatives locally.
• Ensure that local HR activities are aligned with company’s objectives and way of operating.

Employee Relations, Compliance and Legal:

• Ensure compliance with all European employment laws and regulations and regulatory requirements.
• Manage complex employee relations cases, ensuring fair and consistent application of policies and best market practices.
• Monitor legislative changes and proactively update internal practices to maintain compliance. Develop and maintain new HR policies and procedures that comply with local laws and support business goals.
• Be a primary point of contact for line managers based in Europe who require coaching and guidance on dealing with difficult conversations.
• Foster a positive work environment by addressing employee issues in a timely fashion, conduct investigations, and resolving conflicts in accordance with European employment laws and in such a way to bring the best outcome for all parties involved.

HR Governance & Risk Management:

• Act as the regional SME for employment law and HR compliance, which is also critical to sustaining ESG certifications.
• Ensure adherence to company policies and support investigations as required.

Recruitment and Talent Management:

• Execute talent management and retention strategies to attract, develop and retain key talent in Europe, ensuring alignment with business objectives and future workforce needs.
• Support selection decisions, conducting interviews when required, and ensuring any initial concerns are addressed effectively and timely to promote engagement, productivity and integration.
• Collaborate with the Talent Acquisition Specialist to monitor market trends, review any compromises due to skills shortages in the Data Centre industry, and support the implementation of innovative sourcing solutions as required.
• Support internal mobility and succession planning initiatives, collaborating with line managers to identify high-potential employees and think of development pathways that strengthen organisational capability.

Performance Management:

• Guide line managers on how to manage performance for their team on an ongoing basis, from goals setting, through to regular talent reviews, 1:1 check in, mid-year and end of year appraisal process, and ensure timely feedback and development plans for employees based in Europe.
• Support managers in addressing performance issues and implementing improvement plans.

Training and Development:

• Identify training needs with line managers and liaise with the DCS Talent Development Specialist and the HRBP for the function to identify development solutions for employees in Europe that enhance individual skills and knowledge.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and professional development.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Advise the Total Reward team on compensation and benefits practices in line with company’s market positioning and local regulations.
• Support the DCS Reward Specialist with compensation market analysis for Europe to ensure competitive total comp packages in the fast evolving Data Centre market.

HR Reporting and Metrics:

• Collaborate with HR Business Partners to analyse people data, identify internal and external trends, and translate insights into actionable plans that drive business outcomes and that support strategic decision-making.
• Monitor and track DCS People Objectives and KPIs throughout the fiscal year, ensuring progress against targets and implementing corrective actions where necessary.

Qualifications and Experience

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex employee relations issues with discretion and professionalism.
• Demonstrated ability to manage WC committees and to defend the employer’s interests at all times whilst doing the right thing for employees.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment and manage competing priorities effectively.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with fluency in English and French (additional European languages a plus).
• Evidence of Level 7 equivalent of relevant qualifications.
• Proven experience in HR management within a European context, ideally across multiple jurisdictions.
• Strong understanding of European employment laws and regulations and HR best practices.
• Experience working effectively with an internationally disperse People Team, preferably with experience driving corporate initiatives from HQ as well local coordination in Europe.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to handle highly sensitive information.
• Proficiency in HR software and Microsoft Office Suite.

Key Competencies:

• Business Acumen.
• Effective engagement and Influence.
• Problem Solving and astute thinking.
• Experience coaching line managers.
• Adaptability and Flexibility.
• Employee Relations.
• Effective Performance Management