Senior HR Manager, Switzerland and France

To support its continued growth and people agenda, our client is seeking an experienced Senior HR Manager to lead Human Resources activities across Switzerland and France. This position offers an opportunity to act as a strategic partner to business leaders while maintaining a hands-on approach to all aspects of HR.

Strategic HR Business Partnering

• Partner with senior leaders to align people strategies with business objectives.
• Provide expert guidance on organizational design, workforce planning, leadership effectiveness, and employee engagement.
• Coach managers on people management best practices and leadership challenges.
• Support business transformation and change management initiatives.

Employee Relations

• Lead and manage complex employee relations cases, including performance management, disciplinary matters, grievances, workplace investigations, and conflict resolution.
• Ensure consistent application of HR policies and procedures.
• Provide pragmatic advice while balancing business needs and legal requirements.
• Foster a positive and high-performing workplace culture.

Talent Management & Development

• Support recruitment efforts for key positions.
• Drive succession planning and talent review processes.
• Partner with managers to identify development opportunities and build organizational capability.
• Promote employee development and career progression initiatives.

Compensation & Benefits

• Support annual compensation and bonus review processes.
• Advise managers on compensation-related matters and market competitiveness.
• Partner with Finance and external providers to ensure effective reward practices.

HR Operations & Compliance

• Oversee the full employee lifecycle, from onboarding through to offboarding.
• Ensure compliance with Swiss employment legislation and support the French entity in collaboration with external advisors where appropriate.
• Maintain HR policies, procedures, and employee documentation.
• Support payroll and benefits administration activities.

HR Projects & Organizational Development

• Lead and contribute to local, regional, and global HR initiatives.
• Support culture, engagement, wellbeing, and diversity initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement of HR processes and practices.

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of progressive HR experience, ideally within international and matrixed organizations.
• Proven HR Business Partnering experience supporting senior stakeholders.
• Strong background in employee relations and employment law.
• Solid knowledge of Swiss labour law.
• Exposure to French employment practices is highly desirable.
• Experience managing organizational change and transformation initiatives.

Skills

• Strong commercial mindset and business acumen.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Confident operating at both strategic and operational levels.
• Strong coaching, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work autonomously while building effective partnerships across the business.

Education

• Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or a related discipline.
• HR certification (HRSE or equivalent) is an advantage.

Languages

• Fluent English and French are essential.
• Additional European languages would be considered an asset.