HR Business Partner – International

Overview

In this role you will act as a trusted HR partner for Howden’s international offices, blending hands-on HR delivery with strategic advisory across Europe and beyond. You will shape and execute an improved HR operating model, ensure compliant people practices, and partner with senior leaders to manage cross-border employee relations and talent processes. You’ll work closely with local teams to harmonise policies, contracts, and HR processes while leveraging data to drive decisions. This is an opportunity to scale HR services in a dynamic, multi-jurisdictional environment and contribute to Howden’s international growth.

Pay / Benefits

• hybrid working
• flexible hours
• reasonable adjustments
• global exposure
• career development opportunities
• supportive culture

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver an improved HR operating model for international locations
• Provide pragmatic, commercially-minded HR advice to leaders outside the UK
• Advise on local employment law and market practice across multiple European jurisdictions
• Lead end-to-end cross-border employee relations casework
• Support international recruitment and onboarding in collaboration with TA and partners
• Manage or support cross-border HR projects (policy harmonisation, restructures, TUPE, M&A, new markets)
• Oversee core HR cycle activities (performance management, salary reviews, bonus, succession planning)
• Advise on compliant approaches to entering new territories (employer of record, entity setup, transfers)
• Build relationships with local HR, finance, legal, and compliance to align HR with regulatory obligations
• Utilise HR data to identify trends and inform recommendations
• Govern employment documentation and policy alignment across jurisdictions
• Promote best practice and continuous improvement in HR processes and systems
• Support engagement, DEI, wellbeing, and organisational design in scaling international business

Key requirements

• Proven HR generalist/HRBP experience in a complex, multi-jurisdictional or international organisation
• Solid knowledge of employment legislation and HR practices across multiple European countries
• Experience managing cross-border employee relations cases
• Track record of partnering with senior stakeholders
• Experience leading HR projects (policy harmonisation, restructures, TUPE, M&A, entity setup)
• Fluency in English and at least one other European language; additional languages preferred
• Comfort working in a small HR team with both strategic and hands-on delivery
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with cultural sensitivity
• Good knowledge of HRIS and HR data/reporting

• strong communication
• relationship-building
• cultural sensitivity
• HRIS and HR data/reporting
• employment law across Europe
• policy harmonisation and implementation

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