Key Skills

Job Description

ABOUT THE COMPANY Our client is a well-established Dutch technical organisation with a strong track record in engineering, automation and innovative technical solutions. Over the years, the organisation has grown from a specialist technical business into a group of several activities and entities, serving clients in the Netherlands and internationally. The company combines deep technical expertise and long-standing industry experience with an increasingly entrepreneurial and forward-looking way of working. Some parts of the organisation are well established, with employees who have been with the company for many years, while other parts are growing and developing at a faster pace, creating a more dynamic, scale-up-like environment. This creates a unique mix of experience and stability on one side, and growth, change and innovation on the other. The organisation is currently going through an interesting phase of development, with new activities being built, existing businesses evolving and different ways of working coming together. It is an environment where practical thinking, ownership and collaboration are valued, and where there is genuine opportunity to make an impact and help shape the next phase of the organisation. ABOUT THE ROLE As the HR Manager, you will be the primary HR point of contact for the organisation, combining hands-on HR operations with a strong strategic perspective. You will work closely with management and take ownership of the HR agenda, ensuring that HR supports the organisation's growth, development and day-to-day needs. This is a broad role with a high level of autonomy. You will not be joining a large HR team with predefined processes and a long list of tasks. Instead, you will have the opportunity to shape and develop the HR function, identify what the organisation needs and proactively turn those needs into practical HR initiatives. WHAT WILL YOU DO HR Operations & Employee Support (20%) Own the day-to-day HR operations and act as the first point of contact for employees and management on HR-related matters. Manage and improve core HR processes, policies and documentation. Support the preparation and coordination of monthly payroll. Ensure that HR administration and processes are accurate, efficient and compliant. Support managers with employee-related questions and HR processes throughout the employee lifecycle. HR Structure & Development (40%) Build and further develop the HR foundation as the organisation grows. Develop and implement HR initiatives around areas such as performance management, employee engagement, development and retention. Identify gaps or opportunities in the current HR approach and proactively propose and implement improvements. Bring more structure and consistency to HR processes where needed, while keeping them practical and appropriate for the organisation. Strategic HR Partnership (40%) Act as a trusted HR advisor to the management team and provide practical, business-oriented HR advice. Understand the organisation's business, challenges and growth plans and translate these into relevant HR priorities. Take ownership of the HR agenda rather than waiting for management to define what needs to be done. Proactively identify people-related opportunities and risks and turn them into actionable initiatives. Support management through organisational changes, growth and the further development of the different parts of the organisation. Help shape a healthy and effective organisational culture across a diverse workforce with both long-standing employees and newer, more entrepreneurial teams. We are looking for an experienced HR professional who is comfortable being the one-person HR function and enjoys having ownership and influence. WHO YOU ARE Proactive, independent and organised — you take ownership of the HR agenda, identify priorities and turn them into action without waiting to be told what to do. Strategic, hands-on and business-minded — you can advise management on strategic people topics while staying close to day-to-day HR, translating business needs and growth plans into practical HR solutions. Strong HR generalist — you have solid knowledge across the employee lifecycle, including HR operations, performance management, employee relations and people development. A builder and improver — you enjoy creating structure, developing processes and improving the way HR works rather than simply following established practices. A trusted advisor and strong communicator — you can challenge and advise management when needed, build relationships across different levels and communicate clearly. Adaptable, pragmatic and people-oriented — you are comfortable working with both long-standing employees and newer, entrepreneurial teams, navigating different cultures while keeping both employee experience and business needs in mind.

Core Responsibilities

Own day-to-day HR operations, employee support, HR administration, and payroll coordination while developing practical HR processes and initiatives. Advise management on people priorities, identify risks and opportunities, and support organizational growth, change, and culture development.

Requirements

The role calls for an experienced HR generalist who can independently lead a one-person HR function and combine strategic advice with hands-on operational work. The ideal candidate is proactive, business-minded, organized, pragmatic, and able to build processes, advise management, and work effectively across diverse teams.