Human Resources Advisor
Key Skills
Job Description
Amsterdam | 32-40 per week Reports to: Head of HR The HR Advisor is the first point of contact for employees and managers on people matters, with a focus on employee relations and wellbeing. The role provides practical, credible advice on challenging situations, manages the HR mailbox, and is a visible presence across the clubs, supporting managers and employees where they work. We aim to build a happy, healthy workforce by giving our employees the support and encouragement to look after their wellbeing, and we step in as an employer when it is needed. Our values are: we do, we care, we challenge, we energize. We expect you to live these values every day, uphold them in how you work and make decisions, and act as an ambassador for them across the clubs and the wider business. Key responsibilities Employee relations Advise and support managers through the full range of employee relations casework, including performance management, misconduct, dismissal and other challenging workplace situations Escalate complex or contentious ER cases to the Head of HR and liaise with external legal counsel where necessary Have informal and formal conversations with employees and managers about workplace challenges, acting as a trusted, approachable point of contact Sickness absence management Lead wellbeing conversations with employees and managers, identifying early risk factors and supporting healthy attendance Manage longer term absence cases including liaison with the company doctor Advise managers and employees throughout the absence process on rights, obligations and next steps Support reintegration trajectories, including first- and second-track planning, progress monitoring, and documentation for UWV compliance Query handling & employee support Act as first-line response for the HR mailbox, triaging and resolving queries or escalating where appropriate Provide clear, accurate guidance to employees and managers on policy, process and contractual matters Continuous improvement Spot patterns in queries and cases and suggest process or policy improvements Support wider HR projects and initiatives as needed Requirements Experience Minimum 6 years’ HR experience, ideally in a multi-site or fast-paced environment Demonstrable experience handling employee relations casework, including conflict resolution, performance issues and disciplinary/dismissal processes in The Netherlands Demonstrable experience managing sickness absence cases in line with Dutch legislation (Wet Poortwachter) Knowledge Strong working knowledge of Dutch employment law, including dismissal grounds/procedures and sickness absence and reintegration obligations (Wet Poortwachter) Understanding of GDPR requirements as they apply to HR data and investigations Skills & attributes Confident, credible communicator, able to build trust quickly with employees at all levels and handle sensitive or difficult conversations with sound judgement Discreet and comfortable handling confidential and sensitive matters Resilient, able to remain calm and objective when managing conflict or high-pressure situations Comfortable being out of the office and visiting sites regularly Embodies and champions our values: we do, we care, we challenge, we energize Fluent English and Dutch required What success looks like ER cases are managed fairly, consistently and in line with policy and legislation Sickness absence cases are managed compliantly and proactively, minimising long-term absence Employees and managers across clubs know who the HR Advisor is and feel comfortable raising issues with them The HR Advisor is a visible ambassador for our values across the business We offer Competitive salary 26 holidays + public holidays (includes your birthday off) based on full-time employment Well-being matters: you and your family get unlimited access to OpenUp, our mental health and well-being partner Free membership for you and a +1 of your choice in all of our labels (NL + UK included) Volunteering leave (1 day pr. year) 3% employer pension contribution with Vive 10 remote work days pr. year role dependant, based on full-time employment (within the European timezones) Daily fresh fruit Coffee & tea
Core Responsibilities
Advise employees and managers on employee relations matters, including performance, misconduct, dismissal, conflict, and sickness absence, while escalating complex cases when needed. Manage the HR mailbox, support compliant absence and reintegration processes, and identify opportunities to improve HR policies and processes.
Requirements
Requires at least six years of HR experience, including employee relations casework and sickness absence management under Dutch legislation. Candidates need strong knowledge of Dutch employment law, the Wet Poortwachter, and GDPR, along with sound judgment, discretion, resilience, regular site-visit availability, and fluency in English and Dutch.
Benefits
- 26 Holidays Plus Public Holidays
- Birthday Off
- Unlimited Mental Health and Well-Being Support
- Free Membership for Employee and One Guest
- Volunteering Leave
- 3% Employer Pension Contribution
- 10 Remote Work Days per Year
- Fresh Fruit
- Coffee and Tea
About Urban Gym Group
Industry: Health, Wellness & Fitness
Company size: 501-1,000 employees
Urban Gym Group (UGG) is a leading fitness and wellness company with more than 60 clubs and studios across major cities in the Netherlands and London. Known for pushing boundaries in fitness innovation, UGG creates concepts that unite performance, recovery, design and community. Its diverse portfolio includes TrainMore, located in iconic urban buildings and rewarding members for every workout; Gymbox, the bold London fitness brand known for cutting edge classes and a culture driven atmosphere; Clubsportive, a premium club in Amsterdam’s Zuidas; and boutique concepts such as The CLB, RUSH, PILAT3S and TRIB3, each offering a distinct, high energy training experience. UGG also operates Gym Warehouse, its sustainable label committed to giving fitness equipment a second life. Together, these brands reflect UGG’s mission to elevate the fitness landscape through hospitality, quality and community impact.