Senior HR Business Manager

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Senior HR Business Manager at WSP in Nieuwegein partners with senior leaders to drive growth and organizational change, leads the HR agenda for NL and Belgium, and steers projects with the NL HR team as Oracle ERP and ADP go live and Belgium expansion advances. You’ll need a Master or Bachelor in HR or Business Admin, proven HR business-partner experience, strong change management and process-improvement skills, solid NL labor-law knowledge plus Belgian insights, and a data-driven, HRIS-savvy mindset. Tips: tailor your CV to show strategic impact with measurable outcomes, emphasize cross-border collaboration and any M&A experience, and prepare for a three-step interview with Talent Acquisition, Head of HR Northern Europe, and executives; bring concrete examples of leading change and improving employee experience.

Position Summary

The Senior HR Business Manager plays a pivotal role in supporting the business and its people to the next phase – facilitating growth and organizational change, driving the HR agenda for the respective Business Units and taking the lead on specific projects.

This role is responsible for partnering with the business, providing solicited and unsolicited advice to (senior) leaders and managers, and the execution of the HR agenda. Key initiatives include optimizing HR processes, driving efficiency in HR service delivery, and aligning operations with regional HR strategies. Our new ERP-system (Oracle) and payroll solution (ADP) will go live next year, and we recently acquired Ricardo Rail. In addition, we are strengthening our position in Belgium.

A strong emphasis is placed on collaboration with the colleagues in the NL HR team, such as HR Advisors, HR Operations, Talent Acquisition and the broader Central Europe HR WSP team, ensuring consistency and best practice sharing. Reporting into Head of HR Northern Europe, who is also overseeing HR NL and Belgium.

Key Responsibilities

1. Change Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness

• Champion organisational change as WSP NL is entering its next chapter, driving growth, company culture and leadership development. Developing and implementing scalable solutions that align with local and regional practices, without losing sight of local circumstances and culture.

• Act as a trusted adviser to leadership, supporting leaders and managers in adapting to new ways of working and improving employee experience. Be an employee champion, resolving (complex) employee relations challenges.

• Help embed a high-performance culture, ensuring structured feedback and coaching mechanisms are in place within the Business Units. For the NL team, if needed mentor other HR colleagues, and act as sparring partner for the Head of HR Norther Europe.

• Participate in HR Project Teams, implementing workforce strategies that support business objectives across Netherlands and/or Belgium.

2. HR Operations & Process Improvement

• Help, in close collaboration with the wider HR team, standardize and optimize HR processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in Netherlands and Belgium, ensuring alignment with global and regional HR service delivery models.

• Help, in close collaboration with the wider HR team, Implement automation and digital HR solutions to improve accuracy, speed, and user experience in recruiting, performance management, and learning. Our new ERP-system (Oracle) is expected to go live in 2027.

• Develop and refine workforce analytics to provide data-driven insights for decision-making, optimizing headcount planning, employee turnover, and talent mobility. Implement and drive succession planning activities.

• Help ensure regulatory compliance and risk management by, in conjunction with HR Operations, continuously updating policies and HR processes to reflect Netherlands and/or Belgium labor laws.

3. Talent Strategy & Workforce Development

• Support and coach our Learning Coordinator (0,5 FTE), working closely with the L&D Team to deploy upskilling and development programs aligned with (local, regional and global) business needs, integrating online learning technologies and digital platforms.

• Drive internal mobility, aligning with regional learning pathways and succession planning frameworks to create a seamless employee development journey.

Required Qualifications and Key Competencies

• Education: Master’s or bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field.

• Proven experience as business partner, and expertise in operational HR transformation, process improvement, and change management. Experience in M&A Due diligence and integration is highly advantageous.

• Strong business acumen, result-oriented, pro-active and able and willing to roll up the sleeves if needed.

• Strong expertise of NL labor law, pension, insurances and overall NL HR operating framework ideally alongside experience working in a regional or global HR framework. Thorough knowledge of Belgium labour law, pensions and insurances will be an added advantage.

• Sound understanding of local labour market conditions, including pay strategy.

• Data- and technology-driven approach: Experienced in HR analytics, and HRIS systems.

• Stakeholder management focus: Ability to influence business leaders and partners effectively across local, and regional HR functions.

• Fluency in Dutch, advanced English.

What we offer

• Impact

• An ambitious HR agenda, the ability to actively contribute, combined with solid business partnering

• International exposure and collaboration

• Opportunity to build the business, people and HR

• A great sense of humour (although it is not on us to judge)

WHAT YOU’LL LIKE ABOUT US:

• A working environment inspired by belonging, driven by inclusion.

• Our flexible working policy - We recognise the importance of work-life balance and encourage you to find yours.

• WSP is about making the world around us a better place, including the environment, transport infrastructure, buildings and land use.

• Excellent career prospects. We're growing fast, and every day we strive to outdo ourselves. We are open to your ideas and want to try new things. We have a supportive environment that invests in your development and training.

• WSP is about embracing a culture of collaboration with colleagues who stand out for their skills. Come and discover our fantastic team!

OUR RECRUITMENT PROCESS:

1. Telephone interview: We'll start with a telephone interview to get to know you better and discuss your experience with the Head of Talent Acquisition & Mobility, Central Europe.

2. Manager Interview: You will meet with our Northern Region Head of HR.

3. Interview with the Executive Members: A meeting with the Managing Director - WSP Nederland and CHRO Central Europe to discuss your potential role and our strategic vision.

ABOUT US:

We are one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Our trusted employees share a common goal of making a positive and lasting impact on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity and inclusion.

Are you hesitating to apply? Go for it! We are proud to promote diversity, equal opportunities and professional integration within our teams, and we are convinced that our differences and an inclusive working environment contribute to our development. All applications will be carefully considered.

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#WeAreVisioneers

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