Most companies claim to have the best people. We say to them, "Keep dreaming." Our people are second to none. They set us apart with their entrepreneurial spirit and ambition. They come to us from the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Starbucks and the sports world, bringing energy, bold ideas and a willingness to dive into the unfamiliar. It's our people that make BDA the top global Merchandise Agency to work for.
At BDA, HR Business Partners are expected to operate as business partners first and HR leaders second. The role is not focused on administering HR programs. It is focused on helping leaders build organizations capable of achieving business objectives.
As the Senior Human Resources Business Partner supporting our rapidly growing EMEA division, you will serve as the primary HR partner to approximately 10 Directors and 110 employees across the UK, France, and Germany. These teams operate in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments where business priorities, organizational needs, and client demands evolve quickly.
Success in this role requires developing a deep understanding of the businesses you support including their strategic objectives, financial performance, organizational structures, talent needs, compensation frameworks, and operational challenges. You will be expected to understand how each business creates value, where it is headed, and what organizational capabilities are required to achieve its goals, then work to support these activities.
As a member of the leadership team supporting these organizations, you will participate in business discussions and decision making as a trusted advisor. The role requires the ability to influence leaders, challenge thinking when necessary, and help navigate organizational decisions through both a business and people lens. You will be expected to understand and leverage BDA's performance culture, including WIGs, Performance Scorecards, compensation and incentive frameworks, and leadership expectations.
A significant portion of the role centers on talent and organizational strategy. Working closely with business leaders, you will evaluate cross functional organizational effectiveness, identify capability gaps, assess talent, develop succession strategies, and help ensure the business has the leadership and talent necessary to achieve its objectives. You will partner with Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Compensation & Benefits, and other HR functions to attract, develop, reward, and retain high-performing employees while building organizational capability for the future.
The role also plays a key part in organizational change, leadership transitions, acquisition integration, and other strategic initiatives that support BDA's continued growth. Success will be measured not by HR activity, but by the strength of leadership teams, organizational effectiveness, talent outcomes, employee performance, and the overall success of the businesses you support.
The ideal candidate is operations minded, comfortable working with senior leaders, and capable of translating business strategy into practical people solutions. This individual brings strong business acumen, sound judgment, executive presence, and the ability to influence outcomes in a fast-moving, performance-driven environment.
Location/Compensation: Manchester, UK; Luton, UK; Kissing, Germany. BDA prefers employees to work from a company office 4-days per week, with one day work from home and requires regular travel to our EMEA offices, participation in HR team meetings, and periodic travel to other BDA locations as business needs require. Additionally, our compensation for these roles is based on experience, client group size, and geography. Compensation in the UK starts at 83,000 (GBP) and in Germany at 95,000 (Euros) with a 15% bonus.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the primary HR partner for leaders and employees across the UK, France, and Germany, providing strategic and hands-on support across the employee lifecycle.
- Coach and advise leaders on organizational design, workforce planning, talent development, performance management, and change leadership.
- Lead and support complex employee relations matters, including investigations, performance concerns, grievances, disciplinary processes, absence management, and exits.
- Partner with Legal and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure HR practices align with country-specific employment requirements and company policies.
- Support organizational changes and business initiatives with thoughtful planning, communication, and risk assessment.
- Use people data and workforce insights to identify trends, recommend actions, and improve engagement, retention, and organizational effectiveness.
- Collaborate with Talent Acquisition, Compensation & Benefits, Payroll, People Operations, and other HR partners to deliver a strong and consistent employee experience.
- Support consultation and employee representation processes where required, including engagement with local employee representatives or works councils.
What You Bring
- Strong HR business partnering or senior HR generalist experience in a multinational environment, ideally supporting multiple European countries.
- Experience supporting employees or business leaders in the UK, France, and/or Germany, including employee relations and change-related matters.
- Strong knowledge of employment practices, consultation requirements, and HR compliance considerations in at least one of the supported countries, with the ability to learn and navigate across the region.
- A proven ability to build credibility with senior stakeholders, influence decisions, and balance employee and business needs with sound judgment.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills across functions, cultures, and levels of the organization.
- A practical, solutions-oriented approach and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment.
- Fluency in English required; French and/or German language skills are strongly valued.
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field is preferred.
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BDA is more than a workplace - it's a family. For more than four decades we've promoted a vibrant and welcoming culture that not only accepts but demands you to be different. The quirky, the bold, the creative and the unique make up the foundation of a company that the most iconic brands in the world look to help tell their story through the power of merchandise.
BDA Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
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Must be 18 years or older to apply.
