Head of HR Operations

Job description Specialising in the recruitment of qualified and expert profiles, People Solutions by Arhis offers tailored support to help you take the next step in your professional journey. We work with companies across various sectors (banking, insurance, industry, and services) that are actively looking for talented individuals like you. At People Solutions by Arhis, we understand that every career path is unique. That's why we put our recruitment expertise at the heart of your career project, offering you personalised and attentive guidance to help you find the opportunity that truly matches your ambitions. We are currently recruiting for one of our clients a: HEAD OF HR OPERATIONS - EUROPE ROLE OVERVIEW We are looking for a Head of HR Operations to join a fast-paced, international organisation operating across multiple European countries. This role is critical to ensuring the robustness, efficiency and compliance of HR operational processes, with a strong focus on payroll, HR administration, vendor management and cross-border complexity. The successful candidate will act as a hands-on operational leader, able to stabilise, structure and optimise HR operations while supporting the organisation through a period of growth, transformation and increasing automation. This is a role for someone who thrives in complexity, enjoys problem-solving, and is comfortable acting as a trusted partner to senior HR leadership. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: HR Operations & Payroll Oversight Oversee end-to-end HR operations across several European countries (including but not limited to Luxembourg, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, UK). Supervise and coordinate external payroll providers and HR vendors. Ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, timeliness and consistency across all geographies. Act as a strong escalation point for payroll and HR operational issues. Monitor SLAs, quality of service and cost-efficiency of external providers. HR Administration & Compliance Ensure compliance with local labour laws, social security regulations and cross-border employment rules. Oversee HR administration processes (contracts, onboarding, offboarding, absences, benefits, mobility, etc.). Support complex cases (terminations, disputes, regulatory matters). Maintain robust documentation, policies and internal procedures. Leadership & Team Supervision Provide day-to-day guidance and support to the HR Operations team. Foster a collaborative, constructive and solution-oriented culture. Support the development of more junior profiles in payroll and HR administration. Act as a reliable backup for key HR operational roles when needed. Process Improvement & Automation Identify inefficiencies and opportunities for simplification and automation. Participate in digitalisation and AI-driven HR transformation initiatives. Ensure operational continuity while transformation projects are underway. Stakeholder Management Work closely with HR leadership, Finance, IT and external vendors. Provide clear reporting, insights and recommendations. Build strong internal credibility as a pragmatic and dependable partner. Requirements The profile we are looking for: Experience 10+ years of experience in HR Operations, Payroll, HR Administration or similar roles. Strong exposure to multi-country payroll and HR complexity. Experience in a regulated environment (financial services, insurance, asset management, etc.) is a strong asset. Experience working with multiple external payroll and HR providers. Skills & Competencies Strong operational mindset: hands-on, pragmatic, reliable. Solid knowledge of payroll processes and HR administration. Ability to deal with ambiguity and fast-changing environments. Strong problem-solving and prioritisation skills. Comfortable challenging providers and internal stakeholders when needed. Curious, adaptable and eager to learn. Strong sense of ownership and accountability. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Languages Fluent in English (working language). French is a strong asset. Any additional European language is a plus. Your Candidate Experience with People Solutions by Arhis To ensure that your profile aligns with our opportunities, we guide you through a thorough recruitment process, including individual interviews, assessment centers, personality and motivation questionnaires, as well as coaching sessions led by our team of certified coaches. Rest assured that we carefully review every application received, including those automatically acknowledged upon submission. Your profile will be evaluated by a consultant specialized in your field of expertise. We listen to your needs, keep you informed, and provide guidance throughout the recruitment process until your successful integration with our client. Our commitment is to offer you our expertise to ensure the success of your next professional endeavor.