HR business partner (21544)

As part of Principal Directorate People, Directorate HR Customer Engagement is responsible for helping employees to perform and contribute positively with genuine engagement to the overall mission of the EPO. The directorate includes the departments HR Business Partners, HR Interlocutors and Well-being and Engagement, and uses business-focused HR teams to co‑ordinate activities across HR services in line with the needs of the organisation. As custodians of the EPO's strategy, HR business partners play a key role in fostering an engaged, knowledgeable, collaborative and inclusive "one‑Office" culture. They promote good people‑management practices, support organisational changes, drive talent mobility and identify smart solutions to capacity needs. Assigned to specific business areas, they support managers with performance management with the aim of maximising employee experience and engagement. They also play a pivotal role in ensuring that the flexibility offered by the new ways of working enhances staff well-being and performance. Finally, they foster psychological safety and help with reskilling efforts for the future.

We are now looking for an HR business partner to join our team.

• drive the HR agenda and act as a change agent, ensuring the implementation of HR strategies, policies and guidelines
• act as an HR interface for a specific business area and client segment
• counsel and coach leaders within your area of responsibility
• translate business needs and challenges into operational HR plans, i.e. workforce planning, onboarding, talent management, performance development, engagement and well‑being, health and absence management, D&I, communication and change management
• provide data-based insights to guide decision-making and offer people-oriented solutions

• relevant professional experience as an HR business partner or in a similar role in an international environment
• knowledge of the technological sector and/or industrial property (would be an asset)
• a very good understanding of key HR areas, in particular the talent management cycle (talent development and talent acquisition) as well as learning and development, workforce planning, staff mobility, staff well-being, diversity and inclusion, etc.
• experience in helping develop and deliver fit-for-purpose HR strategies
• experience in actively supporting organisational change and business transformation from an HR perspective
• excellent communication skills and the ability to coach, influence and partner at leadership level
• the passion to make a difference in people's lives and a positive attitude to work
• a proven ability to prioritise, meet deadlines and make best use of limited resources
• a practical can-do attitude working in a collaborative and dynamic team
• the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while remaining cool-headed and keeping your eye on the ball
• the ability to handle sensitive information with due regard for confidentiality and utmost discretion
• a proactive and forward-thinking approach with strong initiative and a service mindset geared to providing value-added advice and solutions
• the ability to use the MS Office suite and other tools to identify insights that drive action

• Diploma of completed studies at master's level or – in exceptional cases – equivalent professional experience
• Generally, an excellent knowledge (at least C1) of one official language (English, French and German) and ability to understand the other two. In exceptional cases, excellent knowledge (at least C1) of one official language and working knowledge (at least B2) of another. In such cases, the willingness to learn the third language and to reach Level B2 within a set time frame would be required.
• Citizenship of one of the member states of the European Patent Organisation

The successful candidate will be selected on the basis of qualifications and relevant experience, supplemented as appropriate by interviews, tests and/or a personality questionnaire.

More information on how we recruit can be found on our EPO jobs and careers site.

* after deduction of EPO-internal tax and before deduction of staff contributions to the social security and pension schemes.

We welcome all applications for vacant positions. We consider each on its professional merits – regardless of your nationality, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, parental responsibilities, age, religion or belief.