HR Business Partner (2 posts)

Join the Human Resources Department as an HR Business Partner, working within the HR Business Partnering Division alongside over 100 internal and external professionals delivering high-quality HR services to a workforce of more than 7,700 across the different establishments of the European Space Agency.

Description

The HR Business Partners support ESA Directorates in strategic workforce planning and in the transformation of ways of working and organisational structures, ensuring that the Agency remains adaptable, efficient, and future ready. Acting as the primary interface between Human Resources and the business, they ensure close alignment between Directorate priorities and the Agency’s people strategy.

Supported by a team of dedicated HR Advisors, HR Business Partners provide strategic advice and operational support to leadership teams on organisational design, capability development, and change management. In close collaboration with HR Competence Centres and the Employee Services Division, they help leaders address complex organisational challenges, strengthen workforce capabilities, and foster a high performing work environment.

In addition, HR Business Partners act as change agents by translating ESA’s people strategy into impactful and sustainable initiatives, while ensuring that Directorate level needs are effectively represented within the broader HR agenda. In doing so, they contribute to informed decision making and the successful delivery of organisational objectives.

Duties

As an HR Business Partner, you will supervise a team of HR Advisors and be responsible for:

• Providing strategic advice and guidance to senior leaders, contributing to the development and implementation of people strategies aligned with business objectives;
• Leading and supporting key organisational initiatives, including workforce planning, organisational design, talent development including internal mobility, leadership development, and employee engagement;
• Acting as a trusted partner, building strong and credible relationships with senior stakeholders within and across assigned Directorates;
• Driving organisational effectiveness and AI transformation, supporting change management initiatives and enabling leaders to navigate complex environments;
• Promoting and supporting a high-performance culture, fostering continuous feedback, leadership accountability, and staff development;
• Collaborating closely with HR Competence Centres and the Employee Services Division to ensure a coherent, integrated and efficient delivery of HR services, while contributing to the continuous improvement of HR policies and processes;
• Contributing to a strong internal HR network by sharing insights, knowledge and best practices, ensuring that business needs are translated into innovative and value-adding HR solutions;
• Leveraging data, analytics and metrics to inform decision-making, monitor organisational trends, and assess the effectiveness of HR initiatives;
• Providing reporting and analytical insights to leadership, enabling evidence-based decision-making and proactive workforce planning;
• As applicable, represent HR locally towards key stakeholders such as the Head of Establishment or Centre, Staff Association Committee and local authorities.

This role involves frequent travel within Europe.

Technical competencies

• Leadership advisory, coaching and stakeholder influencing at senior level
• Application of HR policies, employee relations principles and relevant legal frameworks
• Organisational design, workforce planning and capability development
• Talent management, succession planning and internal mobility
• Change management, organisational and AI transformation support
• Performance management, employee engagement and culture development
• HR analytics, workforce metrics and evidence-based reporting
• Project and programme management for cross-functional HR initiatives
• Delivery of integrated HR solutions in collaboration with specialised HR functions

Behavioural competencies

• Result Orientation
• Operational Efficiency
• Fostering Cooperation
• Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Forward Thinking

Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in e.g. Human Resources, Business Administration, Engineering or Psychology is required for this post with 10 years of directly relevant professional experience, out of which 7 years in an HR advisory, business partnering or similar function is required in this role, together with a minimum of 3 years' experience in coordinating a team of HR BPs or HR Advisors. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree, complemented by an additional 4 years of relevant professional experience in the above-mentioned domains can be considered.

Additional requirements

HR Business Partners at ESA act as key account managers, strategic advisers, and facilitators of change, combining a strong business mindset with HR expertise.

They are expected to:

• Demonstrate a project management approach, ensuring effective planning, execution, and delivery of initiatives
• Balance strategic thinking with sound execution
• Anticipate business needs and proactively propose forward-looking HR solutions
• Contribute to shaping the future of ESA’s workforce and organisational culture
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication abilities
• Handle confidential information with utmost discretion and professionalism
• Work effectively with managers, internal stakeholders and service providers in a complex organisational environment

As a manager you are expected to have:

• The ability to organise their activities and ensure a motivating work environment
• Strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills
• The ability to drive your team’s performance, developing your people by encouraging learning, delegating responsibility and giving regular and constructive feedback
• Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills
• Strong results orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing
• The ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer focused.

Important Information and Disclaimer

This job requisition aims to establish a reserve list of suitable candidates for upcoming and future recruitment needs for the next two years.

The post is expected to be subject to rotation in line with ESA’s mobility and workforce needs.

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.