HR Director

The European University Institute (EUI) seeks a dynamic and strategic leader to join our team as the Human Resources (HR) Director. The HR Director will be responsible for leading HR initiatives to foster a modern, inclusive, and engaging workplace, while managing HR operations, stakeholder relationships, and talent development.

The Human Resources Service provides a broad range of services to the EUI community. It advises the President, the Secretary General, the Chief Operations Officer and EUI Managers in the field of human resources. It assists the workforce of approx. 750 employees (comprising 399 academic and teaching staff and 351 administrative staff and trainees), as well as 127 retirees.

To read the full vacancy notice, please click HERE.

Key Responsibilities

 The EUI is looking for a dynamic, innovative and experienced leader to take on the responsibility for the implementation and further development of human resources strategies and policies, including change       management initiatives, in an international environment.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, and working also in close collaboration with the President, the HR Director will play a key role in enhancing the motivation, skills and professional development of staff across the Institute through appropriate initiatives, policies and procedures that align with the EUI’s long-term goals and objectives, ensuring that the HR function supports the Institute’s mission to be a leader in higher education and research.

Building on the existing HR Strategy 2022-2024, the HR Director, being in possession of excellent skills for effective change management as well as the ability to connect and inspire people at all levels of the organization, will work on the design and implementation of the HR Strategy for the forthcoming years.

The HR Director will be responsible for ensuring the application of two sets of Staff Rules, for academic and administrative staff, partially based on the regulations of the EU Institutions. They will be managing the specific rules, needs, and requirements for academic positions, including approximately 60 full-time professors.

Policy/ Strategy Making:

• Being responsible for the development of the vision, mission, strategy and objectives for the Human Resources Service in line with the EUI strategy;
• Ensuring the effective management and development of the EUI’s Human Resources within the available resources and, as per the establishment plan of the EUI, through workforce planning, recruitment, mobility, performance management and career development, and fostering a culture of ongoing learning and professional development;
• Providing strategic advice and guidance on HR matters to senior management, and proposing the review and further development of policies and operational procedures, driven by the use of HR analytics;
• Identifying and implementing HR best practices and innovative solutions, and driving organisational change initiatives, including culture transformation and process improvements, to enhance efficiency, increase agility, foster innovation, and improve employee engagement across the EUI;
• Developing and implementing a leadership model and innovative talent management programmes;
• Implementing strategies to attract, retain, and develop top talent;

• Championing equality, diversity and inclusiveness initiatives, developing policies and practices that promote an inclusive workplace, and monitoring and reporting on diversity metrics and progress;
• Participating in statutory committees and ad-hoc working groups as required.

   Role in administrative processes:

• Overseeing   all    HR   functions,    including    recruitment,   onboarding, performance management, and employee relations;
• Ensuring the effective management and correct and timely administration of benefits and entitlements of academic and administrative staff;
• Ensuring that the Human Resources Service fully conforms with the two sets of EUI Staff Regulations and implementing rules (e.g. in the area of individual rights management);
• Managing HR budgets and resources efficiently;
• Supervising the projects, initiatives and operations of the Service;
• Acting as Data Protection Controller.

    Representation/communication:

• Representing the HRS and EUI internally and externally, while liaising with internal and external stakeholders;
• Liaising with the EU institutions, as well as higher education and research institutions, on HR-related issues;
• Cultivating HR-related communication within the EUI community;
• Supporting sustained and effective social exchange, including consulting with the Staff Committee and the Employee Union, and providing assistance to the President and the Chief Operating Officer in negotiations with these bodies;
• Maintaining and developing good working relations with the EUI Contracting States in all areas of HR;
• Acting as a mediator and leading conflict resolution initiatives within the institution, ensuring that disputes are managed in line with EUI policies.

   People management

• Responsible and accountable for the supervision, the management and leadership, the assessment and the development of the HRS staff;
• Managing, developing and motivating the HR team to deliver high-standard HR support for all parts of the organisation;
• Acting as trusted advisor for academic and administrative staff who are experiencing HR- related challenges.

   Level of expertise

• Acting as a subject matter specialist regarding trends and best practices in the field of HR.

 Key competencies

   Competencies specific to the role include the following:

• Team Management
• Strategic thinking
• Networking
• Confidentiality
• Knowledge of processes and procedures
• Problem solving
• Creativity and innovation
• Interpersonal and coaching skills

The competencies mentioned above may be assessed at the written test and/or interview stage.

How to apply:

Applications must be submitted electronically using the AD/HRS/2/2024 online application form available at https://www.eui.eu/About/JobOpportunities/Open-competitions-for- administrative-posts.

The closing date  for applications is Thursday 21st November 2024.

 Before applying, read carefully the eligibility and selections criteria.

Eligibility criteria:

1.   General conditions

• Being a national of a Member State of the European Union;
• Enjoying full rights as a citizen attested by a recent extract from judicial records and/or certificate of good conduct proving no previous conviction for a criminal or administrative offence that could call into question his/her suitability for performing the duties of the post;
• Having fulfilled any obligations imposed by the laws on military service;
• Being physically fit to perform the duties².

    2.Specific conditions

   2.1 Education (Qualifications)

• A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is four (4) years or more; or
• A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and appropriate professional experience of at least one (1) year when the normal period of university education is at least three (3) years. This professional experience will be considered part of the educational qualification and will not be taken into account in the required numbers of professional experience under 2.2.

Only diplomas and certificates that have been awarded in EU Member States, or that are the subject of equivalence certificates issued by authorities in the Member States by the deadline for applications, shall be taken into consideration. If your diploma was issued outside the EU, please indicate in your application that you hold an equivalence certificate; otherwise, your application will be deemed ineligible. ³

  2.2.   Professional experience

  By the deadline for applications, and in addition to the qualifications required above, candidates must have at least ten (10) years of professional experience gained after obtaining the diploma required under 2.1.

 Selection criteria

 Applications that fulfil the above eligibility criteria will be assessed against the following requirements:

   Essential

1. University degree in a field relevant to this post (i.e. human resources management, public or business administration, social sciences or related area) or an equivalent level of professional qualification in a relevant field;
2. At least 5 years of proven experience in leading and managing diverse, multicultural teams, including motivating and developing staff, distributing work and resources, and promoting a service-minded and inclusive culture;
3. At least 5 years of proven experience in conceptual, analytical and/or change management projects, and in the development and implementation of effective HR strategies and new policies and projects in the HR field;
4. Proven experience in the following areas: HR policy development and organisational design; talent and career management including selection; staff services;
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, both spoken and written (CEFR level: C1 or above).

    Advantageous

6. Proven work experience in an international environment;
7. Proven work experience in a higher education and/or research environment;
8. Proven experience in managing relations with unions/staff representatives;
9. Knowledge of the Staff Regulations and implementing rules applicable to EU Institutions and Agencies, and experience in the implementation thereof.

Before completing the online application, we invite you to read also the ANNEX II that represents an integral part of this vacancy notice. You can access the annex here.

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