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HRBP, Associate Director (Spain & Italy)

Job description

HR Business Partner (AD) | Remote (Spain/UK) | Spanish & English Essential

Remote - Spain or UK | Occasional Global Travel

Please note: Applicants must be fluent in English and have at minimum business-level Spanish, with existing right to work in either Spain or the UK. Strong knowledge of Spanish employment law is highly preferred, given the role’s responsibility for the Spanish affiliate.

BioTalent are partnered with a global biopharma business entering a critical transformation year, and they are looking to hire an experienced HR Business Partner at Associate Director level on a 12-month fixed term contract.

This is a high-impact HRBP role supporting Spain and Italy, with real visibility and ownership. The business has recently undergone leadership change, and there is strong anticipation of organisational transformation activity, including potential restructuring and collective consultation processes.

If you enjoy being brought in when things matter, operating close to senior leadership, and helping steer a region through change, this is the kind of role that will suit you.

The Opportunity

This role exists because the organisation needs senior HR support across Southern Europe during a period of uncertainty and change. You will also provide short-term cover in Spain due to an existing HR team member being on sick leave.

It is a fast-moving environment, and they need someone who can bring structure, calm judgement, and hands-on execution.

Key Responsibilities

  • Act as senior HR Business Partner to leaders across Spain and Italy
  • Support transformation programmes and prepare for potential restructure activity
  • Lead and support collective consultation processes where required
  • Partner with leadership on workforce planning and organisational change
  • Manage complex employee relations issues and ensure local compliance
  • Provide short-term HRBP coverage for Spain
  • Work closely with global HR leadership and business stakeholders to keep HR delivery pragmatic and commercially aligned

What Type of Person This Suits

This role will suit someone who has operated at senior HRBP / Associate Director level and is comfortable being dropped into a high-impact environment with limited hand-holding.

You will likely have experience in pharma, biotech, life sciences, or another highly regulated sector, and you will be confident navigating ambiguity and supporting leaders through change.

Key Requirements

  • Fluent Spanish speaker (business level, essential)
  • Strong HRBP experience at Associate Director / senior level
  • Proven experience in transformation, restructure, and change environments
  • Collective consultation exposure highly beneficial
  • Spain HR experience essential, Italy experience strongly preferred
  • Able to travel occasionally (Madrid and potentially Pennsylvania)

Why Someone Would Move

This is a rare opportunity to take a genuinely senior HRBP seat with visibility, autonomy, and impact. The hire will be trusted to influence key decisions across the region during a pivotal year, with the potential for extension beyond the initial 12 months.

Location / Working Setup

Remote role, Spain preferred but UK candidates also considered. Occasional travel to Madrid required, plus occasional travel to Pennsylvania.

Process

  • Interviews are taking place this week and CV review is happening daily.
  • If this sounds relevant, feel free to reach out directly or apply for immediate consideration.