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Head of Human Resources Iberia (Spain and Portugal)

On-site in Madrid·Added 29 days ago

Still open when we checked on 24 Sept

Catenon

240 open roles

Overview

Requirements

  • Have the right to work in Spain

    Catenon doesn't mention sponsorship in the ad.

  • Speak fluent Spanish

    Listed as a requirement in the ad.

  • Work in English

    English is required, per the ad.

  • Portuguese

    The ad asks for Portuguese, or counts it in your favour.

  • Work on-site in Madrid

    No relocation package mentioned.

  • Have 10+ years of experience

    Director-level role.

  • University degree

    “Grado en RR.H.H., Relaciones Laborales, Derecho o ADE, con formación de postgrado especializada en Dirección de RR.H.H.” — per the ad.

Skills

This job was automatically translated to English.

The role

Are you an HR leader with a strategic mindset but not afraid to dive into operational details? At Catenon, we are looking for a Head of Human Resources Iberia to lead the HR area for our client, a multinational company that is the absolute leader in its segment and has a strong focus on both external and internal customers during a phase of full organizational transformation. This is a critical role where you will act as a strategic partner to the Managing Director and the Executive Committee, leading the transition from a local management model to an integrated global structure. Your mission will be to professionalize data management, optimize processes through tools, and lead a deep cultural change toward a Customer Centric and matrix model.

If you are looking for a position with high autonomy, real impact on the business, and the opportunity to manage an international team in a prestigious environment, this could be your next professional challenge.

What you'll do

. Act as a strategic partner to the Managing Director and the Executive Committee, defining an HR roadmap aligned with business priorities.
- Lead the transition toward a global operating model based on data management and quality, ensuring integration with Global Services (SSC).
- Lead the HR team for Iberia (Spain and Portugal), overseeing administration, payroll, recruitment, onboarding, and time management processes.
- Drive cultural transformation from a traditional structure to a results- and customer-focused matrix model (Customer Centricity).
- Oversee talent attraction and development, promoting internal mobility, succession planning, and coaching for team leaders.
- Ensure compliance with labor legislation in Spain and Portugal, managing labor relations, collective bargaining agreements, and legal obligations (PRL, LISMI, etc.).
- Establish new protocols and internal communication channels to improve efficiency and employee engagement in the new organizational environment.

Requirements:

Must-Haves:
- Degree in HR, Labor Relations, Law, or Business Administration, with specialized postgraduate training in HR Management.
- Minimum of 10 years of generalist HR experience, with at least 5 years in management positions in multinational environments.
- Proven experience in global projects, ideally with matrix structures.
- Fluent English (C1/C2) is essential for regional and global reporting.
- Hands-on profile with a strong ability to dive into operational details and a strong data orientation.
- Proficiency in technological tools: Workday, ADP, and advanced Excel.

Nice-to-Haves:
- Knowledge of Portuguese labor legislation.
- Previous experience in centralization processes toward Shared Service Centers (SSC).
- Functional level of Portuguese.

About Catenon

Catenon is a global executive search and international recruitment firm that combines technology, data, and human insight to identify the best professionals worldwide. With 23 offices across the planet and operations in more than 100 countries, the company specializes in board search, executive search, middle management recruitment, international recruitment, salary benchmarking, and talent projects for industries including construction, engineering, energy, IT, life sciences, and professional services.

Headquartered in Madrid, Spain, Catenon operates as a Spanish multinational with a strong presence in the local market, offering roles such as Jefe de Obra, Director General, and Sales Manager across Spain. The company's work culture emphasizes global mobility, with opportunities for expatriation (e.g., COO in Mexico) and multilingual roles (e.g., French Desk in Madrid), making it attractive for international professionals seeking cross-border careers in recruitment and talent management.

Industry
Recruitment

In their own words

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Multinational company that is the absolute leader in its category

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