Human Resources Director

Selection 4.0, a technological Search & Selection Company based in Switzerland, specialized in hunting Middle-Top Management Candidates worldwide is searching for a:

HR Director

for a leading international organisation committed to advancing healthcare through research, education and the multidisciplinary integration of scientific knowledge.

Mission:

The HR Director, reporting directly to the CEO, holds overall responsibility for the strategic and operational management of Human Resources on a global scale, with direct oversight of the HR team across various countries. Supports the Senior Leadership Team in building an organization that attracts, develops, and retains top talent across a complex, multicultural environment.

Key Responsibilities:

People Strategy & Organizational Culture

• Partner with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team to define and execute a people strategy aligned with the company's business objectives across all geographies;
• Champion a culture built on trust, empowerment, and continuous improvement, acting as a role model and as a catalyst for change;
• Advise and support the Senior Leadership Team on all people-related topics, from organizational design to team effectiveness;
• Create and implement an HR target operating model aligned with market best practices.

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Own the end-to-end recruitment process, ensuring consistent quality of hire and a professional, well-structured recruitment experience globally;
• Design and maintain an onboarding framework that enables rapid integration and long-term retention.

Performance Management & Talent Development

• Lead the performance appraisal cycle, including goal-setting frameworks, calibration processes, and feedback culture;
• Build and manage succession planning for critical roles; identify and develop high-potential talent across the organization;
• Design and deliver the learning and development curriculum for Senior Leaders and line managers, covering people management, coaching, and leadership effectiveness.

HR Policies, Compliance & Administration

• Define, implement, and continuously review HR policies globally (employee handbook, time and attendance, leave management, etc.), ensuring full compliance with local labour laws across all operating countries;
• Conduct regular salary and benefits benchmarking to ensure competitive positioning in each market.

Analytics & HR Operations

• Define and track key HR KPIs and translate data into actionable insights for leadership;
• Support the selection and implementation of an HR Information System;
• Drive the continuous improvement of HR processes and systems, with a focus on efficiency, scalability, and the employee experience.

Organizational Development & Special Projects

• Support and steer organizational development initiatives and cultural transformation programs, acting as a strategic advisor to the Senior Leadership Team;
• Implement organizational change management to support the transformation of departments;
• Lead or contribute to cross-functional projects where people impact is material (M&A integrations, restructurings, geographic expansions).

Qualifications:

Hard Skills

• Master's degree in Human Resources Management, Organizational Psychology, Business Administration, or a related field;
• 10+ years of HR experience in a HRBP capacity, ideally within an international, multicultural environment, experience in the Life Sciences would be considered an asset;
• Demonstrated track record in change management, organizational development, and cultural transformation;
• Solid knowledge of HRIS platforms;
• Knowledge about labour law across various jurisdictions;
• Ability to read and interpret financial data and contribute to budget conversations;
• Fluent in English, Italian and French are considered a plus.

Soft Skills

• Decisive and well-organized leader, able to set clear priorities, drive execution, and bring out the best in a team without losing sight of the bigger picture;
• Builds trust across all levels with ease, high emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to turn conflict into constructive dialogue;
• Analytical and action-oriented: synthesizes complex information quickly, writes with clarity, and translates insight into decisions without procrastinating;
• Forward-looking and adaptable, with the creative mindset to spot opportunities, embrace change, and bring others along through transformation.

Offer

• Competitive salary package;
• 30 days of annual leave, including 10 additional days on top of the contractual allowance;
• Improved social benefit packaging.

Place of work: Lugano (up to 25% remote working)