Regional HR Business Partner - LATAM

Regional Scope: Costa Rica, Colombia & Ecuador Travel: Regular travel across LATAM and occasional visits to the UK Hybrid: 2 days per week in office, 3 days remote Location: San Ramón, Alajuela, Costa Rica About the Role We are looking for an experienced Regional HR Business Partner - LATAM to play a pivotal role in strengthening and integrating our people practices across Costa Rica, Colombia, and Ecuador. This is a unique opportunity to join a growing international organization and lead the harmonization of HR processes following recent acquisitions. Reporting directly to the Chief People Officer (UK) , with a dotted-line relationship to the Regional General Manager, you will act as the primary HR leader for LATAM, partnering closely with local leadership teams and global HR colleagues. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels, driving organizational change while remaining hands-on in the execution of HR initiatives. Key Responsibilities HR Integration & Harmonization Lead audits of current HR practices, policies, contracts, and compensation frameworks across LATAM entities. Standardize and implement scalable HR processes aligned with global standards while respecting local market practices. Develop and implement employee handbooks, policies, and SOPs across the region. Talent & Performance Management Implement and manage a consistent performance management framework. Partner with leaders to drive a culture of accountability, feedback, and development. Support succession planning, talent development, and retention initiatives. Recruitment & Workforce Planning Establish best-practice recruitment processes across LATAM. Partner with hiring managers on workforce planning and key hires. Ensure hiring practices align with both local market realities and global expectations. Compensation, Benefits & Compliance Review compensation structures and support regional harmonization efforts. Ensure compliance with labor legislation across Costa Rica, Colombia, and Ecuador. Manage HR-related risks and partner with legal and external advisors when required. Data, Reporting & Governance Implement standardized HR metrics and monthly reporting. Ensure integrity and consistency of people data across all locations. Provide HR insights to support business planning and leadership decision-making. Global Collaboration Act as the primary HR contact for LATAM within a global matrix organization. Collaborate with international HR teams to ensure alignment of people practices and share best practices. What We're Looking For Essential Requirements Minimum 3 years of experience as a standalone HR Business Partner supporting multiple countries in LATAM. Strong knowledge of labor legislation and HR practices in LATAM, ideally including Costa Rica, Colombia, and Ecuador. Experience leading organizational change, integration, transformation, or post-acquisition initiatives. Proven track record implementing and improving HR processes and frameworks. Fluent in both English and Spanish. Preferred Experience within biotech, agriculture, science-led, or technical organizations. Experience working within a global matrix environment. Exposure to APAC regions. Personal Attributes Self-driven, resilient, and highly autonomous. Comfortable serving as the sole dedicated HR professional for the LATAM region. Hands-on, pragmatic, and delivery focused. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and influencing capabilities. Able to balance global consistency with local cultural nuances.