HR Partner

Join a place where ambitious science thrives

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: November 5, 2026

Human Technopole (Milan) is a rapidly expanding life science institute where international researchers and cutting-edge technologies converge to accelerate biomedical discovery. Our mission is to transform bold scientific ideas into advances that improve human health.

We are looking for two HR Partners to act as a trusted strategic advisor to leaders and managers responsible for a designated Institute population in one of HT’s areas: Research, National Facilities or Functions. Reporting to the Head of HR, you will translate the Institute’s priorities into effective organisational and people initiatives. You will anticipate needs, shape solutions with HR specialist teams within the applicable legal framework, and help ensure that decisions are fair, consistent and sustainable.

You will support organisational effectiveness, workforce planning, talent management and employee engagement, helping to build a high-performing, collaborative and inclusive work environment. You will do so in a uniquely complex setting: a growing international institute operating as a private foundation with public funding and oversight, where a wide range of contractual arrangements and two levels of collective bargaining coexist.

Your mission

Partnership with management

• Serve as a trusted HR advisor and first point of contact for managers and employees in your assigned population, building relationships based on credibility and trust.
• Partner with managers on organisational design, team structures and role definition, ensuring alignment with the Institute’s strategic objectives.
• Support and coach managers in building and leading their teams, from selecting new team members to day-to-day people management.
• Bring insights from your employee population to HR leadership discussions and work with the Head of HR to ensure that agreed actions are implemented effectively.

Workforce planning

• Advise on and support workforce planning and headcount budgeting for the assigned area and employee population, translating priorities and project timelines into staffing plans that align with the approved budget. Constructively challenge assumptions and proposed headcount where needed.
• Anticipate future capability needs and propose timely, sustainable solutions.

Employee lifecycle and employee relations

• Oversee the employee lifecycle across the range of contractual arrangements at the Foundation, from entry to exit. Act as the first point of contact for managers and employees on lifecycle matters, working closely with HR Operations and providing the information needed to support each process.
• Advise managers on employee relations and people management matters, partnering with HR Employee Relations and HR Operations specialists to ensure policies and procedures are applied fairly, consistently and in compliance with applicable regulations. Take ownership of people-related matters for the assigned employee population, including disciplinary cases, and involve the relevant specialists as needed.

Talent management, culture and change

• Support managers on performance and development matters and contribute to talent review and succession planning processes, in close collaboration with HR Learning and Development specialists.
• Promote a culture of engagement, accountability and continuous development.
• Promote diversity and inclusion and support culture change in a highly multicultural environment, helping teams of many nationalities and backgrounds work together effectively.
• Design and lead change management and transformation initiatives that support teams through organisational change and the Institute’s growth.

Integrated HR solutions and people analytics

• Act as the front-line link between your employee population and HR centres of expertise, including HR Operations, Employee Relations, Compensation and Benefits, Recruitment, and Learning and Development. Direct needs to the right specialists and coordinate their contributions to deliver integrated, coherent solutions.
• Work closely with HR Operations on contractual and administrative matters, such as annual leave planning, contract changes and employee documentation, ensuring a seamless experience for managers and employees.
• Contribute to compensation and salary review processes for your employee population, in collaboration with Compensation and Benefits specialists.
• Monitor and analyse workforce data to identify trends, assess impact and inform evidence-based decisions.

You bring a practical, hands-on mindset and strong interpersonal skills. You turn HR policies and guidance into clear, workable solutions, take ownership of issues through to resolution, and build trusted relationships with managers and employees. You listen carefully, act with empathy and sound judgement, and apply rules fairly and consistently. You collaborate across HR, balance individual needs with organisational priorities, and use data and evidence to guide your recommendations.

Grow your skills

At Human Technopole, you will work at the intersection of science, technology and a public-interest mission. As an HR Partner, you will have the opportunity to:

• Act as a strategic partner to management in a diverse, international and fast-growing scientific environment.
• Help shape HR processes and services as the Institute grows.
• Collaborate closely with HR colleagues on organisational matters, compensation and employee relations.

Human Technopole also supports career development through training, mentoring and dedicated learning opportunities.

What you’ll bring

Essential

• Bachelor degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, Law, Economics or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least four years as an HR business partner and seven years total in HR
• Strong experience supporting managers on organisational and people-related matters.
• Proven experience in workforce planning, talent management and change management initiatives.
• Proven experience handling people management and employee relations matters, including disciplinary cases.
• Solid knowledge of Italian labour law and collective agreements.
• Fluency in Italian and English (C1 level).

Preferred

• Experience in multinational, matrix or rapidly evolving organisations. Experience in life science organisations is an advantage.
• Knowledge of HR analytics and HRIS platforms (e.g. SAP SuccessFactors, Workday or similar systems).
• Familiarity with the CCNL Chimico-Farmaceutico is an advantage.

Organisational and social skills

• Ability to build trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels, and the credibility to influence and constructively challenge.
• Strong listening, negotiation and conflict management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong execution skills: the ability to translate strategic direction into concrete actions, processes and tools, and to follow them through to implementation and measurable results.
• Ability to balance analytical rigour (including workforce planning, data and job architecture) with interpersonal effectiveness.
• Sound judgement, discretion and a strong commitment to fairness and consistency.
• Ability to design and implement projects and processes, translating ideas into practical outcomes, workable processes and tools.
• Ability to work in synergy with both HR colleagues and stakeholders outside HR to build effective solutions.

At HT, your work helps create the conditions for world-class science to thrive.

Why Human Technopole

HT offers an international and dynamic workplace, competitive welfare provisions, flexible working policies and relocation support. Researchers moving to Italy may be eligible for favourable tax treatment. We promote work–life balance and offer parental support initiatives.

How to apply

Submit:

• CV
• Motivation letter (English)

This is a permanent contract under the Italian Chemical-Pharmaceutical Collective Labour Agreement (CCNL Chimico-Farmaceutico), at Quadro level.

Job openings: 2

Salary: up to €70,000 gross per year, depending on experience and on how closely the candidate's profile matches the essential and preferred requirements of the role

The position is based at our vibrant international campus in Milan, Italy.

We strongly encourage applications from candidates belonging to protected categories under Italian Law 68/99.