HR Governance & Compensation Lead

About the role

Utmost International is seeking a senior HR professional to lead governance, compensation and payroll operations across multiple European jurisdictions. The role combines strategic HR project delivery, risk management and performance management to support the company’s growth and transformation.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee end‑to‑end payroll governance for ~500 employees across 7 European jurisdictions, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely processing.
• Define and maintain payroll controls, audit mechanisms and reporting standards while monitoring regulatory changes.
• Lead regional HR projects such as pay‑transparency implementation, new legal entity set‑up, and HRIS enhancements.
• Develop and enforce HR governance frameworks, align policies with local legislation and collective agreements, and lead internal and external HR audits.
• Partner with legal teams, works councils and unions to mitigate HR‑related risks.
• Drive the annual performance management cycle and compensation processes across the region.

Required profile

• Proven experience leading HR operations, payroll and compliance in a multi‑jurisdictional environment.
• Strong project management skills with a track record of delivering complex HR initiatives.
• Excellent stakeholder management, including collaboration with finance, legal and external vendors.
• Ability to interpret and apply European labour and tax regulations.

Required skills

• HRIS and payroll system expertise
• Project management methodologies
• HR governance and risk‑assessment frameworks
• Performance and compensation management tools