Job description
About the Role
R&D department is looking for an experienced People Excellence Partner to provide maternity cover for our R&D site. This is a hands-on, site-based role with a strong focus on employee relations, people processes, and strategic People & Culture (P&C) initiatives.
You will step into an active portfolio from day one, working with a high degree of autonomy. Together with the People Business Partner R&D North Europe, you will act as the primary on-site P&C contact for the Ghent R&D population, partnering closely with people managers and supporting employees across a wide range of topics.
Key Responsibilities
1. Cycle & Process Management
* Lead the year-end cycle for the R&D Ghent population, including:
o Timeline and process management
o Guidance and coaching for managers
o System follow-up and data accuracy
* Manage the FlexPlan October Choice Window, ensuring employees and managers are well informed and supported throughout the selection process.
* Support the final wave of the transformation project at site level, ensuring smooth implementation and change adoption.
2. Employee Relations & Case Management
* Provide structured follow-up on Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs):
o Ensure consistency and proper documentation
o Coach managers on approach, communication, and next steps
* Manage and monitor long-term absence cases, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders and ensuring compliance with Belgian social legislation.
3. Learning, Awareness & Inclusion
* Design, deliver, and follow up on Neurodivergent people management training and awareness programmes for managers and employees.
* Represent the Ghent R&D site in the December Roadshow for the AWARE International Day for Persons with Disabilities, promoting inclusion and awareness.
4. Events & Recognition
* Coordinate the Seniority Celebration 2026 for the Ghent R&D population:
o End-to-end logistics
o Communication and stakeholder alignment
o On-site coordination
* Participate in and contribute to P&C Days in October, helping to shape content and engagement activities.
5. Digital & Knowledge Management
* Support the SharePoint to OneSupport migration project for the Ghent site:
o Act as local point of contact
o Ensure a smooth transition and adoption
o Communicate new processes and ways of working to employees and managers.
6. People Manager Engagement
* Prepare and deliver content for the People Manager Meeting in Ghent (September):
o Identify relevant topics and priorities
o Present new definitions and frameworks (e.g. updated performance impact criteria)
o Lead an external-facing session requiring strong preparation, facilitation, and presentation skills.
7. Protime Project
* Contribute to the Protime implementation project (go-live January 2027):
o Support testing and validation
o Prepare and deliver change communications
o Act as a change champion for the Ghent site.
Required Skills & Experience
HR Expertise
* 4–6 years’ experience in an HR / People & Culture generalist or partner role, ideally in an international or matrix environment.
* Solid knowledge of Belgian social legislation:
o Employment law
o Absence management
o Social security frameworks
* Demonstrated experience managing employee relations cases, including performance management and long-term absence.
Analytical & Digital Skills
* Strong data analysis skills with very good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel (reporting, dashboards, basic analysis).
* AI literate – comfortable using AI tools to:
o Streamline HR processes
o Improve quality and consistency of communication and documentation.
* Ability to work confidently across digital HR platforms and knowledge management systems (e.g. SharePoint, ticketing/knowledge bases).
Interpersonal & Organisational Skills
* Confident in presenting to and facilitating sessions with people managers and senior stakeholders.
* Proven ability to work independently, prioritising and managing a varied workload without close day-to-day supervision.
* Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and deadlines.
* Proactive, solution-oriented mindset with a high degree of professional judgment and discretion.
Language Requirement: Fluent in Dutch
Why joining us?
Rapid growth: Amaris has doubled its workforce in Belgium in two years, providing numerous growth opportunities for employees.
Prestigious projects: Candidates will work with renowned clients in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and European institutions sectors on impactful missions.
International environment: An agile and dynamic structure promotes intrapreneurship and meritocracy, with international exposure at the heart of Europe.