Sr HR Business Partner

Your job

Are you an innovative and proactive Senior HR Business Partner who enjoys driving (organizational) changes and contributing to the development of HR services? If so, we are looking for you!

Within our HR team at the Plant Sciences Group, you will help develop teams and the organization as a whole, while contributing to the creation of integrated HR policies. You will advise and support various education and research groups in implementing these policies. You will build professional working relationships with managers and collaborate with the Center of Expertise (CoE) to shape the strategy and tactics for Recruitment, Vitality & Health, and Learning & Development. Your challenges within PSG will focus on organizational development and change.

Your responsibilities as Senior HR Business Partner:

• Acting as a sparring partner and advisor for managers and/or directors on organizational development and team-related cases.
• Contributing to and playing an active role in the development and execution of strategic workforce plans and organizational issues.
• Shaping the HR agenda and co-owning the successful implementation of HR policies across PSG. Over the coming years, the focus will be on organizational development, cultural change, diversity and inclusion, and talent development.
• Participating in various HR projects, such as Leadership, Organizational Design, Diversity & Inclusion, Social Safety, or Recognition & Rewards.

Your team:

You will work closely with our dedicated HR team at PSG, consisting of about 15 colleagues. As a team, we strive to create a culture of collegiality, authenticity, and collaboration. Informal interactions and humor play an essential role in this dynamic. Together, we aim to foster an open and transparent culture. It’s important to us that you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and contribute to further professionalizing our services.

The HR department operates across various locations, including Lelystad, Bleiswijk, and Randwijk. Therefore, occasional travel within the country is required, but you will primarily work in Wageningen. Your working hours are flexible, to be arranged in consultation.

About PSG:

PSG consists of the Plant Sciences Department (21 chair groups), focusing on fundamental research and education, and Wageningen Plant Research (8 WPR teams), specializing in applied research. PSG has a strong international orientation in terms of staff, education, and research.

Your qualities

You are innovative, curious, and proactive, enabling you to provide informed and practical advice and solutions. With your advisory skills, empathy, diplomacy, and persuasive abilities, you create support and drive changes. You are a critical discussion partner for our managers and are not afraid to engage in challenging conversations.

You also possess:

• A university-level (WO) working and thinking capacity.
• At least 5 years of experience as an HR Business Partner or HR Advisor.
• Experience in a complex project organization (a significant advantage).
• Proficiency in Dutch and English.

We offer you

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8,3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between € 3.868,- and € 6008,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11). As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended - if possible within (company) organizational circumstances - on good performance. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a multi-faceted position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland and with your work you have a clear and positive impact on society. At WUR we work on the most pressing challenges of our time, like climate change and feeding the world in a sustainable way. 

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center. This program helps your partner to get familiar with the Dutch culture, labour market and assists your partner to find a job.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Do you want more information?

For more information about this position, please contact Erica Steen (erica.steen@wur.nl), Head HR Plant Sciences Group

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 6 Januari 2025. 

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!


We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.