Syensqo is all about chemistry. We’re not just referring to chemical reactions here, but also to the magic that occurs when the brightest minds get to work together. This is where our true strength lies. In you. In your future colleagues and in all your differences. And of course, in your ideas to improve lives while preserving our planet’s beauty for the generations to come.
We are looking for:
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A versatile HR Business Partner to support Global Business Services (GBS) leaders in building scalable, efficient people practices, while also serving as Country HR for Portugal and Spain, ensuring a consistent employee experience and strong local compliance.
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A trusted partner who can work effectively in a matrix environment, connecting global functional priorities with country-specific needs and day-to-day site realities.
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You will report to the VP HR Corporate Functions, with a dotted line to the VP HR R&I and Labor Relations, and will manage one junior HR profile based in Lisbon who supports on-site HR topics.
We count on you for:
Strategy:
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GBS & Country People Strategy: Helps shape and deliver the people agenda for GBS, aligned with Syensqo HR priorities, while translating global direction into clear, workable country plans for Portugal and Spain.
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Organization Design & Effectiveness: Partners with GBS leadership to evaluate the current set-up (roles, interfaces, spans/layers, ways of working) and to propose improvements that strengthen service delivery and transformation outcomes.
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Employee Relations / Labor Relations Coordination: Anticipates and supports employee and labor relations topics in PT/ES, working in close partnership with the VP HR R&I and Labor Relations to ensure consistent approach and appropriate governance.
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Use of HR Analytics: Reviews key people indicators (e.g., retention, absenteeism, engagement, performance outcomes, hiring metrics) to spot patterns early and recommend corrective or preventive actions.
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Workforce Planning: Supports planning for critical skills and capacity across GBS, helping ensure the organization has the right capabilities over time.
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Culture & Change: Reinforces a culture of accountability, customer/service mindset and continuous improvement; supports leaders in change adoption and communication.
Execution:
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Project Management: Establishes a solid operating cadence, manages multiple priorities, and keeps stakeholders aligned through clear plans, follow-up and risk management.
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Syensqo HR Operating Model: Navigates the HR operating model effectively (COEs, HR Operations/Services, HR community) to ensure timely delivery and good end-to-end coordination.
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HR Continuous Improvement: Identifies recurring process pain points impacting GBS and local teams and drives pragmatic improvements (standard work, clearer handoffs, templates, guidance notes).
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Talent Acquisition: Partners with TA on role scoping, pipeline reviews and selection effectiveness; uses dashboards to track progress and addresses escalations to keep hiring on track.
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Global HR Processes & Systems: Ensures smooth execution of global HR cycles (performance, compensation, talent processes) across the scope, while respecting country-specific requirements.
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On-site HR support (Lisbon): Provides direction, prioritization and coaching to the junior HR team member supporting Lisbon, ensuring consistent case handling and a strong employee/manager experience.
Talent:
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Leadership Coaching: Advises leaders and managers on people decisions and employee matters, offering clear options and sound judgement aligned with policy and business needs.
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Manager Capability: Helps strengthen manager fundamentals (hiring, onboarding, feedback, performance management, inclusion, policy adherence) through guidance and practical tools.
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Succession & Talent Pipeline: Contributes to identifying critical roles and talent, supports development plans, and encourages mobility and capability building across the scope.
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Engagement, Inclusion & Diversity: Supports engagement actions and communication; promotes inclusive practices and equal access to development opportunities.
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Self-Development: Maintains an active network across HR and GBS, shares best practices, and partners with COEs on initiatives with broader impact.
You will bring:
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A bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field (MBA/Master’s is an advantage).
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Experience in a complex, international and matrix organization (shared services/GBS experience is a plus).
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5–7 years in HRBP and/or Country HR roles, with proven ability to partner with leaders and operate across multiple stakeholder groups.
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Strong grounding in core HR areas (employee relations fundamentals, talent management, performance cycles, organizational effectiveness) and the ability to balance global standards with local realities.
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Evidence of influencing skills, structured problem solving, and comfort supporting change and process improvement.
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Exposure to Portugal and/or Spain HR environments (or ability to ramp up quickly), with confidence partnering on labor relations topics through the appropriate HR/LR leadership.
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English fluency; Portuguese required; Spanish strongly preferred.
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Competitive salary and benefits package.
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The Portuguese annual base salary range reasonably expected to be paid for this new hire is: € 70,000 to € 88,000. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, experience, qualification and internal equity and can ultimately be more or less than the posted salary range.
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16, or more, weeks of maternity/paternity and co-parenting leave, according to local regulations
- Training platform for all employees
- Free language courses (24 languages available)
- Free well-being sessions (physical and psychological)
About us
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Syensqo is a science company developing groundbreaking solutions that enhance the way we live, work, travel and play. Inspired by the scientific councils which Ernest Solvay initiated in 1911, we bring great minds together to push the limits of science and innovation for the benefit of our customers, with a diverse, global team of more than 13,000 associates. Our solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices and health care applications. Our innovation power enables us to deliver on the ambition of a circular economy and explore breakthrough technologies that advance humanity.
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At Syensqo, we seek to promote unity and not uniformity. We value the diversity that individuals bring and we invite you to consider a future with us, regardless of background, age, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, ability or identity. We encourage individuals who may require any assistance or accommodations to let us know to ensure a seamless application experience. We are here to support you throughout the application journey and want to ensure all candidates are treated equally. If you are unsure whether you meet all the criteria or qualifications listed in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.
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