Role: Interim Head of HR (18-Month Fixed Term)
Hildesheim, Germany | Hybrid | Multinational B2C Business
Package: €110,000 - €130,000 plus bonus
A European financial services client has exclusively retained Middlemore to recruit an Interim Head of HR to join their team in Hildesheim.
We’re looking for a strategic HR leader for an 18-month interim contract, overseeing our clients HR department and driving people, process, and performance initiatives across the business. You’ll play a key role as a trusted advisor to the senior leadership team, shaping HR strategy and ensuring the organisation continues to grow through its people.
As the Interim Head of HR, you’ll lead a small team, guide day-to-day operations, and drive transformational initiatives that strengthen culture, capability, and compliance. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a strong track record in multinational, consumer-focused businesses and deep knowledge of German HR practices and works council frameworks.
What you’ll do
* Lead and inspire the HR function, providing direction to senior leaders and managers.
* Develop and implement HR strategies, policies, and processes that align with organisational goals.
* Partner with the leadership team on talent, succession, and organisational design challenges.
* Be the go-to expert on complex employee relations, performance, and leadership topics.
* Act as a “player-coach,” leading your team while staying closely involved in operational delivery.
* Foster engagement and wellbeing through initiatives that build trust, recognition, and retention.
* Manage compensation, benefits, and performance systems, ensuring fairness and competitiveness.
* Collaborate with the Betriebsrat (works council) and ensure alignment with Betriebsverfassungsgesetz .
* Work closely with the UK-based parent HR team to align global and local HR practices.
* Use data and insights to strengthen decision-making and improve people outcomes.
What you’ll bring
* Substantial experience in senior HR leadership within large, multinational, B2C companies.
* Strong understanding of German labour law and experience working with the Betriebsrat.
* Proven ability to deliver strategic HR change in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
* Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
* Fluent in both German and English, with the ability to operate confidently at the executive level.
* Strong commercial understanding and the ability to connect HR strategy to business outcomes.
* Familiarity with HRIS systems and HR data analytics tools.
If this is something of interest, please do apply or reach out to mark.etherington@middlemore.co.uk