Senior HR Generalist

This Senior HR Generalist position is a key role within a compact HR team of three, reporting directly to the HR Lead Belgium. You will take ownership of the operational HR agenda—covering payroll, benefits, HR systems, and compliance—while also contributing to learning initiatives, employee communication, and local or regional HR projects.

The role requires a hands-on, reliable HR professional who values accuracy, collaboration, and discretion. You will be trusted with responsibilities that are critical to the day-to-day functioning of the affiliate and will have the opportunity to gradually develop your scope into broader HR advisory and project work.

Key responsibilities

Operational HR – Payroll, Benefits, Compliance, and Systems

• Manage end-to-end payroll processes through including auditing, tax reconciliations, bonus reviews, share vesting, long-term incentives, cafeteria plans, and specific cases related to international employee mobility.
• Ensure the accuracy and timely execution of payroll cycles, in compliance with internal policies and Belgian regulations.
• Maintain and update employee data and HR workflows in Workday; ensure output consistency and integration with payroll systems.
• Oversee the full benefits lifecycle, including group and health insurance, mobility budget (in place of a company car), and individual selections within the cafeteria plan.
• Conduct annual benchmarking and analysis of benefits competitiveness in collaboration with external providers.
• Administer employment contracts and related documentation; ensure audit-readiness and structured recordkeeping.
• Contribute to the preparation and response for external audits and ensure alignment with internal compliance expectations.

People & Culture – Learning, Engagement, and HR Projects

• Coordinate learning and development programs, in partnership with your L&D colleague, including onboarding, internal learning sessions, and access to external opportunities.
• Contribute to employee engagement activities and internal communication, including speak-up initiatives, events, and ad hoc feedback channels.
• Support or co-lead cross-functional HR projects, either locally or in partnership with the regional team (e.g., onboarding process redesign, development of career tracks).
• Act as a trusted point of contact for managers and employees on day-to-day HR matters; support the HR Lead in sensitive processes such as restructuring, departures, or complex employee relations topics.

The profile

Experience and Background

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in HR Generalist, Payroll, or Compensation & Benefits roles.
• Deep familiarity with Belgian payroll and labor law, including end-to-end payroll processing, tax compliance, and benefit administration.
• Experience managing HR systems (preferably Workday) and integrating them with payroll processes.
• Exposure to international profiles and cross-border compensation topics is considered a strong asset.
• Previous experience in a multinational and/or pharmaceutical company is a plus.

Languages

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.
• Fluency in Dutch is strongly preferred.
• French is considered an asset.

Personal Qualities and Skills

• Pragmatic, structured, and dependable in execution.
• Values discretion, accuracy, and trust.
• Collaborative mindset, able to work closely with team members and business stakeholders.
• Comfortable in a flexible, informal environment with shared ownership.
• Eager to grow into broader advisory or project-based HR work over time.