People &Culture Lead - Alexion Switzerland and Central & Northern Europe

About the Role

Alexion Europe & International is seeking an experienced and passionate HR professional to lead HR for our Switzerland site, which supports 150 employees focused on rare diseases. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape HR policies and practices that enhance the employee experience, streamline processes, and drive operational excellence. As a member of Alexion and AstraZeneca HR team you will get an opportunity to contribute in global HR initiatives.

Key Responsibilities
 

HR Leadership for Switzerland Site

• Policy Development: Create and implement HR policies and practices tailored to the needs of Alexion Switzerland, ensuring alignment with our core values of employee experience, simplification, and operational excellence.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the AstraZeneca HR team in Switzerland, Global People Services, and Global Center of Expertise teams to integrate and align HR strategies.
• Employee Experience: Foster a positive and engaging workplace for Alexion employees in Switzerland.
   

 HR partnering with Alexion Central & Northern Europe (CENE)

• Strategic HR Partnership: Support HR functions for the CENE region, including employees in the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and Nordic countries.
• Organizational Development: Ensure the organization’s structure, capabilities, and ways of working support business success.
• Workforce Planning: Develop and maintain a workforce plan for CENE, including recruitment needs and future capability assessments.
• Leadership Collaboration: Core member of the CENE leadership team and partner with the leadership team to drive people and culture initiatives.
• Talent Development: Promote a culture of talent development and coaching within the CENE business area.
• Culture Initiatives: Lead initiatives to enhance organizational culture, such as psychological safety, employee wellbeing, and creating a great place to work.
• HR Operations: Coordinate with AstraZeneca local HR teams in CENE countries to ensure effective HR operations.
   

General Responsibilities

• Trend Monitoring: Stay updated on emerging HR trends and innovations in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Innovation Advocacy: Champion new and innovative HR practices to improve ways of working.
   

Qualifications

• Experience: Proven experience in developing and implementing local HR policies in a global setting.
• Skills: Strong collaboration, communication, and leadership skills.
• Knowledge: Familiarity with HR trends and practices, particularly within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Education: Relevant HR qualifications or equivalent experience.
   

Core HR accountabilities:

• Oversee senior level recruitments and maintain oversight of all recruitments into the CENE business area.
• Maintain strategic workforce plan for CENE, drive discussions on organisation development and identify & drive people and culture initiatives in CENE business area.
• Coach and support line managers in the application of Swiss HR policies and practices.
• Provide advice and guidance on complex HR issues in order to minimise risk and financial exposure.
• Support line managers in poor performance management (PIP) in Switzerland.
• Provide support in Swiss HR legal issues and ensure the execution of employee involuntary leave processes (incl. termination, redundancy etc.) 
• Ensure compliance to Global HR Policies in all aspects of HR applications.
• Collaborate with AstraZeneca People Services team to manage HR operational work in the countries in scope.
• Proactively contribute in cross-functional HR initiatives and drive to find shared solutions across AstraZeneca and Alexion HR teams.

Essential Experience:

• Previous HR Generalist experience (minimum of 8 years)
• Experience in working in a global organisation
• Advanced working knowledge in employment legislation in Switzerland
• Experience in managing employee benefits in Switzerland
• Ability to communicate effectively in German and English
• Curiosity and interest to learn
• Strong emotional intelligence, listening, influencing and coaching skills
• Experience of coaching & challenging business leaders
• Technical HR knowledge/skills in some of the following areas: Talent Acquisition, Performance & Reward, Learning & Development, Organisation Design planning, HR Analytics
• Good business acumen and communication skills
• Experience of managing business change
• Good project management skills; able to demonstrate experience of managing HR projects through a complete life cycle
• Ability to balance different expectations and tasks
• Previous experience in handling HR across multiple countries in Europe is a benefit
• Understanding of payroll is a benefit

So, what’s next?

Are you ready to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available and we hope it’s yours!

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.