Job Description
People Partner Lead – EMEA
London (Hybrid)
Aerospace and Defence
More about the company:
Our client is an international organisation operating across aviation, aerospace and other complex, safety‑critical sectors. With teams across the UK, Europe and globally, they deliver specialist capabilities that support technical, operational and mission‑critical environments. As the organisation continues to scale, they are investing in their People function and creating a new People Partner Lead role for the EMEA region.
More about the role:
This is a rare opportunity to step in as the Regional People Partner Lead for Europe and take ownership of People Partnering, Operations, Employee Relations and Compliance across a rapidly expanding international footprint. You’ll be at the centre of shaping how the organisation grows, working directly with senior leaders to set people strategy, build scalable frameworks and elevate the employee experience in a dynamic environment.
This role provides broad exposure and a strong platform to drive meaningful change. You’ll combine strategic partnership with hands‑on impact, driving workforce planning, organisational design and leadership capability while building a mature and forward‑thinking ER function across multiple countries. This is a great opportunity if you thrive working within a fast paced, dynamic environment.
Key Responsibilities:
• Lead and develop the EMEA People team across partnering, operations, employee relations and compliance, building structure and a high‑performing culture as the region grows.
• Act as a strategic People Partner to senior leaders across Europe, shaping workforce planning, organisational design and leadership capability in a complex, multi‑jurisdiction environment.
• Build and mature the Employee Relations function, creating scalable processes that ensure fair, consistent and legally robust case management across the UK and Europe.
• Own regional compliance and people policy, ensuring alignment with employment legislation and regulatory requirements, working closely with legal and compliance teams.
• Oversee a high‑quality people operations function, delivering consistent support across the full employee lifecycle.
• Collaborate with global People Partner leaders to ensure alignment on frameworks, standards and enterprise‑wide initiatives.
• Work with Reward, People Development and Talent Acquisition teams to deliver integrated people programmes that support capability, growth and performance.
• Act as a change partner during periods of growth and transformation, coaching leaders and teams through organisational change.
More about you:
• Experience in aviation, aerospace, defence or other regulated, safety‑critical environments.
• Strong understanding of UK employment law with exposure to European frameworks.
• Confidence building credibility quickly with senior stakeholders.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑moving, high‑growth and operationally demanding setting.
• Experience delivering people initiatives across the full employee lifecycle.
• Strong communication and influencing skills at all levels.
• A practical, adaptable approach with the ability to move between strategy and hands‑on delivery.
• High integrity and a commitment to building inclusive, high‑performing teams.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a high performing and rapidly growing business. If this opportunity could be of interest please apply via the advert or reach yasmin.ahmad@catalystpartners.com