At EMBL, we're transforming the way we work. Following the successful launch of our Workday HR Core platform, we're continuing our organisation-wide Workday journey and are looking for an experienced HR Systems Solution Expert to help shape the future of our people processes.

This is an exciting opportunity for an HR professional who combines strong operational HR knowledge with a passion for systems, process improvement and technology. Working at the intersection of HR and digital transformation, you'll help design and optimise HR solutions that support a world-leading international research organisation.

You'll work closely with HR colleagues, Workday specialists, IT teams and stakeholders across the organisation to ensure our HR processes are efficient, scalable and user-focused, while playing a key role in future Workday implementations and enhancements.

 

Your role

As our HR Systems Solution Expert, you'll act as the vital link between HR business needs and technical system delivery. You'll help translate complex requirements into practical solutions, driving continuous improvement across the employee lifecycle.

In this role you will:

• Partner with HR, ERP and IT colleagues to gather and translate business requirements into Workday solutions.

• Support ongoing Workday HCM implementation, optimisation and future module deployments.

• Review, map and improve HR processes, identifying opportunities for automation and simplification.

• Create and maintain process documentation, user guides and standard operating procedures.

• Deliver training and workshops to HR colleagues and end users.

• Support testing activities, including User Acceptance Testing (UAT), issue resolution and validation of system changes.

• Review new Workday releases and assess their impact on the organisation.

• Help maintain effective Workday security and user access structures.

• Troubleshoot complex HR systems issues and provide expert guidance on best practice.

• Collaborate with colleagues across HR, Finance, Procurement and Grants to ensure integrated business processes.

• Champion continuous improvement and promote scalable, efficient ways of working.

You have

To be successful you'll be an experienced HR professional with a strong understanding of HR systems and a genuine interest in improving processes through technology.

You'll bring

• A degree in Human Resources or equivalent professional experience.

• Experience supporting Workday HCM implementation or significant enhancement projects from the HR business side.

• Strong knowledge of HR processes and Workday HCM functionality.

• The ability to translate business requirements into clear functional specifications.

• Experience working with HRIS, ERP or Workday technical specialists and implementation partners.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Strong stakeholder management and communication abilities, with the confidence to engage both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Experience supporting testing, system change and user adoption activities.

• A collaborative, organised and solution-focused approach.

• Fluency in written and spoken English.

You might also have

• Experience working in an international or multicultural environment.

• Knowledge of SAP HR/Payroll or other ERP platforms

• Experience with HR reporting and data quality initiatives

• Familiarity with continuous improvement or process optimisation methodologies

• Additional European language skills.

Location: We are happy for this position to be based in Heidelberg or Hinxton, depending on your preference.

Contract length: 3 years (renewable up to 9 years)

Salary: Grade 6 (monthly salary starting at €4,459.95 after tax) + other paid benefits based on family circumstances. Excluding personal pension and insurance contributions.

Why join us

EMBL is curiosity-driven, community-oriented and international. As an inclusive, equal opportunity employer, we believe that diversity enables us to collaborate more effectively and be innovative in our approaches. We are, therefore, committed to creating an inclusive and flexible culture - one where everyone can realise their full potential and make a positive contribution to our organisation. 

We encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing team – we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and personal experiences reflect the diversity of the populations that our science serves. We actively encourage applications from all genders and cultures, ethnic groups and all demographics to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights at this transformational point in our people strategy.

Enjoy lots of benefits:

• Financial incentives: Salary free of income tax, Monthly family, child and non-resident allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances

• Flexible working arrangements

• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)

• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition to public holidays

• Relocation package including installation grant (if applicable)

• Campus life: Free shuttle bus (Heidelberg), library, subsidised on-site cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)

• Family benefits: Kindergarten (Heidelberg), 10 days of child sick leave, generous paid maternity/parental leave and monthly family & child allowances

• Benefits for international newcomers: Visa exemption, education grant for private schooling, financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non-resident allowance.

• For detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here

What else you need to know

• International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Visit our International Applicants page, to find out more.

• EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.

• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds.

• How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.

Closing Date