Director, Global HR Compliance & Operations (UK Posting)

This job opportunity may be based in the UK, Switzerland, or Kenya. Vital Strategies will offer a competitive salary based on local market benchmarking. Additional locations in Europe and Africa where Vital Strategies is operational may be considered. The applicable salary ranges for the hiring locations are:

• UK: £110,000- £120,000
• Switzerland: CHF 120,000 to CHF 140,000
• Kenya: KES 14,000,000- KES 18,500,000

Duties & Responsibilities:

Global HR Operations

• Maintain a high-quality global HR operations function, including standardized policies where legally appropriate, standardized processes, technology, systems, tools, forms, and guidelines that are accessible, well understood, and consistently utilized across all offices.
• Balance global organizational standards and compliance requirements with the operational, cultural, and legal realities of individual country offices, ensuring an appropriate and practical approach across diverse environments.
• Build trusted relationships with global office leadership, HR and Country Directors, to encourage transparency, collaboration, and timely sharing of HR-related information necessary for effective operations, risk management, and compliance.
• Partner with, support, and advise global HR team members and Country Directors on HR operational matters; while supporting local HR partners in assuming HR functions locally as appropriate for each office.
• Lead global HR due diligence (terms and conditions of employment, infrastructure and documentation) and manage the maintenance of international office employee handbooks and guides for EOR-hired staff.
• Partner with leadership, programs, and operation teams in opening offices or establishing EORs; as well as closing offices or programs.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory reporting requirements, maintenance of required documentation, and timely responses to HR audits and coordinate with the risk management committee.
• In partnership with local HR teams, lead annual global employee benefits renewals, including plan design, vendor coordination, and budget management.
• Oversee global compensation programs, including salary benchmarking, pay review processes, compensation guidance, and manager training.
• Work with Talent Acquisition, Grants & Contracts and Global Finance to coordinate the annual and reforecast workforce budget.
• Oversee the establishment of EORs and the ongoing vendor/employee/manager relationships.
• Ensure the global HR team is trained in the core HR operational areas, as well as any Vital HR specific procedures and practices.
• Ensure that HR policies, procedures, and compliance documents are accessible to all staff via the organizational intranet “Vital Pulse”.
• Collaborate with HR team to implement, analyze, and maintain operational metrics and people data to inform decision-making and strengthen organizational effectiveness.
• Serve as a key HRIS company administrator and partner to global HR teams, leveraging technology to improve HR operations, reporting, compliance and data integrity.
• Partner with HR and operational leaders to ensure HRIS data accuracy globally, establish effective governance processes, and support local teams in maintaining timely and accurate employee records.

Compliance

• In collaboration with Legal and VP HR, ensure that HR processes, policies, recordkeeping, and forms are in compliance with regulations, country and local labor laws, and donor guidelines.
• Oversee policy, process and procedure documentation to ensure consistency, accessibility, and compliance across the organization.
• Conduct spot checks to employee files to ensure audit readiness and compliance; and provide training to HR team members responsible for maintaining documentation.
• Ensure compliance with the Vital global data retention policy for employee data and HR documentation.
• Identify and proactively mitigate HR operational and compliance risks through strong controls, monitoring, documentation practices, and partnership with local offices.

Employee Services

• Coordinate the development and maintenance of HR programs and tools, including policies and procedures, SOPs, manuals, management guidelines, and other HR infrastructure to support business units, proposals, and projects.
• Ensure all offices and employees hired through EOR arrangements have access to an HR Help Desk or equivalent support structure with timely communication, responsiveness, and follow-up.
• In consultation with the VP HR and General Counsel, and in coordination with HRBPs, manage complex employee relations matters in a balanced, fair, and objective manner using appropriate counseling, investigative, intervention, and mediation techniques.
• Serve as an internal consultant and facilitator to managers and employees in resolving employment and performance-related issues in collaboration with HR business partners as appropriate.
• In collaboration with the Director of Talent Management and HR Country Teams, ensure timely delivery of training to managers on HR operations, policies, systems, and practices; and support clear communication of Vital HR business practices to employees globally.
• Foster a service-oriented HR culture that emphasizes responsiveness, partnership, trust, consistency, and practical problem-solving across all global offices.

Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field required.
• Professional HR certification such as SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CIPD, or equivalent international HR certification preferred.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of global HR operations, employment practices, compliance requirements, and HR infrastructure across multiple countries and regions.
• Demonstrated ability to balance global organizational standards with local legal, cultural, and operational needs in diverse international environments.
• Strong relationship-building, influencing, and partnership skills, with the ability to establish trust and credibility across global offices and with leaders at all levels.
• High degree of diplomacy, cultural sensitivity, discretion, and sound judgment when managing complex and sensitive employee and organizational matters.
• Ability to proactively gather, assess, and synthesize information from multiple stakeholders and environments to identify operational or compliance risks and support informed decision-making.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced global environment.
• Excellent verbal, written communication, and active listening skills, including the ability to communicate complex HR concepts clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to use people data and metrics to drive operational improvements and business decisions.
• Service-oriented leadership approach with a focus on collaboration, responsiveness, practical solutions, and continuous improvement.
• Strong facilitation, training, and coaching skills for managers, HR teams, and employees.
• High level of integrity and ability to manage confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Strong technology proficiency and ability to leverage HR systems and tools to improve operational effectiveness, reporting, workforce analytics, compliance, and employee experience.
• Fluency in English required.
• Knowledge of global HR operational best practices and employment lifecycle processes.
• Knowledge of compensation, benefits, employee