CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS)
People Lead - Northern Europe
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ABOUT CBRE GLOBAL WORKPLACE SOLUTIONS
CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) is part of the CBRE Group and employs more than 140,000 people worldwide. We deliver fully integrated solutions across real estate, facilities management, and technology for owners, occupiers, and investors globally. As the world's leading provider of workplace solutions in over 100 countries, GWS is committed to solving complex challenges throughout the entire building lifecycle.
At CBRE, we believe that diversity makes us stronger. We welcome applications from people with different backgrounds and experiences across industries, even if you do not meet every single requirement listed.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Join us in London and bring your unique expertise and perspective to our team.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Regional People Director is a strategic leader for the Local Europe People function, working collaboratively with Local Europe Vice President to deliver the GWS Local Strategy and ensure full alignment with the Local Operating Model. The role reports to the Head of People, Local Europe.
The Regional People Director will be a trusted advisor and people leader to the VP, championing a People strategy that drives measurable impact in talent management, learning and development, employee engagement, people practices, organizational culture and business performance. The role is pivotal in driving people initiatives that directly support the achievement of business objectives, embedding the Local Operating Model across all people practices, and ensuring the GWS Local Strategy is at the heart of every decision and action. The Regional People Director will also lead transformation initiatives—including new wins, transitions, M&A and restructures—ensuring these are executed with rigour and in line with the GWS Local Strategy and Operating Model.
The incumbent will act as coach, challenger, and trusted advisor to the Vice President and Leadership Team, championing a People strategy that delivers measurable value in talent management, learning and development, employee engagement, people practices and processes and organizational culture. The Regional People Director will also lead transformation initiatives—including new wins, transitions, M&A and restructures—ensuring these are executed in line with the GWS Local Strategy and Operating Model.
The Regional People Director will work with the leadership team to embed a culture based on CBRE's RISE values which underpins high-performance, fairness, teamwork, growth and people development to achieve our vision and targets. This role brings industry-leading expertise across all areas of the People discipline and a commitment to advancing the People agenda within a complex, multi-country environment. The Regional People Director will position CBRE as a market-leading employer across Northern Europe, providing a unique 'edge' when bidding for and retaining customers.
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To be successful the Regional People Director will be a visible and vocal leader, not afraid to be innovative or disruptive to achieve the best outcomes. At all times the Regional People Director will act with the highest amounts of integrity and professional standards.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Alignment & Delivery:
- Partner with the Vice President to translate the GWS Local Strategy into actionable people plans and ensure all people initiatives are aligned to the Local Operating Model and broader Local Europe People structure.
- Lead the People function in supporting delivery for part of the Local Europe business plan and People Team Roadmaps, ensuring measurable impact on business performance.
- Actively drive alignment across the region to the Local Operating Model, embedding its principles in all aspects of people management and organizational development.
Analytics & Change Management:
- Use data-driven insights to anticipate talent needs and inform competitive decision-making.
- Act as a change expert, ensuring employee engagement and communication are central to all change programmes.
- Take the lead in managing works councils, trade unions or similar stakeholders/parties representing employee interests in the workplace
Culture & Engagement:
- Create and deliver initiatives that preserve and develop the organizational and regional culture, ensuring these are consistent with the GWS Local Strategy, and People Roadmap.
- Constantly review and assess the culture of the organisation through active, vocal engagement with leaders and managers and take any steps necessary to maintain CBRE's culture and RISE values.
- Lead employee engagement surveys and action plans, using results to further align the organization with strategic goals.
Leadership & Stakeholder Management:
- Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, acting as a commercially astute business partner and championing the business strategy.
- Provide leadership on People policies and processes, ensuring they are developed and implemented in line with country practices, business / corporate requirements and external legal requirements.
- Provide insight and practices from outside of CBRE to stretch internal thinking/practices and advise internal users on current and future market capabilities.
- Be visible and accessible to stakeholders and employees.
- Contribute to the broader leadership of Local People team.
People Support & Team Leadership:
- Deliver People support that meets day-to-day business and employee needs.
- Attract, recruit, and retain People Team members who are committed to delivering in roles.
- Foster a high-performance, delivery-based culture and a 'one team' ethos across the network.
- Work closely with People Shared Services and Centres of Excellence to ensure business needs are met and a seamless, collaborative service is delivered to internal stakeholders by the whole People function.
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YOUR PROFILE
- Superior written and verbal communication skills
- 100% customer focus, driving value and solutions that further company goals and the GWS Local Strategy
- Experience working in a matrix environment and managing multiple stakeholders
- Deep HR experience, including multi-country talent environments, transitions, unions, and employment regulations
- Proven ability to lead change, transformation, and reorganization programmes aligned to strategic objectives
- Effectively manages teams, communicating vision/direction and motivating people
- Deep experience in the business partner and employee relations functions of HR
- Able to operate in a fast paced and high-volume business with strong resilience and an ability to lead and manage change
- CIPD qualified or equivalent
OUR BENEFITS
- A future proof job opportunity with guaranteed development prospects in one of the fastest growing FM markets worldwide
- A demanding role with a broad range of responsibilities and a high level of real management autonomy
- Excellent training opportunities with internationally recognized, state of the art certifications, plus a structured onboarding through our "Welcome Days"
- An attractive comprehensive compensation package
- An international working environment with inspiring cross-border career opportunities
- A friendly and collegial atmosphere paired with a dynamic and creative working culture
- DIVERSITY, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, and WORK LIFE BALANCE are part of our lived values!
Do you need more reasons to join CBRE? Check out our awards:
- Best Place to Work 2026 (Glassdoor)
- Best Workplace for Women 2026 (LATINA Style)
- TOP Company 2026 (Kununu)
- Commitment to Diversity and Talent Development Award 2025 (Datacloud Global Awards)
- Outstanding Contribution to Skills and Training Award 2025 (DCS Awards)
- Best Data Centre Operator 2025 (Data Centre World Awards)
ARE YOU THE "REGIONAL PEOPLE DIRECTOR" WE ARE LOOKING FOR?
If yes, please submit your CV (no cover letter needed) including your availability via our application system.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, color, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, or age.
Applicant AI Use Disclosure
We value human interaction to understand each candidate's unique experience, skills, and aspirations. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make hiring decisions, and we ask that candidates disclose any use of AI during the application and interview process.
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