HR manager

Are you a results-driven and strategic HR Manager with experience in developing future-proof HR policies, a bridge builder between senior management and the shop floor, with a strong focus on organisational development, leadership and culture? Then we are looking for you!

The Environmental Sciences Group (ESG) is seeking a manager to strengthen the HR team and take HR services to the next level. You are able to optimise the employee experience and to develop and implement strategic development plans. As Head of HR, you are the connector within the HR team, with the ESG management team and with Corporate HR. In addition, you are eager to initiate organisational development and achieve tangible results in sustainable employability and in strengthening a pleasant, safe and healthy working environment for all ESG employees.

Together with management, line managers and HR Business Partners, you will continue to improve professional working relationships within ESG. In collaboration with the Centre of Expertise (CoE), you will help shape the ESG strategy for Recruitment, Vitality & Health, Organisational Design, and Learning & Development. Your key challenges within ESG lie in leadership, connection, change and culture.

Your tasks and responsibilities as Head of HR:

• Acting as a sparring partner and advisor to the management team, particularly in the areas of organisational development, (cultural) change and (team-related) casework
• Defining and achieving the objectives of the HR agenda within the ESG strategy, with a particular focus on people, culture and organisation
• Taking responsibility for the successful implementation of (WUR-wide) HR policies and themes. In the coming years, the focus will be on organisational development, cultural change, leadership, social safety and workload
• Leading various HR projects and themes across Wageningen University & Research (WUR)
• Being a people-oriented leader for 6 HR Business Partners (hierarchically), and in a matrix structure for CoE staff and HR support staff working for ESG
• Together with the other ESG heads of staff, contributing to the continuous improvement of services supporting the primary process

Your team

Our driven HR team consists of approximately 12 colleagues, of whom 6 work for ESG through the CoE and HR support departments. As a team, we strive to create a culture in which collegiality, authenticity and collaboration are key pillars. An informal way of working together and a good sense of humour are important to us. Together, we aim to foster an open and transparent culture and to further professionalise our service delivery.

About ESG

ESG consists of the Department of Environmental Sciences (16 chair groups), which conducts fundamental research and provides education, and Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR) (13 research teams), which focuses on applied research. ESG is highly international in terms of staff, education and research. The staff departments, including HR, support the primary processes.

You have a helicopter view, are genuinely interested in people, strong in stakeholder management, organisationally sensitive, a confident discussion partner, curious and well informed about new (HR) developments. With your advisory skills, empathy, diplomacy and persuasive power, you are able to create support and initiate organisational change. You know how to further develop the HR team into a strong and effective team that operates from its strengths.

In addition, you have:

• HBO/University level of working and thinking
• Leadership experience is an advantage
• At least 6–8 years of experience as an HR Business Partner or HR Advisor
• Experience in a complex project organisation is a strong advantage
• Excellent command of both Dutch and English

In our international working environment, English is increasingly used as the main language of communication. For this position, language level C1 is required.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8,3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of maximum €7.905,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 13). Additionally, For this role a contract for 32 tot 36 hours can be discussed. 

Partly in the context of budget cuts, we are considering the future management of HR and the role of Head of HR. What this will look like exactly will be the subject of further review in the coming years.

Working hours and working days can be arranged in consultation, with Friday being our HR Business Partner team day. The meeting of department heads also takes place on Fridays.

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. 

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center. This program helps your partner to get familiar with the Dutch culture, labour market and assists your partner to find a job.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Communitypage contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

For more information about the position, please contact directieesg@wur.nl

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Dax Teunissen, Corporate Recruiter, via dax.teunissen@wur.nl

Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

You can apply up to and including August 30, 2026. 

Applications are reviewed regularly. Therefore, the position may be filled before the stated closing date.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

​The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

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