Senior HR Business Partner

Are you, as a senior HR Business Partner, a strong discussion partner, proactive and focused on building connections, and do you enjoy initiating (organisational) change? Would you also like to help shape the future of HR services? Then we are looking for you!

Within our HR team of the Environmental Sciences Group, you will support the development of teams and the organisation as a whole, and contribute to the creation of integrated HR policy. You will advise and support various education and research groups in implementing this policy. You will build professional working relationships with managers and, together with the Centre of Expertise (CoE), contribute to Recruitment, Vital & Health, and Learning & Development. Your main challenges within ESG will relate to leadership, culture, organisational change, and people services.

Your tasks and responsibilities as Senior HR Business Partner include:

• Acting as sparring partner and adviser to managers (and the management team) on organisational development and team-related issues;
• Contributing to and playing an active role in the development and implementation of strategic workforce plans and organisational issues;
• Helping shape the HR agenda and being (jointly) responsible for the successful implementation of HR policy across ESG; in the coming years, the focus will be on organisational development, cultural transformation, leadership, social safety, and talent development;
• Participating in various HR domains and taking the lead in one HR domain and several HR projects. The domains include: People Services, People Growth, Social Safety & D&I, or People Services.

Your team
You will be working closely with our dedicated ESG HR team, consisting of around 12 colleagues. Together, we aim to create a culture in which collegiality, authenticity and collaboration are key pillars. An informal way of working and a sense of humour are important to us. As a team, we strive to build an open and transparent culture. We believe it is important that you are willing to work shoulder to shoulder with your colleagues and contribute to the further professionalisation of our HR services.

ESG consists of the Department of Environmental Sciences (20 chair groups), which conducts fundamental research and provides education, and Wageningen Environmental Research (13 WEnR research teams), which carries out applied research. ESG is highly international in its staff, education and research.

You are innovative and curious, which means you stay well informed about new developments. We expect data-driven advice and proactive solutions. With your advisory skills, empathy, diplomacy and persuasiveness, you are able to build support and initiate (organisational) change. You are a critical discussion partner and not afraid to engage in robust conversations.

You also bring:

• Higher professional or academic working and thinking level (HBO/WO);
• At least 8 years of experience as an HR Business Partner or HR Adviser;
• Experience in a complex project-based organisation is a strong advantage;
• Good command of both Dutch and English.

In our international working environment, English is used increasingly. For this role, a B2 language level 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 with a maximum of €6.228,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11). This position is for 24 - 28 hours. Working hours and working days can be arranged in consultation. This position is a temporary replacement due to illness, but we will offer you at least a one-year contract. Of course, we are happy to discuss any questions you may have about this.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

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 Community page 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 Erica Steen (erica.steen@wur.nl), Head HR Environment Sciences Group.

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

Internal applicants can apply until 21 December 2025, and everyone can apply until 18 Januari, 2026. For applications submitted before that time, we are happy to start the interview process earlier. So don’t hesitate to apply, we might speak to each other soon.

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure

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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