HR Specialist, South Europe (Italian OR French speaker)

On seeks a Senior HR Specialist based in Zürich to lead HR operations for South Europe, supporting France and Italy with local labor law expertise and Workday proficiency.

As On’s HR team expands to manage rapid growth, this Senior HR Specialist role anchors the HR Operations function for the South European region. The position primarily covers France and Italy while also providing support to other entities across EMEA, requiring a professional who thrives in fast-paced, scale-up, or retail settings.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR contact for France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.
• Advise managers, HR Business Partners, and internal teams on local labor regulations and employee relations.
• Organize and conduct training sessions for stakeholders regarding updates in country-specific legislation.
• Manage the complete employee offboarding process and related administration for each designated country.
• Collaborate with the Total Rewards team to implement new benefits and conduct periodic reviews.
• Oversee leave management and administration, working closely with payroll specialists.
• Assist HR Business Partners with internal investigations.
• Guide employees and business units on compliance matters, including policies, benefits, employment structures, and leave protocols.
• Participate in local audits, health and safety initiatives, and mandatory regulatory reporting.
• Evaluate business proposals for compliance risks, offering proactive solutions grounded in local laws.
• Implement new initiatives to ensure adherence to National Compliance Authority (NCA) standards.
• Assist with the launch of new markets, entities, store openings, and acquisitions.
• Act as the liaison for trade unions and works councils on behalf of the Employee Relations team.
• Enhance regional HR operational processes to align with global standards.
• Lead regional HR operations projects and contribute to global HR initiatives.

Requirements

• Five to eight years of experience in HR Operations or as an HR Specialist.
• Fluent command of English.
• Professional proficiency in either Italian or French.
• Practical experience using Workday as an HRIS.
• Deep understanding of local labor laws, social security, and tax compliance in at least one target market.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, meticulous attention to detail, and experience handling sensitive data with a service-oriented mindset.
• Resilience when facing ambiguous challenges or unknown situations.
• Ability to perform effectively in a dynamic environment and demonstrate creative problem-solving.

Nice to have

• Background in scale-up or multinational organizations.
• Knowledge of additional local languages beyond English, Italian, and French.
• Experience with labor laws and compliance across multiple local markets.
• Project management experience.
• Background in labor relations.
• Experience in retail operations.

About the company

The HR team at On distinguishes itself by rejecting conventional practices in favor of innovative approaches. They are dedicated to building, growing, and empowering employees to shape the company's future. The HR Operations group specifically aims to deliver a seamless and positive experience for all staff members at all times.

• The team avoids standard HR practices simply because they are traditional, preferring innovative methods.
• The organization focuses on enabling and empowering employees to drive the future of On.
• The HR Operations team is committed to creating a seamless and positive employee experience.