In 2024 a new BCG hub will open in Lisbon. The hub will be a dynamic and collaborative environment bringing together a diverse range of Business Services Teams serving our BCG colleagues across the region and beyond. Teams will include Executive Support Services, Finance Operations and HR Operations.

You will be a key member of the leadership team for this new office, and one of the first employees on the ground. Charged with setting up & delivering best in class HR Operations you will team with colleagues from across the firm to hire and onboard into the new hub and to ensure delivery of HR Operations across the employee life-cycle.

You will have an in-depth understanding of Portuguese employment laws and regulations; enabling you to design and implement HR policies and practices; advise Line Managers and the HR Business Partners responsible for the teams you support, and provide hands on support on ER matters.

You will be a true team-player, able to manage multiple senior stakeholders and understand and balance a diverse set of needs and priorities. Strong project management and communication skills will be essential to translate the business strategy into HR solutions which meet the needs of the organisation, and help embed our strong BCG culture.

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Working closely and partnering with HR colleagues, leadership, managers and employees to address a variety of workplace and employee relations issues and topics; providing guidance and pursing solutions that balance individual, firm and functional needs
• Interpreting, implementing and answering inquiries related to HR policies and procedures, while ensuring consistency and reinforcing adherence as appropriate
• Working with internal legal team, when necessary, on employment issues
• Partnering with team managers on set up and administration of performance improvement plans

Compliance & Policies

• Ensure appropriate HR policies are in place, understood and implemented, guide on when global, regional or local policies apply

Employee Life-cycle Management

• Leverage the shared-services teams to ensure the deliver of all HR operations processes related to the employee lifecycle (file management, letters, leave management etc.)
• Drive probationary reviews for all hosted employees, managing the process, and advising on decisions as required

On-Boarding, Transfers, Leaves, Mobility and Employee Departures

• Coordinate the delivery of a positive and successful onboarding experience for all new staff. Own, shape and deliver content on all HR aspects
• Partner with BU HR Business Partners provide transfer support for employees based in the Lisbon office; managing and coordinating internal transfers, which may include movements between functions, offices, and/or countries
• Provide advisory support to employees/managers about GS mobility practices
• Oversee and managing employee departures including rigorous employee exit interviews and sharing back observations & analysis with leadership

Teaming and Leadership

• Act as thought partner for HR Business Partners across various business units, line managers and employees on HR operational matters, providing appropriate, effective and pragmatic advice and guidance to GS HR Business Partners, employees, colleagues and managers, as needed
• Be a key contributing member to Lisbon Leadership Team shaping office and team culture to create a positive, collaborative environment
• Participate in the EMESA and Global HR Network as a contributor to improvement in policy and process enhancement projects as well as to ensure GS remains aligned to broader BCG HR organization
• Work on local, regional and global projects and contributing as an active member to regional and global and HR initiatives
• Partnering with the Lisbon Office Leader to provide expert advice on Lisbon talent landscape and opportunities for business to include in the workforce plans

YOU’RE GOOD AT

• You are comfortable in a ‘start-up’ environment, have a positive can-do attitude and are comfortable with ambiguity. You are able to adapt and pivot quickly depending on the needs of the moment whilst still maintain a focus on the long-term goal
• At the same time you understand the need for rigour, process and consistency which come from being part of an established global organisation and are able to align with global norms and exceed expectations.
• You will need to be a quick study to be able to learn and understand the Business Services functions hosted in the Lisbon hub, where they are on their transformation journeys and how you can provide the operational support required to support them
• You will need to be able to build strong working relationships with our Global, Regional and local HR teams to provide a seamless employee experience
• You will be expected to provide forward thinking recommendations as we continue to evolve and adapt our HR service model and programs to meet our changing business needs.

You Bring (experience & Qualifications)

• Fluency in English and good working knowledge of Portuguese – fluent Portuguese preferred
• Strong knowledge of Portugese. Portuguese employment laws and regulations, knowledge of other European laws is a plus
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Human Resources, Organization Development or other related field is required; advanced degree and other HR qualifications a plus
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive HR experience in a global and matrixed environment, providing guidance and influence to Senior level/Executive leadership team members
• Experience with performance management, employee relations and HR managements systems such as WorkDay
• Exceptional interpersonal & communication skills, sound judgement and the ability to juggle many often competing priorities simultaneously
• An active team player with strong organizational, analytical and project management skills, with an ability to influence
• Comfortable in both working in detail and understanding the big picture; able to consider the ramifications of decisions on various constituencies
• Reason minded with a pragmatic and hands on approach
• Strong excel and PowerPoint, Slack, Trello and Sharepoint skills