Overview
A leading global economics consulting firm is looking to appoint a Manager (Office Administration & HR).
This position is responsible for managing and facilitating HR benefits and administrative and operations functions in the firm’s Paris and Brussels offices. The Manager must be a proactive leader who can anticipate the needs of executive leadership and is capable of managing multiple project workstreams with little oversight. In collaboration with the Administrative Director, the manager will consult leaders on a wide variety of HR and administrative topics. This role will contribute to the implementation of the new systems and procedures intended for the consulting and administrative teams.
The manager may be tapped to support the needs of other administrative departments at the local level in Europe, such as collaborating with the finance team on client billing and ad hoc requests
This position will be responsible for managing the administrative assistant located in Brussels.
Given the responsibilities of this role, the Manager must exercise good judgement, build trust with senior leadership, evaluate current workflows, provide clear guidance on changes, drive results, and execute with a commitment to high quality.
Key Responsibilities
HR Related
- Support the Administrative Director, Europe to provide expert guidance and council to business leaders and broader HR team on local labor practices, employment law, compliance, total rewards, benefits strategies, paid time off, etc.
- Participate in local benefits strategies, including competitive benefits for each geography, statutory requirements, parental leave, childcare support, etc. Serve as local point of contact for employee benefit questions.
- Responsible for applying the local paid time off strategies: types, usage, guidance to employees.
- Manage the proper application of employment contracts in hiring.
- Participate in the monthly pay slip preparation with the payroll department.
- Collaborate with HR and relevant managers for recruitment and onboarding of new employees.
- Provide guidance around best HR / Payroll technology systems to use for European offices, complementing or replacing current systems. Collaborate with HR and payroll teams as necessary on payroll issues.
- Handle other operational aspects of HR support for Paris and Brussels offices as needed.
- Oversee hiring, professional development, and performance.
Office Administration / Operations Related
- Ensure the proper functioning of the Paris and Brussels offices.
- Manage the front desk team.
- Be the main point of contact for the office subtenant and landlord.
- Provide general office management functions such as executive support, travel, facilities and IT support, landlord relations, office assignments, and procurement, etc.
- Understand ongoing needs and preferences of local executive leadership. Balance these against firm-wide goals and expectations. Adjust as needed over time.
- Lead or participate in team initiatives, introduce new systems and/or improve the effectiveness of the administrative and operations function.
- Handle the organization of internal events for Paris and Brussels and collaborate with marketing and events department as necessary on clients’ events.
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
- Fluent in French and English. Knowledge of German or Dutch a plus.
- Bachelor’s degree required. Minimum of 8-10 years of experience working in administrative and human resources field in Europe, preferably within a professional services environment.
- Knowledge of French local labor practice Belgian is a plus, employment law, compliance needs, benefits strategies, paid time off strategies, collective bargaining agreements.
- Experience with HR information systems.
- Ability to combine strong local knowledge with practical advice and prioritization of what is most critical.
- Proven ability to quickly build strong, trusted relationships and influence stakeholders.
- Team player, flexibility to contribute where needed.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Periodic travel to Brussels office (approximately once a quarter) and Boston office (approximately once a year)
