HR Sr Associate – Romania, Bulgaria

Reporting to HR Head Romania, Bulgaria & Israel, the HR Sr Associate is responsible for delivering high-quality HR and administrative support across Romania, Bulgaria, and Israel. This role ensures smooth execution of all HR operational processes, payroll accuracy, and compliance with local employment legislation. In addition, the position manages office administration, fleet coordination, health & safety compliance, and employee engagement initiatives.

The role requires a hands-on professional with strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and geographies within a dynamic pharmaceutical environment.

Key Responsibilities:

1. HR Administration & Employee Services

• Serve as the primary point of contact for HR-related matters for employees in Romania, Bulgaria, and Israel.
• Manage the full employee lifecycle: hiring, onboarding, job changes, benefits, and offboarding.
• Prepare and manage employment contracts, addenda, and other employment documentation in line with local legislation.
• Maintain and update employee records in HR systems and personnel files, ensuring GDPR compliance.
• Support HR reporting, organizational charts, headcount tracking, and organizational data accuracy.

2. Payroll Management

• Coordinate monthly payroll processing for all three countries in partnership with external payroll providers.
• Validate timekeeping, bonuses, benefits, and other variable inputs to ensure accurate payroll.
• Act as the interface between employees, finance, and payroll vendors to resolve payroll-related queries.
• Continuously review and improve payroll processes for accuracy and efficiency.

3. Talent & Employee Experience

• Support recruitment and onboarding for new hires in collaboration with regional Talent Acquisition.
• Coordinate employee engagement activities, all staff meetings and company events.
• Assist in the rollout of performance management and talent development programs.
• Support communication of HR initiatives and policies to local teams.

4. Office Management

• Oversee the day-to-day running of offices in Romania, Bulgaria, and Israel, ensuring a professional and safe working environment.
• Manage relationships with landlords, vendors, and service providers (cleaning, maintenance, catering, utilities, etc.).
• Handle local procurement, invoice processing, and budget monitoring for office-related expenses.
• Ensure office resources and equipment are properly maintained and support workplace logistics.

5. Fleet Management

• Maintain active collaboration with RO & BG leasing providers to ensure prompt solutions and efficient leasing management.
• Update local fleet policies for RO & BG in alignment with regional guidelines and follow the guidelines in fleet management.
• Analyze mileage plans biannually to prevent excess costs at lease end.
• Monitor fuel consumption quarterly and send monthly reports to Finance for costs split.
• Coordinate lease/rent processes for new staff in RO & BG, ensuring timely orders and cost-effective car reallocations.
• Order new cars for RO & BG staff in accordance to local fleet policy.

6. Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

• Implement and maintain Health & Safety standards across sites, aligned with corporate and local requirements.
• Conduct periodic risk assessments, coordinate safety training, and ensure compliance with local regulations.
• Serve as the local contact for audits, inspections, and emergency preparedness activities.

7. HR Projects & Regional Collaboration

• Support regional HR initiatives, policy updates, and system implementations.
• Contribute to continuous improvement projects to enhance employee experience and operational efficiency.
• Ensure alignment with regional and global HR processes and standards.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• 3–6 years of experience in HR operations, payroll, or HR administration, ideally within the pharmaceutical or life sciences sector.
• Strong knowledge of Romanian labor law and payroll practices; familiarity with Bulgarian and Israeli employment regulations is an advantage.
• Proven experience coordinating multi-country HR operations and working with external vendors.
• Fluency in English and Romanian;
• Proficient in HRIS tools (Workday, SAP, etc.) and MS Office suite.

Key Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills across different cultures.
• Analytical mindset and attention to detail, especially in payroll and compliance.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities and manage operational complexity.
• Proactive, solution-oriented, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to confidentiality, integrity, and ethical conduct.