HR Generalist - EMEA
Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation and IoT. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office‑based roles; teams meet two to four times yearly in person.
Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the publisher of Ubuntu, we are changing the world of software and set high standards for people joining us. We recruit globally and most colleagues work from home.
Seniority Level
Employment Type
Job Function
Industries
Role responsibilities
- Provide HR guidance to team members and managers, setting high expectations of behaviour and performance.
- Partner with line managers to provide employee relations advice on global policies and procedures.
- Ensure accuracy and timeliness in processing employee changes, joiners and leavers.
- Manage and drive benefit programs spanning our EMEA locations (UK, Ireland, France, Germany and Spain).
- Liaise with our finance team on monthly payroll, projects and enquiries.
- Support the full life‑cycle of HR including onboarding, benefit administration, and departure.
- Apply critical thinking to automate and reduce administrative tasks.
- Take a lead role in the management, continued development, and integration of our HR system.
- Act as a system expert and advocate for the global HR team.
- Produce data‑driven reports to inform and influence HR initiatives.
- Lead and participate in projects where you’ll see the impact of your work.
- Support internal resource groups to drive initiatives such as diversity and inclusion.
- Create, update and maintain corporate policies that have a global lens with local application.
- Ensure consistency of application of our HR policies and procedures.
Qualifications
- Exceptional academic track record from both high school and university.
- Relevant professional qualification and certifications.
- Excellent practical insights into German, UK and/or French HR practices and employment laws.
- Knowledge of other EMEA laws and practices is beneficial.
- Self‑directed, organised problem‑solver with the ability to prioritise and meet goals and deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion, sound judgement, tact and diplomacy in all communications.
- Fearless and principled approach to professional interactions at every level of the business with commitment to confidentiality of sensitive information.
- Willingness and ability to travel up to 4 times a year for internal events, with at least one trip of two full working weeks.
Benefits
- Distributed work environment with twice‑yearly team sprints in person.
- Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year.
- Annual compensation review.
- Recognition rewards.
- Annual holiday leave.
- Maternity and paternity leave.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues.
- Priority Pass, and travel upgrades for long‑haul company events.
- We consider geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide and revisit it annually.
Canonical is an equal‑opportunity employer. We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and background create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.
