Regional Director, Local HR Operations Americas/Country Head of Local HR Operations USA

Wärtsilä is an innovative technology company known for being a forerunner in the Marine and Energy markets. Every day, we – Wärtsilians - put our hearts and minds into turning Wärtsilä's purpose of decarbonizing the marine and energy industries.

Regional Director, Local HR Operations Amerias / Country Head of Local Operations USA

We are looking for a strong Regional HR Director, Americas who is passionate about innovative and modern HR work. Wartsila is seeing strong growth in the Americas region and in this role, you would focus on partnering with our leadership to support that growth. You will ensure that we have effective and efficient HR professionals, systems and processes in place on the local level but will also keep the bigger picture in mind and have a clear understanding of how your region fits into Wartsila’s global strategy. This position is to be located in the US, preferably in Fort Lauderdale FL or Houston TX.

What will you be doing

You will be responsible for driving the People strategy through the HR Local Operations team. You will be responsible for effective working relationships between the company, the employee and other stakeholders (unions, local authorities and legally mandated service providers), ensuring employee engagement by driving a culture of fairness and inclusion. Your team will not only focus on supporting and navigating local leaders and managing directors on legally mandated local practices (incl. disciplinary actions, grievances, code of conduct issues etc.), they will also advise local management in employment related matters and support employee wellbeing.

The purpose of the role is to be a true local people partner, ensuring proper governance, local compliance and equal treatment in an efficient and effective way.

Are you ready to jump on board?

Among your accountabilities will also be involved in owning the HR policies and guidelines related to the USA, in line with local and global HR processes, timely and correct payroll and benefit services, and fulfilling all legal obligations belonging to payroll (i.e. tax, pension). A strong focus of your team will also be on continuous service improvement in all areas of delivery.

As Regional HR Director, your work will focus on these responsibilities:

• Partner with business leadership and stakeholders to ensure our HR team is supporting the business’ growth and strategic objectives
• Act as key HR interface for relevant management in related people processes and ensure consistent HR practices and support in all HR related matters for the respective organisation.
• Lead, develop and manage your regional HR organisation in collaboration with HR specialist teams to ensure high quality HR Local Operations.
• Actively drive operational excellence in all activities to continuously improve performance
• Act as the Head of Local HR Operations for the USA
• Manage a team that provides a wide range of expertise and HR Services and continuously identify opportunities for process efficiency and upskilling.
• Develop a deep understanding of local requirements to successfully manage synergies and collaboration between all HR stakeholders
• Maintain contacts with Managing Directors on local people related matters within your country, advising/partnering/coaching managers in all people matters
• Stimulate the exchange of local wellbeing practices and ensuring a minimum level of local facilities and benefits
• Ensure Regional and country benefits and reward strategies are planned, executed and all legal requirements are considered and adhered to.
• Driving diversity and equal opportunities in everything we do is a top priority.
• The ultimate responsibility of the role will be to ensure the HR team operates efficiently and aligns with our business objectives.

The below will enable you to shine in this role:

• Proven ability to understand business strategies and translate these into an actionable HR services via direct and matrix centralized People Services organisation
• Extensive working knowledge of USA employment law issues and best practice, to ensure compliance
• Working knowledge of employment law issues and best practice in Latin America, including Brazil
• High integrity, with an aptitude for building trustful, effective, and collaborative relationships at all levels across the HR functions, businesses and external stakeholders
• The ability to create clarity around people priorities and communicate these keeping the business value in focus.
• Ability to inspire, lead, coach and advise team members on performance improvement to create high-performing teams.
• Strong delivery focus, substantial track record in effective stakeholder engagement
• Prior experience in executing on business strategy, organizational design and changes, and mergers and acquisitions, as well as divestments.
• Passion for employee, specifically manager, development, engagement and retention, employer branding and managing change
• Customer orientation
• Aptitude for building trustful, effective and collaborative relationships at all levels across the HR functions and businesses.
• Ability to work in an international environment with a high number of stakeholders, ability to manage and influence internal & external stakeholders.
• Awareness of key HR Service Delivery needs in a multi-country and multi-cultural environment.
• 15+ years of Senior HR leadership experience with a multinational scope
• Minimum bachelor’s degree in a related field (Master’s degree preferred)

Why you and us

We at Wärtsilä believe in empowerment, ownership and taking responsibility of our work. We support each other’s growth and co-creation is the true basis of our innovation. We have courage to see opportunities and take initiative. We are authentic and honest, and we strongly believe in that by being your own true self you can accomplish so much more. We don’t always get it right the first time, and if mistakes are made, we make sure to learn and grow from them. We want everyone to voice their opinions freely. That is why we have built an environment that empowers you and everyone around you, and where you can feel safe and cared for.

If you feel excited by being a part of this working environment and think your personal skills and qualities match the job requirements, we look forward to receiving your job application.

Successful applicant must be authorized to work in the USA without sponsorship.

We look forward to hearing from you. Qualified candidates must apply online: http://www.wartsila.com/en/careers/vacancies.

Wärtsilä North America values our employees. We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Wärtsilä North America is an EOE/AA employer.

Vaccination is a vital tool to reduce the presence and severity of COVID-19 cases in the workplace, in communities, and in the nation as a whole. The spread of COVID when working in customer facilities and project sites can lead to costly site shutdowns, for which Wärtsilä could be deemed financially responsible. Many local government authorities require proof of vaccination to enter the state or country, and many of our customers require proof of vaccination to be on a project site. In line with legal regulations Wärtsilä has implemented a COVID-19 policy on vaccination and testing to reduce the risk of transmission on Wärtsilä premises. Wärtsilä strongly encourages all employees to be vaccinated to protect themselves and other employees.

Last application date: 13/01/2023

At Wärtsilä we value, respect and embrace all our differences, and are committed to diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunities; everyone can be their true self and succeed based on their job-relevant merits and abilities.