HR Generalist - EMEA

Overview HR Generalist - EMEA role at Canonical. 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 enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation and IoT. The company is founder‑led, profitable and growing, with 1200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office‑based roles. Teams meet two to four times yearly in person, in interesting locations around the world, to align on strategy and execution.

We are hiring an

HR Generalist

to support our EMEA region. With 1,200+ colleagues across 75 countries, we require an HR function that thinks and acts globally. The HR Generalist reports to our Regional HR Manager and will help build our company as we grow. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and create an HR function for the future. You should work independently, take a hands‑on approach, and interface effectively with professionals at all levels. Excellent communication, professional and interpersonal skills are essential, as is the ability to function in a proactive, innovative environment. We look to HR to support colleagues in their personal needs and development, and to maintain high standards across multiple teams, managers and directors.

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 location (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 with a global lens and local application.

Ensure consistency in the application of HR policies and procedures.

Qualifications

Exceptional academic track record from 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, organized 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.

Confidentiality and principled approach to professional interactions at every level of the business.

Willingness and ability to travel up to four 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.

About Canonical Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the company that publishes Ubuntu, we are changing the world of software. We recruit on a global basis and set a high standard for people joining the company. Most colleagues work from home since Canonical’s inception in 2004. Working here challenges you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game.

Canonical is an equal opportunity employer. We foster a workplace free from discrimination, and diversity of experience and perspective is valued. We will give every applicant fair consideration.

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