Regional HR Lead, Germany & UK (3 days per week)
Sonatype is the software supply chain security company. We provide the world’s best end-to-end software supply chain security solution, combining proactive protection against malicious open source, enterprise-grade SBOM management, and the leading open-source dependency management platform. This empowers enterprises to create and maintain secure, high-quality, and innovative software at scale.
As founders of Nexus Repository and stewards of Maven Central — the world’s largest repository of Java open-source software — we are pioneers. Our open-source expertise is unmatched, and our commitment to helping organizations build faster, safer software is unwavering. We harness AI and data intelligence to mitigate risk and drive powerful software development. More than 2,000 organizations, including 70% of the Fortune 100, rely on Sonatype to optimize their software supply chains.
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The Regional HR Lead is the primary HR partner for our UK, Germany, and broader EMEA employee population, responsible for delivering a strong, consistent employee experience while supporting business leaders across multiple functions.
This role blends regional ownership, employee relations, and HR program execution with light-touch business partnering. Success comes from prioritizing effectively, executing consistently, and helping employees and managers navigate people-related decisions with clarity and confidence.
As the only dedicated HR presence in the region outside of Talent Acquisition, this role serves as the go-to HR resource for managers and employees owning local culture, managing risk, and ensuring alignment with global HR practices.
This role will be part time with view to go full time in 2027, currently operating at 3x per week.
Core Responsibilities (with Business Outcomes):
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Serve as the primary HR lead for the UK (primarily), Germany and other European employee population (~100 employees)
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Own and actively shape the regional employee experience, culture, and engagement
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Provide day-to-day HR guidance to managers and employees across multiple business functions
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Ensure compliance with local employment laws, practices, and cultural expectations
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Act as the connector between regional teams and global HR
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Lead employee relations matters across the region, including performance concerns, workplace issues, and formal complaints
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Conduct investigations end-to-end for standard cases; partner with Legal and/or global HR on complex or high-risk matters
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Proactively monitor team health, morale, and emerging risks
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Coach managers on handling sensitive employee situations effectively and consistently
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Execute core HR programs in-region (performance management, compensation cycles, engagement surveys, etc.)
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Ensure programs are implemented consistently and effectively at the local level
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Partner with global Centers of Excellence (CoEs) to bring programs to life in the region
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Provide feedback to CoEs on what is and isn’t working locally
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Provide practical, on-demand guidance to managers on performance management, team effectiveness, and employee development
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Support managers in making sound people decisions aligned with company expectations
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Identify patterns and recurring challenges and escalate where broader solutions are needed
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Maintain awareness of workforce trends in-region (attrition, hiring, team structure, capacity)
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Support leaders in navigating team structure and resourcing decisions where needed
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Flag risks or gaps to business leaders and global HR partners
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Monitor engagement and sentiment (eNPS, surveys, informal signals)
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Partner with leaders to address engagement gaps and strengthen team culture
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Act as an early warning system for morale, retention, or leadership challenges
1. Regional HR Ownership & Site Leadership
What you’ll do:
2. Employee Relations & Risk Management
What you’ll do:
3. HR Program Execution & Operational Support
What you’ll do:
4. Manager Support & Leadership Effectiveness (Light-Touch Business Partnering)
What you’ll do:
5. Workforce Awareness & Organizational Support (Light-Touch)
What you’ll do:
6. Proactive Culture & Engagement Management
What you’ll do:
How Performance is Measured:
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Employee relations case resolution (quality, timeliness, consistency)
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Employee engagement (eNPS / survey outcomes)
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Attrition trends (with focus on regrettable attrition)
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Manager effectiveness and confidence in handling people matters
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Adoption and execution quality of HR programs
Role Scope & Operating Model:
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Business partnering is light-touch and prioritized, not deeply embedded in a single function
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The role balances strategic awareness with hands-on execution
This is a broad, multi-functional role supporting multiple business units across the region. As a result:
Success depends on judgment, prioritization, and knowing where to go deep vs. where to stay broad.
What This Role Is (and Is Not):
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The primary HR owner for the region
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A hands-on executor of HR programs and employee experience
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A trusted advisor to managers on day-to-day people matters
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A proactive monitor of culture, risk, and engagement
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A dedicated HR Business Partner to a single function
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Responsible for designing global HR programs
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A purely strategic or advisory role removed from execution
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6–10+ years of HR experience, with strong generalist or HR lead background
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Experience handling employee relations and investigations independently
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Comfortable supporting multiple business functions simultaneously
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Strong judgment and ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment
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Knowledge of UK (and ideally German) employment practices and regulations
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Practical, solutions-oriented approach to HR
This role is:
This role is not:
Ideal Profile
Our Values in Action
At Sonatype, we believe that how we work is just as important as what we build. Our values shape how we partner, make decisions, and support one another every day.
Inclusive Collaboration
We build trust through partnership, respect diverse perspectives, and believe better outcomes come from working together. In this role, you’ll collaborate across leaders, employees, and specialist teams to bring clarity and consistency to the EMEA employee experience.
Trust & Accountability
This role relies on integrity, sound judgment, and follow-through. You’ll be trusted with sensitive situations, expected to communicate clearly, and counted on to help leaders and employees navigate important moments with confidence.
Be Bold & Lead
You’ll have the opportunity to shape how HR partnership shows up in-region, bring perspective to complex challenges, and help leaders make thoughtful decisions as the business continues to grow.
Things that we are proud of:
Sonatype has been recognized across product, innovation, and workplace excellence, including Built In Best Places to Work, Fast Company Best Workplaces for Innovators, and industry recognition in software composition analysis and enterprise SaaS.
We also care deeply about creating an environment where people can do great work and show up as themselves, with support through inclusive practices, flexibility, and employee-centered programs.
Location and working approach:
This role is based in London and is expected to work from our Shoreditch High Street office as needed. Travel is part of the role, including occasional travel to the United States.
Equal opportunity
At Sonatype, we value diversity and inclusivity. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an environment where people of all backgrounds can thrive. If you need accommodation during the hiring process, please let us know.
If you’re energized by building trust, supporting employees, and helping leaders navigate people priorities with clarity and confidence, this could be a meaningful next step in your career at Sonatype.
Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
- Health Insurance
- Health Reimbursement Account
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- FSA With Employer Contribution
- HSA
- HSA With Employer Contribution
- FSA
- Pet Insurance
- Mental Health Benefits
Parental Benefits
- Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
- Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
- Adoption Leave
Work Flexibility
- Flexible Work Hours
- Remote Work Opportunities
Office Life and Perks
- Casual Dress
- Happy Hours
- Snacks
- Company Outings
Vacation and Time Off
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Personal/Sick Days
- Volunteer Time Off
Financial and Retirement
- 401(K)
- Performance Bonus
- Company Equity
Professional Development
- Promote From Within
- Shadowing Opportunities
- Access to Online Courses
- Lunch and Learns
Diversity and Inclusion
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program
- Founder led