HR Manager, Europe

Who We Are:

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

JOB MISSION The HR Manager - Central Europe will lead the delivery of HR support across Germany, Austria and Poland, providing broad, operational HR support to associates and managers across both corporate and retail environments. We are seeking an experienced HR Manager with strong knowledge of employment legislation and HR practices across Germany, Austria and Poland, as well as proficiency in the relevant local language(s) to effectively support associates and stakeholders across the territory.

This role is hands‑on, requiring active involvement in higher‑complexity HR matters, including employee relations and employment law and other complex HR issues in addition to managing the HR team across the territory. You will act as the key HR escalation point for the Central Europe territory. While managing and developing a team of HR Generalists, you will also remain operationally involved, delivering HR support and managing key activities across the associate lifecycle.

The successful candidate will have proven experience managing and developing remote HR teams across multiple locations, while fostering collaboration, consistency and high‑quality HR service delivery across Germany, Austria and Poland. You will act as the Central cluster HR manager, connecting regional HR guidance with local operational delivery across Germany, Austria and Poland and ensuring HR practices remain aligned with local legislation and business needs.

This position reports directly to the Regional HR Manager, Europe.

• 1. People Management & Leadership Lead, coach and develop a remote team consisting of 1 HR Generalist and 1 HR Operations Associate across Germany, Austria and Poland, empowering team members to operate autonomously while ensuring alignment, consistency and high-quality HR support across the territory.
• 2. Territory HR & Operations Execute against, regional HR strategy across the Central Europe territory, ensuring practical and operational execution alongside strategic direction. Translate regional HR direction into effective, hands‑on operational execution across the Central Europe territory Align regional HR plans with European corporate and retail targets, conducting regular/ad hoc store and office visits within the territory. Apply HR and business knowledge to aid decision making and see the wider business impact of decisions.
  
  Monitor developments in employment legislation and HR best practices across Germany, Austria and Poland, providing recommendations to support continuous improvement and compliance. Ensure consistent application of policy and procedure across the organization and territory. Build and maintain effective relationships with the wider HR team, local/regional/global stakeholders and external partners. Undertake HR projects as needed, owning delivery from design through execution.
  
  Support managers and associates in addressing people‑related matters, balancing business needs with legal and policy requirements.
• 3. Associate Lifecycle & Talent Management Be responsible for HR activity through the associate lifecycle across our Central Europe corporate offices and retail stores, supporting both associates and managers where needed. Lead and manage recruitment and…