HR Generalist - EMEA

Canonical Overview

Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is very widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation and IoT. Our customers include the world's leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors.

With 1,200+ colleagues across 75 countries, Canonical is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 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. The company is founder‑led, profitable and growing.

With 1,200+ colleagues across 75 countries, we require an HR function that thinks and acts globally. We’re looking for an HR Generalist who will report into our Regional HR Manager and help build our company as we go through continued growth plans. It’s an exciting time to join with the opportunity to shape and create an HR function for the future.

You will demonstrate a high work ethic and personal confidence to set and defend high expectations of colleagues, counterparts and processes. You must be able to work independently, take a hands‑on approach, and interface effectively with professionals at all levels. You’ll need excellent communication, professional and interpersonal skills as well as the ability to function in a proactive, innovative environment.

We look to HR both to support our colleagues in their personal needs and development, and also to maintain consistently high standards across multiple teams, managers and directors.

• 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 programmes 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 that have a global lens with local application.
• Ensure consistency of application of our HR policies and procedures.

• 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 four times a year for internal events, with at least one trip of two full working weeks.

• 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.

Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the…