HR Director

About CLS

Complete Laboratory Solutions (CLS) is an Irish-led multinational and Ireland’s most accredited contract laboratory, regulated by both HPRA and FDA. As part of the Phenna Group, a global Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance organisation with more than 8,000 employees worldwide, CLS supports life sciences organisations with quality assurance, quality control, managed resourcing, training, and strategic advisory services.

The Role

This senior leadership position reports to the CEO and sits on the Senior Leadership Team. The HR Director will be central to defining and executing the people agenda for a business that is expanding and ambitious.

The role has end-to-end responsibility for HR, covering organisational development, workforce planning, recruitment, employee engagement, leadership development, employee relations, and HR governance. Working closely with the CEO and senior leaders, the successful candidate will help ensure the organisation has the talent, capability, and structure needed to sustain growth and provide excellent service to clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and deliver a people strategy that aligns with commercial goals, growth plans, and company culture.
• Serve as a dependable adviser to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team on people and organisational matters.
• Guide workforce planning, succession planning, and organisational development activities to prepare for future needs.
• Work with business leaders so staffing levels and skills match client commitments, operational demands, and growth objectives.
• Support business development efforts through client proposals, workforce planning solutions, and capability assessment.
• Own talent acquisition and employer brand initiatives focused on attracting, developing, and keeping high-performing people.
• Promote employee engagement, internal communication, wellbeing, and culture programmes that strengthen performance and morale.
• Build leadership capability through coaching, performance management, and learning and development initiatives.
• Oversee employee relations, organisational change, and compliance with employment law.
• Use HR systems, people data, and workforce insights to inform strategic decisions.
• Lead and mentor the HR team so it delivers a professional, approachable, commercially aware, and client-focused service.

Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• A degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field is required; CIPD qualification or Chartered CIPD membership is preferred.
• Extensive experience in a senior HR leadership role supporting executive teams and business growth.
• Proven ability to design and implement people strategies that produce clear business results.
• Strong commercial judgement with the ability to connect HR plans to wider organisational goals.
• Background in organisational development, workforce planning, talent management, and employee engagement.
• Excellent understanding of Irish employment law and current HR best practice.
• Strong leadership, influence, and stakeholder management capability, with a track record of building trusted relationships across all levels.
• Experience in a regulated, professional services, life sciences, healthcare, or similar setting would be beneficial.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment while balancing strategic priorities with hands-on delivery.

What’s on Offer

• A high-impact leadership position within the Senior Leadership Team.
• The chance to shape the people strategy of a growing Irish multinational business.
• Exposure to a varied and dynamic organisation serving the life sciences sector.
• A culture focused on values, innovation, continuous improvement, and employee growth.
• A competitive pay and benefits package.