Vacancy HR Director Europe at AAE: Provide strategic direction for HR policy within an international high-tech family business.

At AAE, employee happiness isn’t a side issue, it’s the foundation of our success. As HR Director Europe, you will provide strategic direction for this. You will develop and implement forward-looking HR strategies that contribute to our growth and help us retain and strengthen our talent and culture.  

Welcome to AAE. We are a globally operating high-tech family business, with AAE Europe based in Helmond. Together, we develop advanced solutions that have a major impact within the international machine-building sector. We are proud to produce unique, crucial products for the high-tech industry with a team of more than 550 dedicated colleagues.

Pushing technical boundaries

At AAE, we work every day on our mission: to improve the world with our groundbreaking technology. From high-tech modules and systems to complete machines that produce 350 million products annually, and modules that form the heart of cutting-edge technology.

You contribute to this by developing both people and the organization in harmony. This way, AAE remains a place where talent grows and we push boundaries together.

Our growth is accelerating thanks to technological innovation and globalization. With locations in Europe, North America, and soon Asia, we are committed to a local presence worldwide. This development requires a strong, future-oriented HR foundation.

What will your role be?

As HR Director Europe, you are responsible for leading the European HR team (7 colleagues) and shaping the entire HR landscape: from culture to leadership development and from employee experience to HR analytics. You think ahead and develop an HR strategy that aligns with our future ambitions and current global developments.

You build a learning organization that enables both personal and professional growth for all colleagues. As mentioned before, employee happiness is important to us. It starts with onboarding and continues through performance: you ensure every colleague feels seen, valued, and engaged.

Additionally, you make an impact by:

• Promoting employee happiness and well-being: You are the ambassador of employee happiness. You initiate programs that create a safe, inclusive, and inspiring work environment.
• Improving HR services with data and technology: You implement data-driven solutions and modern tools to make HR processes more effective and generate insights.
• Developing and leading the HR team: You coach your team to the next level, ensuring they can excel as partners to the organization.
• Demonstrating thought & change leadership: You follow trends and developments in HR, technology, and society and translate these into practical and future-oriented initiatives within AAE.
• Acting as a strategic business partner: You serve as a trusted advisor to the senior leadership team and other leaders, working closely to address organizational and people challenges and align the HR strategy with overarching business goals.

What we do, we do well and we do together. Speaking of which: you are part of the senior leadership team and report directly to the Managing Director of AAE Europe. In the international context of AAE, you coordinate closely with HR colleagues in our other locations.

Being part of something great

With more than 550 colleagues, we work daily toward a smarter, more sustainable, and more beautiful future. We push boundaries, again and again. Our secret? It’s our culture. Friday afternoon drinks, BBQs, pub quizzes, and legendary parties are all part of it. And sporting challenges? Absolutely, together we climbed the Passo dello Stelvio, one of Europe’s toughest mountain passes. Want to see more? Check out the videos on our YouTube channel.

You’ve got what it takes

You have a great passion for people and organizational development. You are strategically strong, have a progressive vision, and combine this with a hands-on approach. You are a strong communicator and connector, and you know how to drive change at all levels within the organization. You thrive in a fast-changing and results-oriented environment, where there is room for courage, initiative, and growth.  

You also bring:

• Proven experience as an HR Director or senior HR leader within a project-driven, international organization.
• A holistic view and a systems-oriented way of thinking.
• Extensive experience in leading, coaching, and developing high-performing teams.
• A strong match with our Infinity Culture (Ambitious, Can-do, Human & Together) and our Leadership Code (I Inspire, I Own it, I Uplift, I Adapt).
• Fluency in both Dutch and English.
• Master’s degree level (WO/MSc).
• Preferred: experience in a technical production environment.

How we take care of you

Just as you and your team care for AAE employees, we of course also take care of you. You will have access to numerous training opportunities and an extensive vitality program, supporting the physical and mental health of our employees. Did you know AAE was named 'World Class Workplace 2023-2024'? This distinction is only awarded when employees rate the organization above average in terms of employer quality.

As HR Director (based on a 40-hour workweek), we offer you:

• Competitive salary.
• An annual profit-sharing bonus.
• 34 vacation days.
• Travel expense reimbursement.
• Participation in the AAE Academy and our exclusive Leadership Journey.

Together we move the world happily forward

Do you want to make a difference in the world? Start your application for the HR Director position with us and begin your journey to a better future.