HR Manager Spain

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced HR Manager to lead and deliver all local HR activities for MBDA Spain.

Salary: Circa €65,000 depending on experience

Based in Madrid in Spain and will be 5 days per week office based.

Security Clearance: Spanish Citizen or dual national, but must speak fluent Spanish.

Due to the nature of the role you must have a strong knowledge of Spanish labour law.

The opportunity:

We are seeking an experienced HR Manager to lead and deliver all local HR activities for MBDA Spain, working in close alignment with MBDA Group HR policies and strategy while ensuring full compliance with Spanish employment law.

Reporting directly to the Spain Deputy Managing Director and with a functional line to HRD Spain, you will act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and people managers, playing a key role in shaping a positive, compliant, and high-performing workplace.

You will manage a small support team and collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure excellence across the full employee lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

HR Leadership & Strategy

• Deploy MBDA Group HR policies, processes, and initiatives in line with Spanish legislation and local context
• Act as the primary HR point of contact for MBDA Spain, providing guidance to leadership, managers, and employees
• Develop and propose local HR procedures aligned with Group strategy and Spanish regulations
• Develop and propose forward approaches to digitalisation and automation of key HR operational activities

Recruitment & Talent Management

• Lead end-to-end recruitment processes, ensuring legal compliance and alignment with headcount targets
• Lead and develop a structured reward approach for MBDA Spain (salary / benefits)
• Support managers in role definition, candidate selection, compensation benchmarking, grading, and final offers
• Drive talent management, succession planning, promotions, and retention initiatives

People Management & Development

• Support managers with organisational design, role profiles, development plans, and career pathways
• Oversee learning and development initiatives, balancing effectiveness and budgetary considerations
• Design and implement induction programmes for new hires

Employee Relations & Wellbeing

• Provide expert support on employee relations matters including performance, disciplinary issues, grievances, sickness, health & safety, and conflict mediation
• Promote employee wellbeing and contribute to maintaining a “great place to work” culture
• Lead team-building and engagement initiatives in collaboration with Communications

HR Operations & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Spanish labour law, tax, Social Security, GDPR, and audit requirements
• Maintain and support current payroll approach, with a view to developing a more automated approach
• Maintain employee records, contracts, and HR documentation
• Manage time & attendance processes in collaboration with Finance
• Maintain and continuously improve the Employee Manual

Stakeholder & Partner Management

• Manage relationships with external service providers (e.g. payroll, legal, recruitment, consultancy)
• Work closely with Finance on payroll, budgeting, and headcount planning
• Lead relationships with trade unions and ensure legal obligations are met
• Support expatriation, secondment, and apprenticeship processes

Data & Reporting

• Analyse HR data to provide insights and proposals for people-related topics
• Support annual HR budgeting and workforce planning

Team Leadership

• Directly manage and develop a team of two office support employees
• Oversee performance management, training, and development

What we're looking for from you:

• Degree in HR, Law, Psychology, Social Sciences, or equivalent HR qualification
• Solid HR experience, ideally in a multinational or complex organisational environment
• Strong HR System and tool experience, ideally previous experience of Workday
• Strong knowledge of Spanish employment legislation
• Excellent coaching, influencing, and stakeholder management skills
• Forward-thinking, results-oriented, and solution-focused mindset
• Strong organisational and data analysis skills
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work in an international environment
• Confident in conflict mediation and employee relations
• Self-motivated, agile, and collaborative team player

Languages

• Spanish fluency required
• English: C1 level or above

Our company: Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more…

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA) or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.