Job Description

Regional HR Lead – Spain

About imec Spain

Imec is the world’s largest independent research and innovation center for nanoelectronics and digital technology. As the chip lab of the world, imec drives the advancements that power today’s most cutting-edge technology. By making chips smaller, faster, more affordable, and more sustainable, we tackle the most pressing global challenges, such as climate change, pollution, accessible healthcare, and sustainable food provision. From the chips in your smartphone to the innovations transforming health, automotive, agritech, energy and beyond: imec is shaping the future.

As part of our ambition, we are establishing a specialized chip technology pilot line in Malaga (Spain). This innovation facility intends to complement imec’s existing 300mm advanced CMOS process line in Leuven, Belgium, with new 300mm processes developments and the introduction of new materials. The new facility aims to answer the industry’s need for R&D, prototyping and pave the road to the manufacturing of promising, new technologies to drive new applications in health care, life sciences, photonics, augmented and virtual reality, precision sensing, ...

What you will do

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding:

• Develop and implement a talent acquisition strategy aligned with imec’s global standards and local market dynamics.
• Execute a scalable hiring process & lead the recruitment of 180 employees in the 5 first year across Research & development, engineering and support roles.
• Design and implement a comprehensive onboarding plan for new hires.
• Set up a relocation process for international hires, including visa/work permit coordination, housing, and family support.

HR Operations & Entity Setup

• Support legal and administrative processes for establishing the new entity (e.g., labor registration, social security, tax registration).
• Ensure compliance with Spain labor laws and international HR standards.
• Develop internal HR policies (F. ex shiftwork) and procedures specific to the Spain office(s).

Rewards & benefits:

• Define competitive and equitable reward packages for various roles together with headquarters.
• Establish payroll in compliance with local laws and select/manage benefits providers.
• Set up policies around long & short-term assignments from HQ to Malaga.

HR business Partnering & partner management.

• Act as a trusted advisor to local leadership and employees on HR matters.
• Identify and manage external vendors for visa support, relocation services, payroll processing, and other HR-related services.

What we do for you

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth.

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits.

Who you are

• Minimum of 5 to 10 years of HR experience, with a proven experience in a site setup or establishing a new business entity in Spain.
• In-depth, demonstrated knowledge of local Labor Law, immigration regulations, and local social security requirements. Combined with a solid experience managing international mobility, relocation, and visa/work permit processes.
• Excellent cross-cultural communication skills, with the ability to act as a cultural bridge between headquarters and a local Spain operation. (Spanish proficiency is a must).
• Strategic & Operational Balance: Ability to think strategically about organizational growth while maintaining focus on operational execution and compliance.
• Autonomy & Initiative: High degree of self-management, and the ability to operate effectively without direct local HR supervision.

IMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter “Agency”) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a prior written agreement with IMEC, validated by its HR department, in place regarding a specific job opening and allowing to submit resumes.