Chief People Officer (Europe)

Location: Farringdon, London (Hybrid with European travel)

Reporting to: CEO Europe (with a dotted line to the Global Chief People Officer)

Smollan is a full-service retail solutions partner with over 90 years of heritage, helping brands win at the point of purchase. Operating across 61 countries, we are trusted by over 500 global and local brands and employ more than 90,000 people. Our purpose is to create growth and transform lives by connecting people to products and possibilities.

We deliver intelligent, end-to-end retail execution and experiences across the physical and digital landscape, directed by data and powered by technology and people. Our capabilities include Sales & Merchandising, Activations & Experiences, and Data & Technology. Smollan grows brands by growing people, creating value for clients and impact for consumers every day.

As our Chief People Officer (Europe), you will sit on the European Leadership Team alongside the European CEO to shape commercial strategy and nurture our talent across 20+ business units. You’ll serve as a trusted advisor and architect for our regional people strategy, ensuring our commercial goals are met through a thoughtful, human-centric lens.

This is an opportunity to build and refine people's solutions from the ground up, bridging the gap between global strategy and the unique needs of our local markets.

Your Journey With Us (Key Responsibilities):

Executive & Strategic Leadership

• Strategic Partnership: Sit as a full member of the European Leadership Team, translating overarching commercial strategy into a multi-market people and organisational roadmap.
• Leadership Coaching: Support the CEO and senior leaders through thoughtful advisory and coaching on human capital risks, organisational design, and leadership dynamics.
• People Insights: Use analytics and market trends to guide meaningful investments in our workforce and productivity.

Building for the Future

• Practical Innovation: Help design and pilot new systems and ways of working that empower our teams - proving the delivery model yourself rather than delegating the build.
• Thoughtful Transformation: Focus on structural improvements and capability building during times of change.
• Tech Integration: Explore and implement helpful AI and automation tools to simplify, modernise and enhance HR delivery.

Collaborating Across Borders

• Global Partnership: Work with Global Centres of Excellence to bring valuable tools to our regional teams.
• Flexible Models: Develop a multi-market operating model that respects local cultures and European labour frameworks.

Cultivating Talent & Organisational Health

• Talent Infrastructure: Create and architect recruitment and growth frameworks for our multi-brand workforce.
• Team Support: Lead and mentor our Country People Leads and L&D partners to reach their full potential.

Who We Are Looking For:

• Experienced HR Leader: Significant experience in senior leadership within multi-country European settings.
• Commercial Insight: Success in partnering with CEOs in sales and marketing, field-services, retail, FMCG or multi-brand environments.
• Adaptable Approach: Ability to shift between high-level strategy and helping with essential execution.
• Influential Collaborator: Skilled at building relationships and leading through influence in a matrix structure.
• End-to-End HR Mastery: Deep expertise across the full HR value chain including organisational design, talent management, reward, performance management, employee relations, and culture transformation.
• Educational Background: A degree in HR, Psychology, or Business Administration or equivalent master’s-level qualification.

Where You Can Stretch & Learn:

We value growth and problem-solving. Here is where you can continue to learn with us:

• Gaining deeper insights into varied legal and regulatory environments across Europe.
• Pioneering the integration of AI and automation within our people frameworks.
• Adapting world-class global tools to support localised, field-based operations.

How We Will Reward You:

• Compensation: A competitive salary aligned with executive standards.
• Annual Bonus: Rewards based on regional growth and people milestones.
• Holistic Benefits: Health, pension, and insurance to care for you and your future.
• Wellbeing: A balanced schedule that respects your personal time.
• Flexibility: Opportunities to blend work with travel across our European offices.
• Vibrant Culture: A workspace where hard work is recognised and celebrated.

Would You Like to Join Us?

If you are a commercially minded HR leader who thrives on building capability and driving tangible operational outcomes across Europe, we want to hear from you.

To Apply: Submit your CV and a cover letter, ensuring it includes a summary of your achievements in a commensurate level role, outlining your experience in leading multi-country HR transformations.

For a Confidential Discussion: Please contact Alexandra Richardson, Executive Talent Partner, Smollan Europe at Alexandra.Richardson@smollan.com.