Head of HR - Europe

Let’s transform banking forever    

ClearBank is built on the belief that banking infrastructure shouldn’t slow down progress. Quite the opposite. Speed it up and that’s when you unlock potential. When you really start to innovate.    

That spirit and ‘can-do’ attitude is why our clients – from FinTech's and crypto platforms, to banks and credit unions – choose to use our API to power their banking infrastructure.    

But it’s our people who are the stars here. They power that innovation, push harder to break boundaries. They make coming to work (or working from home) fun. They’re the ones we trust to catapult our clients to success. Just as they trust us to build a business that’s always striding forward.    

What you can expect:  

ClearBank is a place where you can do things differently and challenge the status quo. We will give you a high level of autonomy and transparency, and we trust you to make the right decisions for the bank. This is Where You Can clear a bold new path! 

If that excites you, how about joining our European bank as the Head of HR?
Reporting to the ClearBank Europe Chief Executive Officer and ClearBank Chief Human Resources Officer (dotted line), your role will include:  

• Owning the people strategy for ClearBank Europe: ensuring processes and the employee experience reflect the culture and values of the bank; 

• Acting as a strategic business partner to the Chief Executive Officer and contributing as an active member of the EU Management Team; 

• Developing and implementing people strategies, policies, and procedures to promote a positive work environment and enhance employee engagement; 

• Supporting our expansion into new markets, including growing the team in the Netherlands and beyond; 

• Managing the employee lifecycle including talent acquisition, benefits, family leave, engagement, development, performance management and pay. Working in partnership with the wider HR function to drive consistency whilst managing local requirements as needed; 

• Driving a positive culture through embedding the local EU culture pillar and driving collaboration and alignment with our global culture; 

• Overseeing the delivery of HR shared services from ClearBank including payroll, market data, group-wide development solutions, onboarding and offboarding; 

• Oversight of the local HR budget, ensuring effective cost utilisation and controls; 

• Shaping content for the Nomination and Remuneration Committee working in strong partnership with the Committee Chair and other Independent Non-Executive Directors; 

• Contributing to functional HR priorities as an active member of the HR Leadership Team, delivering projects that will have impact Group-wide; 

• Owning the reporting of people activities for the various cyclical reporting across the bank (monthly/quarterly); 

• Using data driven insight to identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to improve employee satisfaction and engagement. 

Requirements

What you’ll bring   

To excel in this role, you’ll also need:  

• In-depth knowledge and application of Dutch labour laws and remuneration practices and how to apply that within a fast-paced commercial setting. Ideally, experience working within France, Germany or other EU countries; 

• Experience within a high growth environment and ideally, a regulated bank or payments business; 

• To be a self-starter that can manage ambiguity: you will be driving the agenda across the business for Europe so the ability to ‘make it happen' sits in your control and there is lots to build, shape and implement; 

• The ability to work effectively in a matrix environment: you will need to work collaboratively with functional stakeholders to drive consistency and alignment whilst making decisions in line with local requirements; 

• The ability to deliver through influence: you will be receiving services from ClearBank and will need to oversee this and ensure the model is delivering the services as needed, managing issues collaboratively as and when they arise; 

• The ability to think strategically about the people agenda and shape the future of how we operate but with a bias to action and hands on approach; 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and effectively influence stakeholders at all levels 

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to balance the needs of the organization and employees. 

• High level of professionalism and integrity, with the ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information. 

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. 
  

Regretfully, we are not able to sponsor applicants for immigration purposes at the current time.  

What makes a great ClearBank team member? Does this sound like you?  

• You focus on solutions and positive outcomes, thinking radically and responsibly to find the best result for our customers, your colleagues and the bank;  

• You actively seek feedback from others to drive your growth and development, always assuming positive intent from others and develop strong, trusting relationships you’re your colleagues and customers: you really, genuinely care;  

• You always strive for the highest quality, but you know that done is better than perfect; you welcome a challenge knowing that they learn as you go and iterate;  

• ‘I’ before ’we’, isn’t in your vocabulary   

If this sounds like you then we encourage you to dust off that CV and apply!  

Benefits

What we offer in return   

• We're flexible – We support a culture of flexibility which allows our employees to achieve a strong work-life balance.  
• Offices – Work in a way that works for you – whether that’s in the Amsterdam office, at home, or hybrid.  
• Holiday – 27 days of annual leave per year, plus public holidays.  
• Work abroad – You have the flexibility to work outside of the Netherlands for up to 30 days in a rolling 12-month period. 
• Socials – Regular social events open to all.   
• Holiday swap – Option to swap your bank holidays to any other day of your choice.    
• Wellbeing – long term disability cover and accident cover.  
• Bigger than ClearBank – Take a couple of days per year to do something that matters to you.   
• Pension – We offer generous pension contribution without mandatory employee contribution. 
• Expense coverage – Mobile phone allowance and travel cost reimbursement.  
• Family – Enhanced family-friendly leave.  
• Personal development – We offer personal development budgets, opportunities to take part in role-related training and unlimited LinkedIn Learning.  

And not forgetting the biggest benefit of all. The opportunity to be part of an incredible team that’s building a tech-bank fit for the future.  

A little bit more about us!  

ClearBank is Where You Can belong:  

At ClearBank we think about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) a lot. Not because we think we should. But because we know we should – how else can we build a happy workforce and be successful as a business. We’re committed to making sure our teams reflect society. And we put energy and effort into making this a place where everyone feels at home, where they’re given the trust and encouragement to do their very best work. Here are some of the things we’re most proud of:  

• 42% of our senior management roles are held by women  

• Our enhanced family leave policies  

• Launching our partnership with Code First Girls  

• Increasing awareness of neurodiversity in the workplace through our partnership with the Inclusive Group  

Our hiring process and what you can expect:  

Application: a member of our talent acquisition team will review your application against the key requirements for the role and let you know within two weeks whether you’re moving forward to the next stage;  

Screening: You’ll spend 30-45 minutes speaking to one of our recruiters learning more about the role and ClearBank, and we’ll get it know more about you, your experience and how your skills align with the role (this will be via phone or Teams video call). You can expect to hear back from us within seven days following this meeting (if things are taking longer than expected, we’ll let you know that too);  

First Interview: You’ll spend one hour with the hiring manager/hiring team focussing on your skills, competencies and your ways of working at the same time we’ll give you time to ask more questions about the role, the team and learn more about the ClearBank culture. This will be via Teams.   

Second Interview: This may be either a competency-based interview, or case study/take home assignment (that shouldn’t take you more than a few hours to prepare) and present back to the hiring team and discuss your approaches and ideas.   

Final Stage: Depending on the level of the role, you will have a final meeting with the Head of Department. This will be around 45-60 minutes.   

Offer: Congratulations! Get ready for transform banking forever!  

Our commitment to you as a candidate:  

We will always try our best to get back to you within seven days of your interview whether you’ve been successful or not and provide you with feedback. Sometimes things take a little longer, so we may not have a decision to share but we will get it touch to let you know we need a little more time.   

We’re unable to provide specific individual feedback at the application or screening stage but know that your application was reviewed and considered carefully.   

We wish you the best of luck with your application and maybe we’ll be celebrating your new role at ClearBank soon!   

Equal Opportunities  

ClearBank is committed to ensuring equal opportunities throughout every stage of the recruitment process. ClearBank recognises that diversity is vital to the long-term success of the business in the communities and markets in which it operates. ClearBank is also a firm believer that an inclusive culture fosters greater employee engagement and collaboration.  

ClearBank strives for diversity and inclusion of all forms, including (but not limited to): gender, age, educational and professional background, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief and sexual orientation.  

As part of the Company’s commitment to equal employment opportunity, we provide reasonable adjustments, to candidates during the recruitment process, including to individuals with disabilities. We want to create a safe space that welcomes everyone so please let us know how we can accommodate you. In case you have any accessibility requirements you can share that with our Talent Acquisition team prior to your interview stage, if applicable.  

The legal bit  

By submitting your CV to ClearBank Limited you are providing your consent for us to use the information you provide for recruitment purposes. For more information on how we manage your data go and check out our Candidate Privacy Notice on the ClearBank website to see how we process, manage and look after your data. You are also allowing us to communicate with you by email and telephone for recruitment purposes.