People & Culture Generalist – Maternity Cover (10-month contract)

Purpose We are looking for a People & Culture Generalist to join our Barcelona office on a 10-month contract. This role is essential to support the growing HR operations in Spain and ensure full compliance with local labour regulations.This position will play a critical role in owning HR administration, ensuring compliance, and supporting day-to-day employee lifecycle processes. You will work closely with the People & Culture Business Partner team and collaborate with international teams to deliver high-quality HR support while maintaining strong legal and operational standards. Responsibilities HR Operations & Employee Support Act as the first point of contact for employees and managers on HR matters Manage the full employee lifecycle: onboarding, contracts, changes, and offboarding Maintain accurate HR data in systems (HRIS, personnel files, payroll inputs) Support employee relations topics, including absences, leaves, and disciplinary processes Support recruitment activities (interviews, assessments, coordination) Support and propose improvements for local and global P&C projects, including performance appraisal processes, bonus and reward programs, compensation reviews, employee engagement initiatives, training and development programs, internal communications. Support the design and implementation of incentive programs, benchmarking, and job grading, ensuring alignment with local compensation structures, benefits packages, and employment conditions, when required. Compliance & Administration (Spain Focus) Ensure compliance with Spanish labour law Support GDPR compliance in HR processes Equality & Reporting Maintain and track the Equality Plan (Plan de Igualdad) actions and reporting Support salary register and gender pay gap analysis Prepare HR reports related to absenteeism, hiring, and workforce metrics Training & HSEQ Administration Coordinate mandatory HSEQ training and certification tracking Manage training programs and FUNDAE documentation and compliance Payroll & Benefits Support payroll administration, including timesheets, absence tracking, and employee changes Ensure accuracy between HR systems and payroll providers Assist with benefits administration and employee queries Culture & Engagement Support internal events, engagement initiatives, and communication Partner with employees and managers to communicate and advise on P&C policies, procedures, and programs, including maintaining and updating policy documentation Qualifications and Educational Requirements  A Diploma in Human Resources, Management, Business/Commerce or related education is required A Human Resources certification or designation (SHRM, CPHR, etc.) is preferred 3–5 years of experience in an HR Generalist role in Spain Strong knowledge of Spanish labour law and HR compliance requirements Experience in payroll coordination and employee lifecycle processes High attention to detail and strong administrative skills Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Experience with HRIS systems (e.g., Dayforce or similar) Must be proficient in spoken and written English Nice to have: Exposure to equality plans, audits, or labour inspections Experience in international or matrix organizations