Interim Head of HR (Retail) | Start: ASAP

Basel Interim Home Office View Job Description
Our client is a successful and fast-growing retail organisation with a strong store footprint across Europe. As part of an ambitious expansion strategy, the company is further strengthening its presence in Switzerland and investing in scalable structures to support long-term growth.

Added 16/06/2026

  • International scaling up organisation
  • Strategic leader with hands-on mentality

About Our Client

Our client is a successful and fast-growing retail organisation with a strong store footprint across Europe. As part of an ambitious expansion strategy, the company is further strengthening its presence in Switzerland and investing in scalable structures to support long-term growth.

Job Description

As part of the country management team, you report directly to the Country General Manager with a dotted line to the Head of HR Operations. Your mission is to set up a future-proof HR function within company guidelines, ensuring full alignment with Group HR strategy while meeting local business and legal requirements.

You shape and lead a scalable HR department, establishing compliant HR policies, processes, and systems to support the Swiss business in achieving its growth ambitions.

Policy/Strategy

  • Contribute to the development and implementation of Group HR strategy, policies, and instruments
  • Translate Group HR strategy into local HR policies and ensure effective execution within the country
  • Define and drive the Country People Plan in close collaboration with the management team
  • Establish a comprehensive HR policy framework and oversee its implementation
  • Anticipate organisational challenges, workforce trends, and growth needs

HR frameworks and tools

  • Recruitment and employer branding
  • Social legal relations, compensation & benefits
  • Health & safety compliancy, management of mandatory trainings
  • Management & talent development
  • Deliver input for the compliant configuration of the planning and time registration tool
  • Own and develop the full HR landscape in the country, including: Recruitment and employer branding, Talent management, succession planning, and leadership development, Social legal relations, compensation & benefits, Health & safety compliance and social responsibility
  • Ensure effective management of the talent pipeline to support business continuity and growth
  • Oversee the localization and implementation of HR systems (e.g. SuccessFactors)
  • Provide input into workforce planning and time registration tools
  • Ensure alignment with payroll governance (with dotted-line collaboration to payroll services)
  • Define and monitor relevant HR KPIs to track performance and drive decision-making

Operational Management

  • Initiate, plan, and implement HR projects and initiatives aligned with business priorities
  • Lead and coordinate change management and organisational transformation initiatives
  • Act as a trusted advisor to senior management on HR strategy, policies, and complex cases
  • Ensure HR delivers effective support on all operational people topics
  • Oversee and support recruitment execution for current and future business needs
  • Ensure high-quality personnel administration and compliance with local regulations

People Management

  • Lead, develop, and inspire the local HR team (HR Advisors and support roles)
  • Provide regular feedback and coaching to support performance and professional growth
  • Foster a high-performance culture, encouraging collaboration, ownership, and continuous improvement
  • Stimulate innovation, knowledge sharing, and proactive contribution within the team
  • Ensure optimal staffing, retention, and capability development within the HR function

The Successful Applicant

  • Relevant business degree and/or HR education/certification
  • At least 10 years of HR experience, including a proven track record in a leadership role
  • Strong knowledge of Swiss labour law
  • Experience within the retail industry
  • Exposure to a fast-growing or scale-up environment is a plus
  • Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage priorities, timelines, and delivery
  • Excellent English skills (verbal and written); additional local language(s) are a plus

Competencies

  • Strategic and operational mindset ("big picture" with hands-on execution)
  • Proactive, structured, and highly organised
  • Strong stakeholder management, influencing, and negotiation skills
  • Ability to build consensus and drive decisions in complex environments
  • High level of pragmatism, resilience, and determination
  • Strong customer focus and results orientation

What's on Offer

Are you a self-starter who is capable of driving change and delivering tangible business impact? Are you looking for a role with high visibility and ownership in a fast-growing international environment? Then, apply online now.

Quote job ref
JN-062026-7041382

Job summary

Job Function
Human Resources
Specialisation
Head of HR
Industry
Retail
Location
Basel
Contract Type
Interim
Job Reference
JN-062026-7041382
Job Nature
Home Office

PageGroup is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity, both as an employer as well as a recruitment service provider. Each recruitment decision we make for people we hire and people we place into new roles is based solely on the candidates’ knowledge, experience and skills.