HR Business Partner

pbLocation /b: Leuven /p h3ABOUT THE ROLE /h3 pVIB is home to world-class science and international talent. In this environment, strong HR expertise goes hand in hand with understanding complexity, building trusted relationships and turning people challenges into practical solutions. /p pAs HR Business Partner for the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Neuroscience (CNL), you are the strategic people partner to the center's leadership team, in a complex and international research environment. You work closely with center leadership, lab leaders, VIB’s central HR team and relevant university partners. You provide clear advice, strengthen leadership and help address team issues early. /p pThis is a hands‑on role, based in Leuven, close to the research center and its leaders. You challenge when needed and help turn decisions into practical action. You report to the HR Director. /p h3KEY RESPONSIBILITIES /h3 pbSupport leaders in their people role /b /p ulliSupport leaders in building high-performing teams and a positive, inclusive work environment. /liliAdvise managers and center leadership on practical people questions and possible next steps. /liliHelp leaders prepare for difficult conversations and address team issues proactively. /liliAdvise leaders and actively contribute to talent acquisition, onboarding, performance, well-being, workforce planning and employee relations. /li /ul pbSpot issues early and turn insight into action /b /p ulliIdentify trends and risks across teams, such as turnover, absenteeism or recurring concerns. Work with leaders and external partners to develop and implement sustainable solutions that address root causes and strengthen team effectiveness. /liliUse employee feedback, survey results and exit insights to define targeted, data-informed improvement actions and supportive HR initiatives. /liliSupport organizational change and help leaders understand their impact on people and teams. /liliAct as a strategic partner to center management on HR-related matters. /li /ul pbConnect the research center, VIB and the university /b /p ulliTranslate HR strategy into practical tools, processes and solutions that fit the day-to-day reality of the center. /liliEnsure people-related decisions are well considered, compliant and properly documented. /liliBring the center’s needs and experience into VIB-wide HR initiatives and support their local implementation. /liliFoster effective collaboration and alignment between VIB HR, the center and KU Leuven. /li /ul h3Your profile /h3 ulliA Master’s degree or equivalent experience, with at least five years of experience in an HR Business Partner, HR Manager, People Partner or comparable HR advisory role. Experience in an international, academic or research environment is an asset. /liliExperience advising senior leaders and managers on complex people, team and organizational matters. /liliThe confidence to challenge constructively, while building trust across different levels and professional backgrounds. /liliSound judgement, discretion and integrity, particularly in sensitive situations. /liliA pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset: you can translate analysis into clear advice and action. /liliStrong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to navigate different interests and perspectives. /liliExcellent command of English and Dutch, both written and spoken. /li /ul h3Our offer /h3 ulliA full-time, open-ended contract with a competitive salary and attractive benefits. /liliA role with visible impact on leadership, teams and organizational culture. /liliThe opportunity to shape a proactive HR partnering model within VIB. /liliA collaborative, international and mission-driven environment at the heart of life sciences research. /liliFlexible working, including up to two days of home working per week when the role allows. /liliOpportunities for continuous professional development. /li /ul pYou will join an environment where people challenges are varied and meaningful. Your work will help leaders spend less time reacting to problems and more time creating the conditions in which people and science can thrive. /p h3ABOUT VIB /h3 pVIB is an internationally recognized life sciences research institute that works closely with universities across Flanders. Across nine research centers in Ghent, Leuven, Antwerp and Brussels, more than 2,000 scientists and staff advance biotechnology research that contributes to better health for people and the planet. VIB combines scientific excellence with a strong drive to turn discoveries into meaningful societal impact. /p pThe VIB‑KU Leuven Center for Neuroscience studies brain function and neurological disease across different levels of biology, including neurodegeneration, neurodevelopment, synaptic biology and computational neuroscience. /p