HR M&A Projects Lead

Title: HR M&A Projects Lead Location: Remote and should be local to Morristown NJ 7960 / Walkersville MD 21793 / Portsmouth NH 03801 / Houston TX 77047 / Vacaville CA 95688 Duration: 12 months Supervisory Organization: Total Rewards & Talent Mobility Reports to (position): Head of Total Rewards Experience Level: Highly Experienced - 10+ years Notes: Please note the title does not call out that this role is from an HR perspective. Candidates must have experience leading HR teams through Merger, Acquisition, and/or Divestiture. Ideal candidate will come from a consulting background preferrably from a Big 4. Role can be 100% remote, but candidates that are local to Morristown NJ, Portsmouth NH, Houston TX, Walkersville MD, or Vacaville CA are preferred to come into the office if needed. Summary - This role is responsible for leading assigned HR M&A projects, providing end-to-end HR project ownership across acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, restructurings and other strategic programs. - Working under the direction of the overall Head of HR M&A, the role owns the day-to-day delivery of assigned projects, coordinating HR functions, cross-functional stakeholders and external advisors from due diligence and planning through execution, integration or separation. - The role provides HR expertise across people-related risks, workforce transition, employee experience and HR implementation. - It works closely with stakeholders across the business, ensuring alignment, effective execution and timely resolution of issues. - The role may manage multiple projects concurrently, depending on business priorities and portfolio requirements. Main accountabilities - Independently own and deliver assigned HR M&A and corporate projects, from due diligence and planning through execution, integration or separation. - Manage multiple projects concurrently, balancing priorities, resources, timelines and dependencies. - Develop and manage project plans, milestones, risks, issues, dependencies, resources and budgets. - Coordinate HR functional teams and external advisors to ensure integrated and timely delivery. - Lead HR due diligence and assess people-related risks, liabilities, costs and workforce implications, escalating material issues as appropriate. - Develop and execute HR integration, separation or change plans, including workforce transition, HR services, HRIS, payroll, benefits, talent, communications and employee experience. - Partner with Corporate M&A, Strategy, Finance, Legal, IT, business management and HR to align project delivery with broader business and transaction objectives. - Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, facilitating alignment and driving resolution of complex issues. - Support transaction activities including negotiations, TSA development, costings and relevant documentation. - Ensure appropriate management of labor law, regulatory, works council/union and employee communication requirements. - Provide regular progress updates, risks, issues and recommendations to the overall HR M&A portfolio lead and relevant governance forums. - Act as the day-to-day HR point of contact for assigned projects and escalate significant risks, issues and decisions to the overall HR M&A portfolio lead. - Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of HR M&A processes, standards and ways of working. - Build and maintain project plans covering workforce transition strategy, communications, employee experience continuity, and regulatory compliance. - Support negotiation and engagement with unions and works councils during restructuring, divestitures, or integration. - Perform other duties as assigned Area - HR M&A experience, ideally gained in consulting, project driven environment and/or in-house with a multinational (mid-sized or larger) organization Key Stakeholders - HR M&A team - HRLT and their teams - Cross functional partners e.g. Corporate M&A, Legal, Finance, IT and business leaders Must Have Skills - Ability to build credibility quickly with senior leadership, internal teams, and external parties - Ability to translate deal strategy into HR execution plans - Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills - Highly honed planning and project management and execution capability - Self-starter and fast learner with the experience to quickly establish relationships and be viewed as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert - Strong conceptual skills and ability to package complex materials into a well-organized and succinct work product (PowerPoint) - Strong work ethic, resilience, time management skills and a positive attitude - Thrives in ambiguous, fast-moving environments with multiple simultaneous projects Qualification - You bring a broad spectrum of knowledge to this position in the M&A HR space. You have exceptionally strong business acumen, the ability to develop trusting and authentic relationships, and you are experienced at guiding and leading multiple complex projects. - Demonstrated depth of experience in HR, Total Rewards, HR Operations, M&A, Project Management and HR Systems - Experience working independently and requiring little instruction on day-to-day work - Proven project management and project execution experience in a cross-functional and international environment - Must be able to perform successfully in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment and to navigate ambiguity, interpret rules and guidelines flexibly to enhance the business and in keeping with Lonza’s values and culture - Experience working successfully within a complex matrix structured organization is essential - Good experience and understanding of managing complex reporting relationships and incorporating multiple cultures Education - Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience - Preferred area of study: HR, Business Administration, Economics, Finance or Tax Language(s) - English Required - German Preferred Why TalentBurst? - At TalentBurst, we deliver more than talent, we deliver outcomes. We partner with you to move quickly and connect you to opportunities aligned with your skills and long term growth. - Backed by precision, transparency, and results, we connect top talent with leading organizations through trusted partnerships. - We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement options. - TalentBurst is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce.