Senior HR Manager – EMEA Talent, Performance and Rewards

About Merit Medical Systems

Merit Medical Systems is dedicated to creating innovative medical devices that enhance lives globally. The company fosters a hardworking, team-oriented environment where employees contribute to building something unique and meaningful. Established in 1993 in Galway, Merit Medical has grown to over 900 employees worldwide with diverse, multi-campus operations across Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Australia, and is recognized as the Medtech Company of the Year.

Role Overview

The Senior HR Manager will be instrumental in strategizing and executing a high-impact people agenda that propels business expansion, builds organizational capabilities, and improves employee and candidate experiences across EMEA. Reporting directly to the VP HR EMEA, this leader will oversee essential HR functions including Talent Attraction, Development, Engagement, Retention, and Rewards, managing support for both Operations and Commercial business segments.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage recruitment and onboarding to ensure a superior candidate and new employee experience.
• Support recruitment operational excellence and enhance employer branding throughout EMEA.
• Leverage market intelligence and data to optimize attraction tactics, focusing on critical and difficult-to-fill positions.
• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous enhancement of compensation and benefits programs, ensuring they remain competitive, equitable, and compliant.
• Administer annual salary review and bonus cycle processes, including benchmarking, financial modeling, and cost analysis.
• Maintain vendor partnerships for benefits in Ireland, such as pension schemes, healthcare, and canteen services.
• Engage in reward-related projects encompassing Gender Pay Gap analyses, Job Architecture, and Pay Transparency compliance.
• Develop and advance the Talent Development strategy to proactively address future skill needs and organizational capabilities.
• Coordinate with corporate teams on succession plans, talent evaluations (including 9-box, critical roles/skills), and individual development planning.
• Design and deliver comprehensive learning initiatives covering leadership, functional expertise, and career progression.
• Collaborate with external training providers and optimize use of available funding to enhance learning impact.
• Foster an organizational culture promoting continuous learning, skill enhancement, and internal career mobility.
• Work alongside leaders to reinforce performance and talent management aligned with future skill requirements.
• Partner with HR Business Partners and leadership to create and execute engagement strategies that cultivate culture, communication, wellbeing, and connectedness.
• Support internal communication efforts, engagement campaigns, and employer brand enhancement.
• Evaluate engagement metrics to establish targeted, evidence-based action plans.
• Champion recognition and wellness initiatives, including upgrading recognition programs and maintaining a robust wellness framework such as the KeepWell Mark.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field; master’s degree is a plus.
• A minimum of 8 to 10 years of progressive HR experience with at least 3 years in a leadership or management capacity.
• Proven expertise in executing HR operational functions effectively.
• Experience within fast-paced, regulated, or manufacturing settings is preferred.
• Track record in supporting organizational transformation and change management projects.

Skills and Competencies

• Exceptional stakeholder management with the ability to influence senior leadership.
• Strong data orientation, comfortable analyzing trends and converting insights into strategic actions.
• Excellent verbal, written, and digital communication abilities.
• High organizational and project management skills.
• Proficient in HR systems such as Workday, advanced Excel, and HR analytics platforms.
• Experience with psychometric and assessment tools (e.g., Belbin, DISC, Gallup, TTI Insights) is advantageous.
• Leadership approach that is collaborative, data-informed, decisive, and adaptable between strategy and hands-on execution.
• Ability to prioritize effectively balancing strategic initiatives with daily operational deliverables.

Employee Benefits

• Attractive salary package
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan
• Health Insurance Coverage
• Life Assurance
• Comprehensive Health and Wellbeing Events Calendar
• Opportunities for career advancement
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Free Parking Facilities
• Educational Assistance
• Internal Training Programs
• Quality subsidized canteen and barista services
• Active Sports and Social Club

Culture and Diversity

Merit Medical fosters a supportive and collaborative workplace culture, distinguished by its energetic atmosphere and strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. The workforce enjoys gender parity (50:50 male to female ratio) and representation from approximately 30 nationalities, emphasizing valuing every employee as an individual.

Additional Information

Approximately 60% of Merit Medical Galway’s roles are filled internally, reflecting a strong focus on employee development and career progression.