HR Business Partner

We’re looking for an HR Business Partner who sees talent as the catalyst for innovation. Whether you already have experience as an HR Business Partner or you’re an HR professional ready for the next step, this role offers a mix of strategic impact and hands-on HR support. You’ll help ensure that the brightest minds — from Belgium to every corner of the globe — join, grow, and thrive at VITO.

Your impact – why this role matters

In a knowledge-driven organisation like ours, people are the breakthrough. As HR Business Partner, you will work closely with line management to translate our HR strategy into practice — supporting leaders with daily HR matters while contributing to longer-term organisational goals.

You will:

• Advise and support leaders on a broad range of HR topics across the employee life cycle — from recruitment and onboarding to performance management and development.

• Provide both operational and strategic HR support: you’ll handle practical HR questions, processes, and cases, while also contributing to workforce planning, organisational design, and change initiatives.

• Partner with leaders to align HR priorities with team and organisational needs, ensuring engagement and growth opportunities for employees.

• Act as a first point of contact for employees and managers in your business units, guiding them through HR policies, procedures, and best practices.

• Work closely with Corporate Recruiters, HR specialists, and fellow Business Partners to ensure consistent, high-quality HR services across VITO.

• Contribute to HR projects and continuous improvement, identifying opportunities for change and helping embed new practices in daily operations.

• A Master’s degree in social sciences (HR, Work & Organisational Psychology, Education, Business Economics) or equivalent experience.

• 3–5 years of experience in a broad HR role (HR Officer, HR Generalist, or HR Business Partner). Experience in an international or innovative environment is a plus.

• Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to advise and support managers.

• A proactive, solution-oriented mindset, and the ability to work independently as well as in a team.

• Strong organisational skills, discretion, and customer focus.

• Fluency in Dutch and English, spoken and written.

Why join us

At VITO, you’ll be part of a mission-driven organisation where people are the true drivers of innovation. This role gives you the chance to develop as a trusted HR partner, combining operational HR expertise with growing exposure to strategic HR work. You’ll join a collaborative HR team where knowledge is shared, and you’ll have opportunities to learn and grow alongside experienced colleagues.

Offer

What you’ll love about working here:

• Purpose-driven work: Every project at VITO addresses a real global challenge — from cleaner technologies to sustainable resource management.

• Impact at scale: Help shape the talent strategy of a research centre with global influence.

• Continuous growth: Learn, experiment, and develop through training, peer learning, and on-the-job challenges.

• Flexibility built-in: Balance your time between our Mol campus and home working (1–2 days per week).

• Attractive rewards: Competitive salary plus benefits, including allowances, insurance, and a modular holiday system. (only payroll possible, not via freelance scenario)