HR Manager CZ/SK

At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work—but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us. 

Purpose of the Role

The HR Manager Czech and Slovak Republics is responsible for leading the development and execution of a comprehensive human resources strategy that aligns with the organization’s vision and both current and long-term business objectives. This role supports strategic HR initiatives delegated by the Cluster HR Director, covering workforce planning, talent management, career development, employee relations, payroll operations, employee engagement, compensation and benefits, and organizational development. As a member of the affiliate leadership team, the HR Manager actively contributes to strategic planning and decision-making, while ensuring full compliance with Czech and Slovak Labour Code and Lilly’s global HR standards.

The position is based in Prague, Czech Republic.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Leadership

• Partner with the Cluster HR Director to design and implement strategic HR goals for the Czech and Slovak affiliate.
• Contribute actively to affiliate-level strategic planning, organizational decision-making, and business partnering.
• Drive change management initiatives, supporting leaders through organizational transitions.

HR Operations & Compliance

• Oversee the full implementation and administration of HR policies, programs, and practices in line with Lilly global standards.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with the Czech and Slovak Labour Code and all applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee master data in Workday and other HR systems.
• Lead onboarding, offboarding, and internal mobility processes to ensure a consistent and positive employee experience.
• Maintain contact with HR-related authorities and manage statutory reporting obligations.

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

• Lead end-to-end recruitment strategies to attract, select, and retain top talent.
• Ensure optimal staffing levels and support organizational design initiatives in collaboration with business leaders.
• Drive succession planning, workforce development, and key talent retention efforts.
• Identify critical roles and build talent pipelines in alignment with affiliate and cluster priorities.

Training & Development

• Design and implement training programs that address current capability gaps and future development needs.
• Support management development initiatives, including onboarding programs, operational training, and leadership learning.
• Promote a coaching culture aligned with the Lilly Coaching Framework and SLII principles.

Performance Management

• Lead the implementation of Lilly’s performance management cycle across the affiliate.
• Build and sustain a continuous feedback culture, supporting managers in delivering meaningful performance conversations.
• Coach leaders on goal-setting, performance differentiation, and development planning.

Compensation & Benefits

• Coordinate the monthly payroll process, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Communicate and apply compensation strategies and structures aligned with business objectives.
• Monitor the benefits landscape, operate the flex benefits system, and maintain all benefit elements.
• Participate in salary surveys and benchmarking in line with WTW peer cut methodology and global requirements.
• Own planning and budgeting of compensation and benefits for the Czech and Slovak affiliate.
• Operate employee recognition programs to reinforce performance and engagement.

Employee Relations & Engagement

• Foster a positive, psychologically safe work environment that supports high employee morale and motivation.
• Develop and implement policies that strengthen the employer-employee relationship and ensure legal compliance.
• Provide coaching, guidance, and proactive support to managers and employees on people matters.
• Design and drive employee engagement initiatives in response to affiliate-level data and feedback.

Inclusion

• Champion an inclusive workplace culture where all employees feel valued and respected.
• Embed inclusion principles into talent acquisition, performance, and development practices.
• Partner with leaders to identify and address unconscious bias and systemic barriers within the affiliate.

Health & Safety

• Ensure full compliance with health and safety regulations and all legislated reporting requirements.
• Promote employee wellbeing initiatives and maintain a safe working environment.

Stakeholder Management

• Build effective cross-functional relationships with Finance, Legal, Commercial, and regional HR partners.
• Represent the HR function in affiliate Leadership Team discussions and regional HR forums.
• Manage relationships with external vendors, legal counsel, and HR-related authorities as required.

Labour Law

• Apply expert knowledge of the Czech and Slovak Labour Code to navigate employee relations matters, policy updates, and legal changes.
• Manage employment litigation and legal cases; maintain effective relationships with external legal counsel.
• Lead and conduct HR investigations in accordance with Lilly’s Speak Up and integrity standards.

Skills & Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Minimum 5 years of relevant HR experience, ideally in a multinational environment.
• University degree in Human Resources, Organizational Behavior, Psychology, Business, or equivalent; MBA is a plus.
• Broad generalist HR background with expertise in employment law, compensation, organizational planning, employee relations, and talent development.
• Strong working knowledge of the Czech or Slovak Labour Code.
• Experience with HR systems; Workday proficiency is an advantage.

Core Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to build credibility and act as a trusted business partner at leadership level.
• Strong strategic acumen combined with the ability to translate strategy into practical, people-centred solutions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to engage effectively across a diverse, multicultural workforce.
• Proven coaching mindset; experience applying structured coaching frameworks in a professional setting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-informed approach to HR decisions.
• Sound judgment and the ability to balance business needs with employee advocacy.
• Ability to perform with composure and diplomacy in high-pressure and ambiguous situations.
• Results-oriented with a strong sense of personal accountability and follow-through.
• Strong ability to build genuine connections with employees at all levels and earn their trust through consistent, empathetic, and transparent engagement.
• Excellent written and spoken English; Czech or Slovak language proficiency required.

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form (https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Lilly does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.