HR Business Partner

The HR Business Partner serves as a visible, trusted, and approachable partner, supporting ISZL’s employees (approx. 320) across two campuses while supporting the school’s mission and strategic priorities.

The role delivers high-quality operational HR support while fostering a culture of trust, belonging, well-being, accountability, and continuous improvement—ultimately helping ISZL attract, develop, support, and retain exceptional talent. The HR Business Partner is expected to maintain a hands-on working style, ready to help wherever needed, and to combine excellent customer service with accurate HR administration and recruitment. The successful candidate needs to be an exceptionally strong team player, collaborating and supporting all members of the HR Team.

This is an 80-100% on-site position.

The HR Business Partner will provide operational HR support and people partnership in the following areas:

General Responsibilities

• Employee relations: handle complex cases, including conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, investigations, and grievances, with a pragmatic and legally sound approach.
• Counsel: Act as a strategic advisor to our line managers, providing strategic counsel on various topics, including Swiss labor law and FTE allocation.
• Talent Acquisition: partner closely with ISZL team leaders to understand workforce needs and manage end-to-end recruitment for assigned roles, including briefing hiring managers, posting, screening, coordinating interviews, reference checks, and offer administration, providing a high-quality candidate and hiring-manager experience.
• Human Resources Administration: Deliver accurate, timely HR administration across the employee lifecycle, including contracts, records, systems, and day-to-day queries, maintaining high data quality and professional follow-through.
• Policy Management: Support the development, implementation, and regular review of HR policies and employee handbooks to ensure they remain practical, people-centred, and aligned with Swiss labour law and organisational best practice.
• Process Improvement: Write, map, and continuously improve HR processes so that work is clear, consistent, and easier for both the HR team and the wider school.
• Human Resources Systems: Contribute to the ongoing development of HR systems and processes that enable an efficient, data-informed, and people-centred employee experience.
• Data, Insights & AI: Contribute to meaningful HR reporting and data quality, and support the responsible adoption of AI-enabled solutions within Human Resources processes and services.
• Onboarding & International Relocation: Support the onboarding journey for new employees, including active participation in the annual Introduction Week, and assist with relocation, housing, and local registration for international hires in partnership with colleagues and external agencies.

Required and Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of HR BP or generalist/specialist experience, with proven hands‑on expertise in recruitment and employee relations
• Outstanding customer service and a genuine willingness to help wherever needed, with a hands-on, solutions-oriented approach and pride in high-quality follow-through.
• Experience working with data/AI and/or developing retention/culture building/well-being initiatives is a an advantage, so is experience dealing with payroll-related topics
• Demonstrable experience dealing with people and coaching them when needed.
• Working knowledge of Swiss labour law, local social security frameworks, and common HR practice for organisations operating in Switzerland.
• Fluent English and strong German (written and spoken).

What we offer

• Generous holiday entitlement (5 weeks + 1 week during end of the year holidays)
• Paid insurance benefits (accident insurance + long-term sickness)
• Generous pension fund contributions
• Professional development opportunities
• Tuition discount
• Social events
• Flexibility
• A modern, dynamic and collaborative work environment
• Open communication

Key ISZL Reference Documents

• Guiding Statements
• Professional Standards
• Teaching Standards
• Learning Principles
• Inclusion Policy
• Visit the Employment section of ISZL’s website for more information

ISZL is an equal-opportunity employer

As such, ISZL agrees to support, respect, and seek inclusion with regard to the safety and care of all community members, including potential members looking to join our school. This includes but is not limited to: age; disabilities; ethnicity; gender; gender expression; gender identity; health needs; languages spoken; marital status; mental health; national origin; political affiliation; race; religion; sex; sexual orientation, and any additional characteristic protected under Swiss law.

ISZL endeavours to understand and protect the civil and human rights of all individuals, striving to maintain a high level of multicultural awareness and knowledge about all applicable laws and statutes related to non-discrimination and inclusion.

Child Protection

ISZL is committed to using the International Task Force on Child Protection screening and assessment practices for schools in all hiring processes. ISZL takes seriously its responsibility for safeguarding our students against abuse and neglect. All staff and other adults associated with ISZL are expected to share this commitment and to immediately report any concerns regarding a student’s safety or well-being.