People Partner

Role: People Partner

Location: Bucharest, Romania
Job type: Full time, Permanent – Hybrid 

Why QS?

At QS, we believe that work should empower you. That’s why we foster a flexible working environment that encourages every employee to own their career whilst flourishing personally and professionally. Our company values underpin everything we do – we collaborate, respect and support each other.

It’s our mission to empower motivated people around the world to fulfil their potential through higher education, ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities that change lives.

Our diversity makes us stronger. By sharing our experiences, we learn from one another and achieve more together, driving progress across the sector.

At QS, you’ll be responsible for implementing real change in the international higher education landscape. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that see a positive impact across the business and the wider sector.

We’re confident you’ll feel right at home here. QS was named as one of Newsweek’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® in the UK (October 2023), recognising the respect, trust and appreciation that drive our culture every day. And as a gold-accredited Investors in People organisation – putting us among the top 28% of workplaces globally – it’s official: QS is a place where everyone can thrive.

As a People Partner, this is what you’ll be doing:

The People Partner supports the delivery of People operations and employment compliance across Romania and selected international jurisdictions. The role ensures adherence to the Romanian Labour Code and applicable employment legislation, while providing HR advisory support across EMEA and US.

This position combines operational HR delivery, employment law compliance, employee relations support, and coordination of People initiatives. It acts as the primary HR point of contact for Romania and provides advisory support across other jurisdictions, ensuring employment practices align with statutory requirements and internal People standards.

The role also supports contractor governance processes, ensuring compliance with local legislation, mitigation of misclassification risks, and alignment with Finance and Legal

Role responsibilities:

Romania Labour Law Governance & Compliance

Provide day-to-day HR advisory support in accordance with the Romanian Labour Code, collective regulations, and related legislation.

Prepare and coordinate employment documentation, addenda, disciplinary documents, and termination letters in collaboration with authorised signatories.

Support engagement with Romanian authorities, including ITM and other regulatory bodies, where required.

Update internal regulations, policies, and employment templates in line with legislative amendments.

Support compliant management of disciplinary procedures, investigations, performance processes, redundancies, and restructures.

Support payroll providers to ensure payroll accuracy and statutory reporting compliance.

Monitor legislative developments and escalate potential business impact where appropriate.

EMEA & Global HR Advisory

Provide HR advisory support across EMEA and US in collaboration with local advisors and external counsel.

Coordinate cross-border employment processes including hiring, contractual changes, mobility, and terminations.

Support HR administration processes, benefits coordination, and payroll vendor liaison to ensure smooth employee lifecycle management.

Ensure alignment between local employment practices and global People standards.

Identify and escalate legal or operational risks across jurisdictions to the Head of People where necessary.

Contractor & Workforce Governance

Support implementation and monitoring of contractor management processes across regions.

Assist in assessing misclassification risks in collaboration with Finance and Legal.

Coordinate contractor onboarding, renewals, extensions, and conversions to employment where applicable.

Workforce Planning & Organisational Support

Provide input into workforce planning discussions and structural reviews.

Support managers with role clarity, job documentation, and organisational updates.

Assist in maintaining job architecture documentation and alignment where required.

Support change processes and organisational transitions from an HR advisory perspective.

Employee Relations & Performance Management

Support employee relations cases including investigations, misconduct, grievances, and performance improvement processes, escalating complex matters as appropriate.

Assist managers on objective setting, annual review processes, and development planning.

Ensure consistent documentation and procedural fairness aligned with jurisdictional requirements.

Support retention initiatives and employee engagement discussions.

HR Operations & Systems

Manage end-to-end employee lifecycle processes in Romania and support regional consistency globally.

Assist HRIS stakeholders on system updates and optimisation initiatives.

Maintain data accuracy, reporting integrity, and compliance with data protection principles.

Provide data and reporting insights to support workforce decision-making.

Learning & Development

Deliver pre-designed professional development workshops and team-based learning sessions where required.

Promote and support utilisation of QS learning platforms, including QSphere.

Provide feedback to the Head of People (EMEA & US) on programme engagement and workplace application.

Engagement & Culture

Support delivery of employee engagement initiatives across regions.

Facilitate pre-designed People capability sessions where required.

Support managers to strengthen communication and change management capability.

Assist with DEIB initiatives and inclusive workplace practices.

Key skills and experience:

Strong knowledge of Romanian Labour Code and employment legislation

Multi-jurisdictional HR advisory experience

Solid risk awareness and compliance mindset

Experience supporting contractor populations

Good stakeholder management and influencing capability

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Professional discretion and sound judgment

So, who are we and what do we do?

QS is the world leader in higher education services, analytics, insights and intelligence. From consultancy to student mobility, academic partnerships to branding solutions, our services power both institutional and individual success.

We’re behind the world’s most widely read university rankings (Meltwater 2023). Our QS World University Rankings® reach hundreds of millions, shaping decisions and guiding futures.

Since launching in 1990, our impact and influence have only grown. Today, we work with more than 2,000 of the world’s leading higher education institutions, over 12,000 employers, and governments seeking change and socioeconomic development through higher education. 

Join QS and you’ll join an 800-strong community of problem-solvers, creators, collaborators and change-makers based in 40+ countries and 11
international offices, including Australia, Malaysia, India, Romania, Singapore, France, Germany, the USA and our headquarters in London. 

With every talented new hire, business acquisition and bold initiative, we’re strengthening our reach and delivering even greater value to institutions and learners worldwide. Are you ready to shape the future of higher education?

We take investing in our people very seriously.

As standard you will have:

Competitive base salary

Access to an annual bonus scheme (for qualifying roles only)

21 days annual leave

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Unicredit Bank Partnership

Meal tickets

Medical subscription to Regina Maria

A vibrant social environment and multicultural and multinational culture

But that’s not all. Outside of these standard benefits we also offer resources to allow professional growth, and wellness initiatives to nurture a healthy mindset:

Free subscription to the Calm App – the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation

A focus on welfare which is led by our global wellness team, with mental health first aiders globally

Access to a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups

Strong recognition and reward programs – including a peer-to-peer recognition platform, quarterly and annual QS Applaud Awards, Connect with your Career annual PD event

Support for volunteering and study leave 

Free subscription to LinkedIn learning – with over 5000 courses and programmes at your fingertips

Options to join our outstanding global Mentorship programme    

Like what you’ve heard? Great, apply now!

As a candidate, we know the application and interview process can be daunting and so it’s important that you have a great experience with us. Our dedicated Talent Team will work hard to ensure you are fully informed at all stages, and you are really excited by this opportunity to do meaningful work in the education space.

Equal opportunities

QS Quacquarelli Symonds is proud to be a fair and equal organisation where everyone has the same opportunity to achieve their full potential, irrespective of their background or personal attributes. We celebrate our diversity and believe through sharing our experiences we can learn from one another, be stronger together, and enable our business to thrive.