Talent Operations Lead

Job title: Talent Operations Lead

We’re looking to hire a Talent Operations Lead to join our team in Budapest. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead and manage the Talent Operations team, driving improvements in day-to-day operations, processes, documentation, and technology to enhance the overall effectiveness of our Talent processes. The Talent Operations team sits at the intersection of our People Services team and the Talent CoE function to make sure integrated candidate and Wiser experiences meet the right level of functional knowledge of Talent.

The Talent Operations team plays a crucial role in ensuring that we have the right people, at the right time, and with the right tools to support our business goals. To thrive in this role, you should be passionate about leading a high performing team, optimizing processes, streamlining workflows, and leveraging technology to drive efficiencies. As the ideal candidate, you will be skilled at managing teams, improving operational performance, and creating strategic solutions to tackle challenges. Additionally, you’ll bring a forward-thinking approach to shape the team’s future direction and ensure we continue to meet the evolving needs of the organization.

Your mission:

• Lead and manage the Talent Operations team to drive improvement in the day-to-day operations, processes, documentation and technology
• Partner with global team members who maintain a dotted-line reporting relationship, ensuring cohesive operations and alignment with overarching talent objectives.
• Drive the development, implementation, and refinement of talent systems and processes to improve efficiency and candidate experience.
• Oversee the accurate collection, analysis, and reporting of talent metrics and data analytics, contributing to data-driven decision-making processes.
• Utilise talent system data to support improvements and share insights to key stakeholders across the business
• Maintain a comprehensive knowledge management system to ensure the availability and accessibility of up-to-date talent resources and documentation.
• Ensure that all talent coordination activities are conducted smoothly and effectively, maintaining a high standard of professionalism and efficiency.
• Ensure that all talent coordination activities are conducted smoothly and effectively, maintaining a high standard of professionalism and efficiency.
• Administer and control access to talent tools, ensuring they are up-to-date and meet the team's requirements.

This role offers you the opportunity to:

• Foster a collaborative partnership with the People Services management team and the Talent Strategy and Transformation team, providing operational insights and staying abreast of upcoming strategic initiatives.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance candidate experience and optimise the overall candidate journey.
• Develop and sustain relationships with internal teams (e.g. Talent, People Operations etc) and external partners (third party vendors, agencies) to ensure efficient collaboration and alignment with business goals.
• Play an integral role in ensuring the operational readiness of the team for future talent initiatives and changes.
• Lead by example, promoting a positive, inclusive work culture that encourages teamwork and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

A bit about you:

• Proven Operational Leader: Have prior leadership experience managing teams (3+ direct reports) in People Operations, People Services, or Talent Operations within a fast-paced or shared services environment.

• Ownership & Accountability: Possess a strong ownership mindset - you proactively identify problems, take full responsibility for solutions, handle mistakes without victimization, and solve challenges alongside your team rather than complaining.

• Empowering Leadership Style: Lead with empathy and clarity; you empower and support your team while defending and advocating for them when needed.

• HCM & ATS Expertise: Hands-on experience working with Workday (or similar enterprise HCMs like SAP/Oracle) and comfort using ATS (e.g., SmartRecruiters).

• Tech-First & AI Mindset: Comfortable using modern tools, automation, and AI to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and drive operational excellence.

• Operational Focus: Thriving in operational execution and process optimization rather than relying strictly on project-based work.

• Global Collaboration: Proven ability to work cross-functionally and manage scope/teams across distributed international regions and time zones.

• Communication & Feedback: Excellent written and verbal English skills, with transparent communication, high adaptability to different stakeholders, and a genuine openness to feedback.

• Adaptability & Problem Solving: Quickly connect the dots in complex, evolving situations, thinking creatively to resolve issues with speed and precision.

• Additional Information