Specialist/Senior Specialist - HR Operations

Are you passionate about creating structure, driving improvements, and turning ideas into scalable HR processes? Do you thrive in a role that combines operational excellence, project leadership, and innovation? 

If so, now is your chance to join Ascendis Pharma as our new Specialist/Senior Specialist, HR Operations.

Ascendis Pharma is a global biopharmaceutical company committed to making a meaningful difference in patients’ lives. Guided by our core values of Patients, Science, and Passion, we are applying our innovative TransCon® technology platform to fulfill our mission of developing new therapies that demonstrate best-in-class potential to address unmet medical needs. 

At our headquarters in Hellerup, Denmark, research facilities in Heidelberg, Germany, and additional offices across Europe and the United States, we are advancing programs in our Endocrinology Rare Disease and Oncology portfolios. We also collaborate with partners on the development of TransCon-based products in other therapeutic areas and markets. 

We are seeking a highly motivated Specialist/Senior Specialist, HR Operations to join our team. As a key member of the HR Operations function, you will play a central role in driving operational excellence across our HR processes and programs. You will lead and support a broad range of initiatives, from complex cross-functional projects to day-to-day operational activities, helping ensure that our HR services are efficient, compliant, scalable, and aligned with business needs. 

You will be a trusted partner to HR colleagues, People Leaders, and key stakeholders across the organization,  driving projects and initiatives while also contributing to the day-to-day operations and ensuring that operational processes run effectively. The role requires a pragmatic mindset and the ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution. Furthermore, you will help drive the adoption of new technologies, including AI-enabled solutions, to improve employee experience and HR effectiveness. 

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced and international environment, collaborating with colleagues across functions and geographies to deliver impactful HR solutions. 

You will be joining the HR Operations team and report directly to Rikke Grøndahl Hansen, Director HR Operations Europe, based in Hellerup. The position will also be based in Hellerup. 

Your key responsibilities will be: 

• Lead and support HR Operations projects across Europe, ensuring successful planning, execution, and implementation. 

• Drive process improvements and standardization initiatives to enhance efficiency, quality, and compliance across HR operations. 

• Partner with HR, Legal, Finance, Payroll, IT, and other functions on operational and strategic initiatives. 

• Support and coordinate a wide range of HR operational activities. 

• Identify opportunities to leverage technology, automation, and AI tools to improve HR processes and employee experience. 

• Develop and maintain HR policies, procedures, process documentation, and governance frameworks. 

• Analyze HR operational data and trends to provide recommendations and support informed decision-making. 

• Support compliance activities related to employment practices, HR processes, and regulatory requirements. 

• Act as a subject matter expert and trusted advisor on HR operational matters. 

Qualifications and Skills: 

You hold a relevant academic degree and have substantial experience within HR Operations, HR Project Management, HR Shared Services, or a similar field. Experience from an international organization is considered an advantage. 

A legal background or education is a plus, as the role involves supporting employment-related processes, policy development, and compliance activities. 

Furthermore, you have: 

• 8+ years of relevant experience within HR Operations or related HR disciplines. 

• Proven experience leading cross-functional projects and driving operational improvements. 

• Strong understanding of HR processes, employee lifecycle management, and HR compliance requirements. 

• Experience identifying and implementing process automation and digital solutions, preferably including AI-enabled tools. 

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate complex issues into practical solutions. 

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills. 

• A structured and detail-oriented approach with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. 

• Fluency in Danish and English, both written and spoken. 

Key competencies: 

You are highly organized, proactive, and solution oriented. You enjoy working with both strategic initiatives and hands-on operational tasks, and you can shift seamlessly between the two. 

You possess strong project management skills and are comfortable navigating ambiguity, creating structure, and driving execution. You have a collaborative mindset and build trusting relationships across all levels of the organization. 

To succeed in this role, we expect you to take ownership, demonstrate sound judgment, and continuously look for opportunities to improve the way we work. 

Travel: 5-10 days per year 

Office: Tuborg Boulevard 12, 2900 Hellerup 

Apply now. 

We evaluate applications when received, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Please note that we conduct interviews on a rolling basis and reserve the right to remove the job posting at any time. 

To ensure your application is reviewed, please submit it through the specified platform. Applications sent by email or other channels will not be evaluated. 

For more details about the position or the company, please contact Rikke Grøndahl Hansen, Director HR Operations Europe, at [email protected]. 

You can learn more about Ascendis by visiting our website www.ascendispharma.com   

Applications must be submitted in English and will be treated confidentially. 

A note to recruiters:  

We do not allow external search party solicitation.  Presentation of candidates without written permission from the Ascendis Pharma HR team (specifically from: Talent Acquisition Partner or Human Resources Director) is not allowed.  If this occurs, your ownership of these candidates will not be acknowledged.