Chief People Officer (CPO)

Our client is a high-growth alternative Independent Power Producer (IPP) operating across Europe, with a strong presence in Spain, Italy, and Portugal. They develop, build, and operate renewable energy projects that incorporate advanced storage and hybridisation technologies. Rooted in a strong sense of purpose, their mission goes beyond clean energy production—they prioritise positive social and environmental outcomes for the local communities they serve.

With ambitious plans to scale across Europe, they are seeking a commercially minded, values-driven Chief People Officer to lead their People function through this next stage of growth.

The Role The Chief People Officer will join the executive leadership team and take full ownership of the People & Culture strategy. This individual will be responsible for building scalable people operations, supporting international expansion, and fostering a cohesive, mission-aligned culture across all markets.

This is a strategic yet hands-on role, ideal for a leader who can balance big-picture thinking with practical execution across multiple jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Culture

Develop and execute a people strategy aligned with the company’s growth objectives and values.

Champion a people-first culture that reflects the company’s activist, community-led approach.

Act as a key advisor to the CEO and senior leadership on all organisational and talent matters.

Talent Acquisition & Employer Brand

Build a scalable recruitment function to support rapid growth across Europe.

Position the business as an employer of choice within the renewable energy and sustainability sectors.

Organisational Design & Scaling

Design HR structures and systems that support international scale-up.

Lead workforce planning, onboarding, and internal mobility initiatives.

Leadership Development & Capability Building

Develop performance management, leadership development, and succession planning frameworks.

Support senior leaders in building inclusive, high-performing teams.

Employee Experience & Engagement

Implement strategies to strengthen employee engagement, belonging, and retention.

Foster a people-centric culture across diverse teams and local contexts.

Compliance & Governance

Ensure full compliance with employment laws across all operating regions.

Oversee policy development, compensation frameworks, and HR governance.

Your Profile Significant experience in a senior HR or People leadership role within a fast-paced, international company.

Proven success scaling people operations across multiple European markets (particularly Spain, Italy, and Portugal).

Strategic leadership skills paired with hands-on delivery capability.

Strong understanding of organisational design, change management, and talent strategy.

Fluent in English; fluency in Spanish, Italian, or Portuguese is highly desirable.

Background in renewable energy, infrastructure, or other mission-driven sectors.

Experience working across both corporate and start-up / scale-up environments.

Demonstrated commitment to social impact, DEI, and sustainability.

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