Regional HR Business Partner

Regional HR Business Partner - LATAM
Location: Hybrid - San Roman / San Jose - Costa Rica
We are now seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to play a key role in integrating and strengthening our people practices across the LATAM region.
Role Overview:
This is a critical, hands-on HR Business Partner role responsible for building, harmonising, and scaling HR practices across multiple LATAM entities (Colombia, Costa Rica and Ecuador), while coordinating closely with colleagues in headquarters and other subsidiaries.
The role will focus initially on post-acquisition integration, ensuring alignment of HR frameworks, compliance with local legislation, and implementation of consistent, scalable people processes, while recognising and preserving effective local practices.
Location:
Costa Rica (with regional responsibility) Located in the vicinity of San Jose or ideally San Ramon, but must have access to the San Ramon area of Costa Rica and happy to commute to office 2 times per week as well as visiting our sites in Columbia and Ecuador on a regular cadence.
Key Responsibilities
HR Integration & Harmonisation:
Lead the audit of existing HR practices across LATAM sites (including contracts, compensation and policies)Drive the standardisation of core HR processes, ensuring synergy with global frameworks while respecting local practicesDevelop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) and employee handbooks across entities
Data, Reporting & Governance:
Implement a standardised monthly headcount and HR reporting framework, providing accurate data to global stakeholdersEnsure data integrity and consistency across systems and locationsSupport reporting requirements for senior leadership and business planning
Performance & Talent Management:
Implement a structured performance management process across LATAM entitiesDesign and implement initiatives to improve talent retention based on regional challenges and share across other subsidiaries.Partner with leaders to embed a culture of performance, feedback and accountabilitySupport talent development and succession planning initiatives
Recruitment & Workforce Planning:
Establish a consistent hiring framework for key roles and define best practice recruitment processes across the region, whilst respecting existing local custom & practicePartner with hiring managers to support critical hires and workforce planningEnsure recruitment approaches are aligned with both global standards and local market realities
Compensation & Benefits:
Review and align compensation structures for critical roles across LATAM entitiesProvide insight on local market practices to ensure competitive and compliant reward strategiesSupport benchmarking and harmonisation efforts as part of integration
Legal Compliance & Risk Management:
Ensure full compliance with local labour laws and regulations across all LATAM entitiesPartner with legal and external advisors where requiredIdentify and mitigate HR-related risks during and post-integration
Global Collaboration:
Partner with HR colleagues in headquarters and other subsidiaries to align approaches and share best practiceSupport the implementation of consistent global HR standards across all regionsAct as a key regional HR contact within a global matrix organisation
Health and Safety:
Act as point of contact for outsourced Health and Safety support across Latam and provide monthly reporting to UK Head of Health and Safety.
Reporting to:
The Chief People Officer UK with a dotted line reporting into the General Manager Rahan ( based Israel) and close working relations with Country managers in Costa Rica, Colombia and Ecuador
Travel: Required across LATAM and occasional travel to UK
Skills & Experience
Essential:
Proven experience as a stand alone HR Business Partner in a multi-country or regional role in Latam and operating across multiple time zones with other HR colleagues.Strong knowledge of LATAM labour law and HR practices (ideally Colombia, Costa Rica and Ecuador)Experience supporting organisational change, integration or transformation initiativesDemonstrated ability to build, improve and implement HR processesStrong stakeholder management skills across cultures and geographiesFluency in Spanish and English
Desirable:
Experience in biotech, agriculture or science-led organisationsExposure to global HR structures and matrix environmentsExperience working across APAC regions
Personal Attributes:
Comfortable as the only dedicated HR support for the Latam region ( 3 sites) operating on a different timezone to other global HR colleagues.Self -driven and used to operating as a business partner at a Senior level but also Hands-on and pragmatic, with a strong delivery focus.Culturally aware with the ability to balance global consistency and local nuanceStrong analytical and problem-solving capabilityResilient and adaptable in a fast-paced, evolving environmentCollaborative, with excellent communication and influencing skills
About Tropic
Tropic Biosciences is a leading biotechnology company focused on developing innovative crop solutions through gene editing and advanced plant science. As part of our continued growth, we are expanding our global footprint through acquisition, bringing together teams across Latin America, Middle East/ Africa, South-east Asia and UK.
Closing Date: 28th August 2026