Ilse van Loon

HR Business Partner | International People & Organisation | Talent, Compensation & Growth | Green Giraffe Group

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

About

ABOUT ME I work as an HR Business Partner across different countries and cultures - and that is what I enjoy most about my work. Over the past 15+ years, I have built broad experience in international (NL-based) work environments. I would describe myself as a senior HR professional, comfortable working independently, while also valuing collaboration. My experience includes deep HR expertise in the Netherlands, combined with strong experience in international employment contexts across Australia, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, Japan, South Africa, Singapore, the UK and the US. Each country brings its own way of working, challenges and expectations, which keeps the work dynamic and never the same. Much of my experience is in organisations that are still evolving - setting up new offices, building teams and creating structure while the organisation grows. I feel most comfortable in environments where you can make a real impact and where ideas can be shared openly. In my role, I sit in the space between business and people. I like to understand what is really going on in a team or organisation, including what is not always said directly. I translate this into practical, workable HR solutions, whether around organisational change, cross-border hires or supporting managers in making better decisions. I am often a sparring partner, particularly during periods of growth or change. At the same time, I enjoy working closely with colleagues - brainstorming, sharing ideas and learning from each other. I thrive in a kind, open and dynamic environment, with room for both professionalism and energy. I get a lot of energy from building, improving and connecting things. Especially when not everything is fully defined yet, I like bringing structure and clarity, while keeping things human and realistic in daily practice. MY FOCUS AREAS - HR Business Partnering in international environments - Organisation and team development - Global mobility and cross-border employment - Talent and employee experience - Supporting compensation and performance discussions (with a focus on expectations, development and alignment) MY WORKING STYLE - Hands-on and pragmatic - Structured, but not rigid - Curious and proactive - Strong awareness of dynamics and underlying signals - Reliable, energetic, resilient and people-oriented

Experience

  • HR Business Partner | International People & Organisation | Talent, Compensation & Growth at Green Giraffe Advisory
    Nov 2018 - Present · 7 yrs 9 mos

    Working at an international, purpose-driven advisory boutique in the energy transition means operating in a fast-moving, deal-driven environment - and that is exactly where I feel most at home. I partner closely with Country Managers and senior staff across multiple geographies (AU | DE | DK | ES | FR | JP | SG | UK | ZA, with NL as base), supporting teams active in M&A, project finance and advisory mandates. My role combines hands-on HR with business partnering: translating business needs into practical, workable people solutions. Much of my work sits in moments where things are not fully defined yet: growth phases, new office set-ups, organisational change or more complex employee situations. I enjoy working on non-standard, sometimes sensitive topics where a more tailored approach is needed, bringing structure, clarity and creativity without overcomplicating things. I would describe myself as a kind and perceptive HR partner, with a strong awareness of what is happening below the surface. I tend to pick up signals not always explicitly said. I do my best work in trust-based environments - where openness and respect allow for honest conversations and where my impact is strongest. WHAT I FOCUS ON IN PRACTICE - HR Business Partnering in international, fast-paced environments - Sparring partner to senior stakeholders on organisational change, team dynamics and performance - Recruitment lead (2019 - 2022): built the foundation for global hiring and a more consistent, scalable approach - Recruitment and employer branding (incl re-design of the careers website) - Global mobility and cross-border employment - Setting up HR foundations in new markets and supporting scale-up phases - Employee relations and more complex / non-standard HR cases I enjoy environments where you are expected to think independently, move quickly and where there is space to build, improve and bring new ideas.

  • Global Mobility Specialist at Kinross Gold Corporation
    Sep 2017 - Sep 2018 · 1 yr 1 mo

    Kinross Gold Corporation is a Canadian-based gold mine company with a diverse portfolio of mines and projects worldwide. Headquartered in Toronto, Kinross employs approximately 9300 people worldwide. Kinross currently operates eight active gold mines and is the 5th largest gold producer in the world. The company's mines are located in Brazil, Ghana, Mauritania, Russia and the United States. As Global Mobility Specialist, I was co-responsible for smooth and efficient transitions from home to challenging host locations for a diverse population of 180 expatriates (Globalists, Rotators, traditional LTA) and ongoing support & administration of these programs.

  • Interim Manager | Assist in set up new organization (HR Policy and Process Development) at Z-CERT
    Jun 2017 - Aug 2017 · 3 mos

  • AIRINC (Associates for International Research Inc.) (11 yrs)
    • Client Engagement Manager | Global Mobility
      Jan 2010 - Jan 2017 · 7 yrs 1 mo

      RESPONSIBILITIES - Global Account Management to 90+ organizations (FMCG | Oil&Gas | Pharma | Finance | Government & Nonprofit | Big 4) with diverse Global Mobility data & consultation needs - Preparation of expatriate calculations, including escalation and briefings - Policy Consultation & Benchmarking - Relationship Management AIRINC partners within EMEA region - Close collaboration with Business Development (tender | transition assistance) - Client presentations | trainings | labor union negotiation | on-site meetings with local HR & expatriates - Office Management AIRINC Amsterdam office (closure 2017)

    • Client Service Representative | Global Mobility
      Feb 2006 - Jan 2010 · 4 yrs

  • PA to Executive Management at Astellas Pharma
    Sep 2004 - Jan 2006 · 1 yr 5 mos

    Initially interim secondment, followed by direct hire.