Sophie Walsh

HR Generalist EMEA @ Grant Thornton

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

About

A motivated and ambitious HR Generalist with a genuine passion for people and a strong commitment to supporting employees at every stage of their journey within an organisation. Holding a BA (Hons) in Human Resource Management (2:1) from the National College of Ireland, I combine a solid academic foundation with practical, hands-on experience across a broad range of HR disciplines including administration, employee relations and generalist HR. In my current role as an HR Generalist, I work closely with colleagues, people managers and senior stakeholders across a broad range of HR disciplines, spanning employee relations, leave management, policy refinement and HRIS development. I lead on ER cases, deliver training to people managers, steer monthly HR Operations calls and co-lead the ERG for Employee Wellbeing. Most recently, I have played an active role in expanding the firm's HRIS and global systems to support the onboarding of additional EMEA countries. I pride myself on being flexible, adaptable and eager to learn, bringing a collaborative and solutions-driven approach to everything I do. Prior to this, my experience with The HR Company provided me with a strong grounding in employment law, contract preparation, employee handbooks and HR advisory support which helped in deepening my understanding of employee rights and the importance of clear, compliant documentation in protecting both the individual and the organisation. Beyond my professional experience, I have demonstrated leadership and initiative outside of the workplace. During my time at NCI, I served as President of the Fashion Society from 2021 to 2023, leading a team, managing competing priorities and creating an inclusive environment where members felt heard and valued. I was also awarded Fresher of the Year for the 2020/2021 academic year in recognition of my enthusiasm and involvement across clubs and societies. I am a fluent Irish speaker and hold a full, clean driver's licence.

Experience

  • Grant Thornton Ireland ()
    • HR Generalist EMEA
      Jan 2026 - Present · 7 mos

      Key duties: ·         Leading on a broad range of ER cases including PIPs, probation outcomes, exam-related exits and formal grievances, while delivering ER training to people managers and supporting the refinement of HR policies to build consistency and enhance employee engagement across the organisation ·         Overseeing all categories of leave end-to-end including firm-wide sick leave, statutory and family leave, ensuring full compliance with legislation and accurate payroll updates each month ·         Steering monthly HR Operations calls, acting as a key point of contact for employee and manager queries, and contributing to bi-annual budget meetings including round table ratings, manager follow-ups and statistics ·         Co-leading the Employee Resource Group for Employee Wellbeing while playing an active role in expanding the firm's HRIS and global systems, supporting the onboarding of additional EMEA countries through coordination of data requirements, system configuration and cross-regional stakeholder communication

    • Human Resources Associate
      Jan 2024 - Dec 2025 · 2 yrs

      Key duties: ·         Coordinating the full onboarding and offboarding process, including inductions, systems setup, payroll deadlines, exit interviews, benefit cessation and offboarding communications, while preparing monthly contract-end reports and flagging long-term sick leave to relevant stakeholders ·         Presenting quarterly summaries of leaver trends to identify key drivers of turnover and recommend retention strategies, supported by accurate note-taking across ER meetings including disciplinaries, probation reviews and outcome meetings ·         Collaborating on HRIS development to build out new processes, reports and system documentation, while playing a key role in onboarding the firm onto a new healthcare provider and overseeing ongoing benefit and reward scheme administration ·         Serving as an active member of the Employee Resource Group for Employee Wellbeing, contributing to initiatives and programmes designed to enhance the overall employee experience across the organisation

  • Data Administrator at Irish Dental Council
    Oct 2023 - Jan 2024 · 4 mos

    Key duties: ·         Managing and maintaining systems, files and records, ensuring all documentation is organised, up to date and easily accessible ·         Handling incoming and outgoing correspondence including emails, phone calls and post, ensuring all communications are directed to the appropriate person in a timely manner ·         Providing general administrative support to the wider team, including preparing documents, reports and presentations as required

  • Head Lounge Girl at The Club Dalkey
    Dec 2020 - Nov 2023 · 3 yrs

    Key duties: ·         Serving food and drinks to customers in a timely and professional manner ·         Maintaining a thorough knowledge of the menu, daily specials, allergens and dietary requirements ·         Handling customer queries, complaints and special requests in a polite and professional manner ·         Processing payments accurately, including cash and card transactions ·         Managing reservations and seating arrangements during busy periods ·         Opening and closing duties including restocking, cleaning and the cash ·         Always adhering to food hygiene and health and safety standards ·         Providing a warm, friendly and memorable experience for every customer

  • National College of Ireland (2 yrs 9 mos)
    • President of the Fashion Society
      Sep 2021 - May 2023 · 1 yr 9 mos

      Key duties: ·         Leading and managing the society committee, chairing regular meetings, delegating responsibilities effectively and ensuring all members are working collaboratively towards shared goals and objectives ·         Acting as the primary spokesperson and representative of the society, building and maintaining relationships with college staff, external organisations and other societies to promote the society's profile and opportunities for members ·         Overseeing the planning and delivery of a varied calendar of events, initiatives and activities, ensuring the society remains engaging, inclusive and accessible to all members throughout the academic year

    • Student Representative - Electoral Commission
      Dec 2021 - Jun 2022 · 7 mos

      Key duties: ·         Overseeing the planning, coordination and delivery of student elections, ensuring all processes are conducted fairly, transparently and in accordance with the college's electoral rules and regulations ·         Acting as a neutral and impartial representative throughout the electoral process, addressing candidate queries, resolving disputes and ensuring all students have equal opportunity to participate, whether as a candidate or voter ·         Promoting student engagement and awareness of upcoming elections through campaigns and communications, encouraging maximum voter turnout and ensuring the student body feels informed, represented and empowered in the democratic process

    • Treasury of the Fashion Society
      Sep 2020 - Sep 2021 · 1 yr 1 mo

      Key duties: ·         Managing and maintaining the society's finances, including tracking income and expenditure, processing payments and ensuring all transactions are accurately recorded and accounted for ·         Preparing and presenting regular financial reports and budget updates to the society committee, ensuring full transparency and accountability across all spending decisions ·         Overseeing the collection of membership fees, fundraising proceeds and any other revenue streams, while ensuring the society operates within its agreed budget and all financial obligations are met on time

  • Summer Intern at The HR Company
    May 2021 - Aug 2021 · 4 mos

    Key duties: ·         Drafting and preparing a range of employment documentation including contracts, NDAs and employee handbooks, ensuring all documents were accurate, legally compliant and consistent with current employment legislation ·         Providing accurate and detailed note-taking support across employee relations calls and formal meetings, maintaining confidential records in a clear, concise and GDPR-compliant manner ·         Planning and coordinating a varied programme of team bonding and employee engagement activities, managing logistics, communications and scheduling to ensure all events ran smoothly and inclusively