Process Excellence & Transformation Manager at Dentons · Warsaw

PROCESS EXCELLENCE & TRANSFORMATION MANAGER

At Dentons Business Services EMEA, we are committed to excellence in supporting legal professionals with cutting-edge solutions. Our dynamic and diverse team collaborates seamlessly to provide a wide range of services, including finance, IT, human resources, marketing, and more. We pride ourselves on fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability.

Dentons Business Services EMEA serves as the operational backbone of Dentons, supporting the world’s largest law firm in delivering exceptional service to clients across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

As a crucial component of Dentons' global network, our EMEA business services team plays a key role in driving efficiency, innovation, and collaboration.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a senior individual contributor role for someone who leads through expertise and inspiration, not hierarchy. Reporting to the Head of HR Services, you will be the driving force behind smarter, leaner, and more automated HR operations in our Warsaw SSC.

Embedded in the HR Operations team, you will coach them in Lean thinking, run improvement and automation projects, and equip colleagues with the tools and mindset to continuously raise the bar. You will also work closely with IT and global stakeholders to deliver technically sound, scalable change.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Process Improvement, Continuous Excellence & Transitions

· Lead end-to-end improvement initiatives using continuous improvement methodologies - mapping processes, finding waste, and delivering measurable results.

· Create and own SOPs, process maps, and RACI matrices that make HR operations consistent, audit-ready, and easy to follow.

· Run ideation sessions with the HR Ops team; build a pipeline of ideas and make continuous improvement a daily habit.

· Support the onboarding of new processes into HR Services - ensuring they're well-documented and reviewed for improvement opportunities from day one.

Automation & Digital Projects

· Identify and lead automation opportunities - RPA, workflow tools, AI-enabled solutions - translating HR needs into functional specs and working hand-in-hand with IT to deliver.

· Evaluate and pilot new HR technology, staying ahead of the curve on AI and digital trends.

Project Management

· Manage multiple improvement and technology projects concurrently — plans, risks, milestones, and stakeholder updates — using recognised PM methodologies.

· Coordinate across HR SSC, COEs, IT, and vendors to keep delivery on track without direct line authority.

Stakeholder Management

· Build trusted relationships across HR, IT, and the business — influencing and driving change without relying on authority.

· Liaise with global and regional HR teams to align process changes and share best practice.

· Ensure all processes and documentation are GDPR-compliant, audit-ready, and kept current.

Lean Coaching & Capability Building

· Be the resident Lean coach - design and deliver practical training and workshops for HR Operations colleagues at all levels.

· Build a network of process champions who sustain improvement momentum independently.

· Coach the team through change, making new tools and ways of working feel like an opportunity, not a burden.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

· Education: Bachelor degree and fluent English is essential. Polish is an advantage.

· Experience: Experience delivering technical and system projects in HR (e.g. HRIS, RPA, workflow automation) You are comfortable translating business needs into IT requirements. Familiarity with HR systems (e.g. SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, ServiceNow) and automation tools.

· Experience: applying continuous improvement methodologies and how they are set up and embedded in organisations. Formal certification is a bonus, not a requirement.

· Technical Expertise: A track record in; project management, process improvement, operational excellence, or HR transformation — with real evidence of shifting team culture, not just running projects.

· Soft Skills: A natural communicator and coach — able to inspire, facilitate, and build trust at all levels without line authority. Solutions-focused, resilient, and comfortable creating clarity in ambiguous environments.