Human Resources Generalist

Moffatt & Nichol specializes in large complex waterfront infrastructure projects and is recognized as one of the worldwide leaders in this field. We are actively looking for a Human Resources Generalist to join our team in either Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. 

As part of the Human Resources Group, the Human Resources Generalist leads country Human Resources projects or initiatives requiring collaboration across departments and operating with significant independence. Assist the business in the formulation of project objectives, manpower goals, performance management, personnel policies and procedures. Applies broad knowledge independently, setting direction for own work within project goals. Does not generally lead a team. Provides support for employment, employee relations, performance management and benefits and compensation administration. This role interacts with staff at all levels and provides technical guidance and direction to the HR Specialists. This role also assists the Human Resources leadership in developing and implementing HR policies, systems/procedures and ensuring ongoing compliance with local labour laws and employment practices.

About Moffatt & Nichol: 

Moffatt & Nichol is a leading infrastructure advisor specialising in the planning and design of facilities that shape and serve our coastlines. Reflecting Moffatt & Nichol’s commitment to design innovation since 1945, Engineering News-Record (ENR) has ranked the company No. 1 design firm for Marine and Port Facilities in the United States and No. 7 internationally. 

Moffatt & Nichol's professional staff includes engineers, planners, scientists, and architects who serve our global client base from offices in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. The firm provides clients worldwide with customised service and a level of excellence that have become the firm’s hallmark in three primary practise areas—coastal, environmental, and water resources; ports and harbours; and transportation, bridges, and rail.

Duties and responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Act as the primary HR advisor for Brazil’s leadership team, supporting a more complex and maturing organisational environment
• Provide guidance on organisational design, talent planning, capability needs and change management initiatives
• Deliver insights and recommendations using HR metrics (turnover, engagement, compensation benchmarks, workforce planning data)
• Collaborate with global HR colleagues to harmonise initiatives across the Americas region
• Advise leadership on employee relations matters, ensuring decisions align with Brazilian labour standards (CLT) and internal policy
• Manage investigations, disciplinary processes, and complex employee cases with limited supervision
• Partner with local legal counsel and external consultants as needed
• Maintain strong governance around documentation, audits, and compliance
• Lead the performance management process, coaching managers on feedback delivery, development planning, and performance improvement plans
• Identify local capability gaps and partner on training programs for engineers, managers, and support functions
• Support leadership succession planning, developing depth across the Brazil organisation
• Provide local insight on compensation ranges, CLT requirements, and labour market competitiveness
• Participate in interviews for critical roles and senior hires
• Collaborate on headcount forecasting aligned with project pipelines and business growth
• Oversee local benefits programs (medical, meal/transportation allowances, incentives) and ensure alignment with market expectations
• Drive a consistent onboarding experience, ensuring seamless integration into the Brazil office culture
• Maintain HRIS accuracy and support global reporting cycles
• Champion company values, fostering a transparent, collaborative culture within the Brazil office
• Lead engagement initiatives and leverage survey results to build action plans with leadership
• Facilitate team workshops, leadership sessions, and communication forums

Other duties:

Please note this job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Master’s degree preferred
• 7+ years of progressive HR experience
• Strong understanding of Brazilian labour law (CLT), payroll fundamentals, and compliance
• Experience in a multinational, matrixed, or engineering/technical environment
• Proven track record influencing mid‑to‑senior managers 
• Ability to work independently and act as the primary on‑site HR representative
• Fluent in Portuguese and English

Preferred / Highly Advantageous

• Certified HR professional
• Experience supporting maturing leadership structures or organisation scaling.
• Exposure to global HR practices and cross‑regional collaboration (Americas, Europe, or APAC).
• Intermediate or advanced Spanish
• All new hires will be required to successfully complete and pass a pre-employment (post offer) background check in compliance with NIST 800-171

Working conditions: 

Sedentary for prolonged period of time, interact with clients, and travel occasionally. 

Moffatt & Nichol’s EEO Statement:

As a global business, Moffatt & Nichol relies on diversity of culture and thought to deliver on our goal of Creative People, Practical Solutions® serving our client needs, and ensures nondiscrimination in all activities. We draw from the world’s best and brightest, regardless of geographic, cultural, or institutional background. This approach enables us to better understand and serve our clients, foster innovation, and create a rich, collaborative work environment. Moffatt & Nichol is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity / Federal Contractor desiring priority referrals of all protected veterans for job openings.