Liam Nelissen - Head of HR Operations

Q: Where is Liam based?

Liam is based in Munich, Germany .

Q: What languages does Liam speak?

Liam speaks the following languages: Dutch (Native), German (Advanced), English (Advanced), French (Advanced) .

Q: How many years of experience does Liam have?

Liam has at least 31 years of experience. During this time, Liam has worked in at least 5 different roles and for 4 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 6 years and 3 months . Note that Liam may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Liam's latest experience?

Liam's most recent position is Head of HR Operations at IFCO .

Q: What companies has Liam worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Liam has worked for IFCO and Medtronic .

Q: Which industries is Liam most experienced in?

Liam is most experienced in industries like Government and Public Administration , Healthcare , and Transportation and Logistics . Liam also has some experience in Manufacturing and Retail .

Q: Which business areas is Liam most experienced in?

Liam is most experienced in business areas like Human Resources (HR) , Operations , and Procurement and Purchasing . Liam also has some experience in Sales .

Q: Which industries has Liam worked in recently?

Liam has recently worked in industries like Healthcare , Transportation and Logistics , and Manufacturing .

Q: Which business areas has Liam worked in recently?

Liam has recently worked in business areas like Human Resources (HR) , Operations , and Procurement and Purchasing .

Recommended expert

Munich, Germany

Experience

Jul 2024 - Present

1 year 8 months

Munich, Germany

Head of HR Operations

IFCO

Lead the global HR Operations function, shaping strategic direction for HR service delivery and people technology across all regions.
Partner with senior HR leadership to establish scalable HR service models, ensuring alignment between technology (HRIS, case management, portal systems) and business needs.
Oversee delivery excellence across Tier 1–2 support and field HR, ensuring value creation and alignment with strategic business objectives.
Drive organizational efficiency through automation, digitalization, and process optimization, achieving measurable improvements in service levels and cost effectiveness.
Champion the development of the employee experience through an integrated HR knowledge base, clear communication standards, and manager enablement tools.
Lead procurement and vendor management for global HR processes including background checks, assessment tools, and compensation systems.
Foster a continuous improvement mindset with an emphasis on data insights, compliance, and operational excellence.

Jul 2021 - Jul 2024

3 years 1 month

Galway, Ireland

Senior HR Shared Services Manager EMEA

Medtronic

Directed a team of 35 HR professionals across 29 countries, driving operational excellence, employee engagement, and standardization across EMEA.
Partnered with global COEs and HRBPs to align people operations with organizational transformation and growth priorities.
Led workforce planning and process optimization initiatives, resulting in improved efficiency, reduced turnaround times, and enhanced employee experience.
Developed frameworks for talent development, career growth, and leadership continuity within shared services.
Navigated complex labor law environments, successfully managing union and works council relationships to ensure compliance and collaboration.
Member of the Global HR Services Leadership Team, contributing to strategy development and global people initiatives.

Jul 2018 - Jul 2021

3 years 1 month

Galway, Ireland

HR Shared Services Manager, Business Operations EMEA

Medtronic

Managed operational delivery for EMEA HR services, implementing best-in-class processes and service standards.
Introduced continuous improvement methodologies and data-driven decision-making to elevate performance and consistency across regions.
Provided strategic leadership on organizational design, policy development, and employee lifecycle processes.
Mentored managers and supervisors, fostering high-performing teams and promoting professional growth.

Mar 2017 - Jul 2018

1 year 5 months

Dublin, Ireland

Sales Operations Manager

Lidl Ireland

Oversaw sales operations and workforce planning across multiple retail sites, optimizing staffing, productivity, and profitability.
Recruited and developed talent to strengthen succession pipelines and team engagement.

Sep 1994 - Feb 2017

22 years 6 months

Brussels, Belgium

Police Commissioner

Federal Police Belgium

Led investigative teams and public order units; strategic partner to leadership on workforce management and organizational planning.
Designed and delivered leadership and operational training programs for new officers.

Industries Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time. Longer bars indicate deeper hands-on experience, while shorter ones reflect targeted or project-based work.

Experienced in Government and Administration (22.5 years), Healthcare (6 years), Transportation (1.5 years), Manufacturing (1.5 years), and Retail (1.5 years).

Government and Administration

Healthcare

Transportation

Manufacturing

Retail

Business Areas Experience

The graph below provides a cumulative view of the freelancer's experience across multiple business areas, calculated from completed and active engagements. It highlights the areas where the freelancer has most frequently contributed to planning, execution, and delivery of business outcomes.

Experienced in Human Resources (31.5 years), Operations (28.5 years), Procurement (1.5 years), and Sales (1.5 years).

Human Resources

Operations

Procurement

Sales

Summary

Dynamic and commercially minded People Leader with extensive experience building and leading high-performing HR operations across global, fast-paced organizations. Skilled in translating business strategy into actionable people initiatives that drive engagement, performance, and growth. Adept at designing scalable organizational structures, fostering inclusive cultures, and driving continuous improvement through data-driven insights. Known for strategic influence, cross-cultural collaboration, and a passion for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Currently leading global HR Operations with a focus on enabling business agility through digital transformation, operational excellence, and employee experience.

Skills

People Strategy & Transformation
Organizational Design & Workforce Planning
Leadership & Talent Development
Performance & Reward Frameworks
Hr Operations & Shared Services Leadership
Continuous Improvement & Change Management
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Global Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding
Data-driven Decision Making
Employee Experience & Engagement
Workday
Servicenow
Excel
Ms Office Suite
Hris & Case Management Systems

Languages

Dutch

Native

German

Advanced

English

Advanced

French

Advanced

Education

Oct 2020 - Jun 2022

National University of Ireland, Galway

Executive MBA, Thesis: HR Business Operations Strategy Analysis for the EMEA Region · Business Administration · Galway, Ireland

Oct 2013 - Jun 2014

Syntra Vlaanderen

Degree in Accounting · Accounting · Belgium

Oct 1998 - Jun 1999

Antwerp Police Academy

Degree in Police Management · Police Management · Antwerp, Belgium

Certifications & licenses

Hotel Management Certificate

Hotelschool Hasselt

Profile

Created

November 2025

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Liam based?

Liam is based in Munich, Germany.

What languages does Liam speak?

Liam speaks the following languages: Dutch (Native), German (Advanced), English (Advanced), French (Advanced).

How many years of experience does Liam have?

Liam has at least 31 years of experience. During this time, Liam has worked in at least 5 different roles and for 4 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 6 years and 3 months. Note that Liam may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Liam be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Liam would be well-suited for roles such as: Head of HR Operations, Senior HR Shared Services Manager EMEA, HR Shared Services Manager, Business Operations EMEA.

What is Liam's latest experience?

Liam's most recent position is Head of HR Operations at IFCO.

What companies has Liam worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Liam has worked for IFCO and Medtronic.

Which industries is Liam most experienced in?

Liam is most experienced in industries like Government and Public Administration, Healthcare, and Transportation and Logistics. Liam also has some experience in Manufacturing and Retail.

Which business areas is Liam most experienced in?

Liam is most experienced in business areas like Human Resources (HR), Operations, and Procurement and Purchasing. Liam also has some experience in Sales.

Which industries has Liam worked in recently?

Liam has recently worked in industries like Healthcare, Transportation and Logistics, and Manufacturing.

Which business areas has Liam worked in recently?

Liam has recently worked in business areas like Human Resources (HR), Operations, and Procurement and Purchasing.

What is Liam's education?

Liam holds a Master in Business Administration from National University of Ireland, Galway and a Bachelor in Accounting from Syntra Vlaanderen.

Does Liam have any certificates?

Liam has 1 certificate: Hotel Management Certificate.

What is the availability of Liam?

Liam is immediately available for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Liam?

Liam's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.