McDermott International

Principal Human Resources Generalist

McDermott International • $110K — $130K *
Business Services
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent relevant experience
  • 8+ years in HR generalist or operational HR roles, ideally in project-based or EPC environments
  • Strong knowledge of HR policies and employee lifecycle processes
  • Proven ability to work independently in fast-paced, on-site settings
  • Experience managing complex, high-volume HR operations
  • Strong judgment and problem-solving skills within policy frameworks
  • Ability to build effective relationships with project leadership and employees

Responsibilities

  • Own operational execution of performance management processes for project employees
  • Execute Inclusion & Belonging initiatives at the project site
  • Support project hiring activities and onboarding coordination
  • Independently manage employee relations cases and advise on HR policies
  • Administer compensation and benefits transactions for project employees
  • Coordinate project-based mobility activities and ensure compliance
  • Produce and validate HR reports related to project workforce metrics
  • Support administration of training and certification requirements for project employees
  • Execute employee recognition programs at the project site
  • Maintain workforce data accuracy to support staffing and forecasting

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and training
  • Access to employee recognition programs
  • Support for career advancement within the organization
  • Engagement in Inclusion & Belonging initiatives
  • Collaboration with experienced HR professionals and leadership
Full Job Description
Job Description

Job Overview:

The Principal HR Generalist delivers end-to-end HR operational support for a project workforce, including onboarding, performance management administration, employee relations support, total rewards administration, employee mobility coordination, reporting, and offboarding activities. This role independently manages complex, high-volume, and time-sensitive HR operations typical of project environments, ensures compliance with company policies and local requirements, and maintains accurate HR data and documentation. The Principal HR Generalist acts as the senior operational authority on-site, escalating strategic or policy-setting matters while owning execution and resolution at the project level.

Responsibilities

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:
  • Performance Management & Talent Reviews
    • Own operational execution of performance management processes for project-based employees
    • Ensure project-specific timelines, system readiness, and data accuracy
    • Support and facilitate calibration and talent review sessions
    • Resolve complex performance process issues within established policy
    • Serve as the on-site escalation point for performance management administration
  • Inclusion & Belonging
    • Execute Inclusion & Belonging initiatives at the project site
    • Ensure participation tracking and compliance with global programs
    • Support site-specific communications and activities aligned to enterprise standards
  • Talent Acquisition
    • Support project hiring activities, including onboarding readiness and workforce ramp-up coordination
    • Partner with Talent Acquisition and HR Business Partners to ensure smooth execution of hiring plans
    • Resolve onboarding and mobilization issues impacting project schedules
  • Employee Relations
    • Independently manage employee relations cases at the project site within established policy
    • Advise managers and employees on HR policies and procedures
    • Conduct fact-finding and documentation for employee relations matters
    • Identify employee relations trends and escalate risks impacting the project workforce
  • Total Rewards
    • Administer compensation and benefits transactions for project employees within defined frameworks
    • Resolve complex benefits, pay, and allowance inquiries related to project assignments
    • Support operational execution of annual compensation and benefits initiatives for project populations
    • Coordinate with Total Rewards COE on exceptions and data issues
  • Employee Mobility
    • Coordinate project-based mobility activities, including relocation, travel, and assignment documentation
    • Serve as the primary on-site HR contact for mobility-related inquiries
    • Ensure compliance with mobility, immigration, and assignment processes in coordination with the COE
  • Talent Analytics
    • Produce and validate HR reports related to project workforce metrics
    • Ensure accuracy of job, position, and employee data for project reporting
    • Provide workforce data and insights to support project staffing and compliance needs
    • Identify data quality issues and drive resolution
  • Training & Career Development
    • Support administration of training and certification requirements for project employees
    • Monitor completion of mandatory and project-specific training
    • Coordinate with Learning and Development COE on site-based training needs
  • Recognition
    • Execute employee recognition programs at the project site
    • Support managers with recognition processes and documentation
    • Ensure timely processing and accurate recordkeeping
  • Strategic Workforce Planning & National Content
    • Maintain workforce data accuracy to support project staffing and forecasting.
    • Coordinate National Content requirements, documentation, and reporting where applicable
    • Identify gaps or risks impacting workforce availability and escalate appropriately
  • Other Responsibilities
    • Serve as the senior HR operational presence at the project site
    • Provide guidance and informal mentoring to HR Generalists and Associates assigned to the project
    • Coordinate closely with HR Business Partners to ensure alignment between project execution and enterprise standards
    • Partner with COEs to ensure global programs are executed effectively in a project environment
    • Lead operational problem-solving to address workforce issues impacting project delivery
    • Ensure compliance with HR systems, data governance, audit, and local requirements
    • Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned


Qualifications

Essential Qualifications and Education:
• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent relevant experience.
• 8+ years of experience in HR generalist or operational HR roles, preferably in a project-based or EPC environment.
• Strong working knowledge of HR policies, employee lifecycle processes, and HR systems.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently in fast-paced, on-site environments.
• Experience managing complex, high-volume HR operations.
• Strong judgment and problem-solving skills within established policy frameworks.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with project leadership and employees.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive matters with discretion.

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About McDermott International

McDermott International, Inc. is a premier, fully integrated provider of technology, engineering and construction solutions to the energy industry. For more than a century, customers have trusted McDermott to design and build end-to-end infrastructure and technology solutions?from the wellhead to the storage tank?to transport and transform oil and gas into the products the world needs today. Our proprietary technologies, integrated expertise and comprehensive solutions deliver certainty, innovation and added value to energy projects around the world. Customers rely on McDermott to deliver certainty to the most complex projects, from concept to commissioning. Learn more at www.mcdermott.com.
Learn more about McDermott International
Size
100 employees
Industry
NASDAQ

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