Written by: Anna van de Vrede, HX professional at Rvdb

In this business case, you’ll learn how Anne-Marie Meulink , as an interim HR Specialist at UniQure Biopharma has brought order to the chaos by taking on various projects. With my hands-on approach, perseverance, the courage to ask questions, and my keen eye for opportunities for improvement—that’shave helped ensured that UniQure now has valuable and well-structured processes. As the icing on the cake, we were able to I along with my Dutch team to our American colleagues in Boston.

The Challenge

UniQure Biopharma is a company with a unique mission: to develop medications for people with genetic disorders. One of its largest projects focuses on Huntington’s disease, for which years of data have been collected in preparation for a market launch in the United States.

Just before I joined in 2024, the organization had undergone two reorganizations. After a period of downsizing, the company was once again poised for growth, with the ambition to expand internationally. The idea was that I would join the HR team as an additional resource. That plan changed quickly: the HR specialist who was supposed to train me left just before I started. I became a replacement rather than an addition.

The HR team that was still there—an HR generalist, a business partner, and a new HR director—was swamped with work. The administrative processes were not in order, systems were maintained manually, and for years, little attention had been paid to structuring the organization. I stepped into the chaos without a clear set of responsibilities. My role became clear as I went along: to bring order where it was lacking, while also helping to determine what the organization needed to grow.

Role and Approach

To be honest, the beginning was a bit chaotic. The reason I joined was to lend a hand with projects and to lay the groundwork for UniQure’s planned international expansion. In the end, my role turned out to be different than expected. That took some adjusting. But I thought: just roll up my sleeves and get to work. I took on whatever needed to be done.

I’ve had many conversations with colleagues to understand what was needed to keep everything running as smoothly as possible—or even to make improvements. The communication training from Rvdb helped with this. Through this training, I learned how to have a difficult conversation with people who are different from what I was used to.

HX in Practice – A People-Centered Approach

The communication training offered by Rvdb helped me with this. Through this training, I learned how to have a difficult conversation with someone who is different from what I was used to.

That came in handy during the absenteeism meetings. Managers who aren’t based in the Netherlands don’t automatically understand Dutch laws and regulations. I facilitated those meetings, explaining what the rules are and how to deal with them. That required patience and clarity, but also genuine attention to the people involved.

The onboarding process was also centered on people. The process wasn’t the same at every location, so I worked with my American colleagues to develop a single process that applies to everyone, ensuring that new employees have the same experience no matter where they join the company.

At UniQure, I really felt like I was part of the team. Not only did my coworkers welcome me, but I also did my best to become part of the team.

Results Achieved

For this project, I accomplished the following:

• Implementation of a new, fully functional HR system (Hi Bob)
• Revised and Consistent HR Policies
• A Streamlined Pension Policy
• An absenteeism policy with clear guidance for managers working abroad
• A single onboarding process for all locations: the Netherlands, Basel, and the United States
• An invitation to travel with my American colleagues in Boston, made possible in part by the support of my manager, Ronald, at the CHRO

Insights and Impact

What I’m taking away from this assignment is perhaps the most personal. I was grateful to have been able to go to Boston, but I also learned that I had played a part in making that happen myself. Not through luck, but by being passionate, committed, and productive. That really boosts your self-confidence. Not because someone gives it to you, but because you experience it yourself. You throw yourself into something wholeheartedly, even when things aren’t clear, even when you don’t know exactly what your role is. And then you see what that brings—not just for the organization, but for yourself as well. That’s something I’ll take with me to every assignment from now on.