Why, despite growing investments in people, technology and processes, do results often lag behind?
Where is the connection between pay, engagement and real productivity getting lost?
And are organizations ready to confront this imbalance, rather than compensate for it?
In recent years, companies have changed the way they manage people – more flexibility, more investment, more focus on the employee experience. And yet, the data shows that efficiency is not growing at the same pace. It is this discrepancy between effort and result that is at the heart of the conversation about the future of HR.
NEXT LEVEL HR 2026, organized by Manager magazine, will be held on 30.04. 2026 at Inter Expo Center and will bring together leading experts and business leaders to pose these questions head-on.
The event will be opened by Hasan Ademov, Acting Minister of Labor and Social Policy.
Among the key highlights of the program is the participation of Niklas Pirdol – an internationally recognized speaker, expert in human performance and talent strategy. He has inspired over 10,000 people on four continents, has published research in the field of talent development and is the co-author of a book on motivation. His keynote lecture focuses on the connection between people development, leadership and long-term results.
The program will also feature Berna Öztinaz, President of the European Association for People Management, who will open the discussion with a keynote dedicated to the EU Directive on Pay Transparency (Directive (EU) 2023/970).
The first panel will continue with a discussion on transparency in remuneration – when it builds trust and when it reveals structural weaknesses in organizations. The conversation includes Berna Öztinaz, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shteryo Nozharov, Economist, and Plamen Makaveev, Executive Director, Manpower Bulgaria, moderated by Miroslava Markova, Human Resources Manager, VM Finance Group.
The focus on the transformation of the HR role continues in the conversation “The New Face of HR: Less Administration, More Time for People”, featuring Martin Oresharski, Director of Credential Services, BORICA AD, and Yordanka Kostova, General Manager of Human Resources, Postbank.
The topic of efficiency is delved into with the panel “Salaries Are Growing, Productivity Is Not: Why Is HR Silent on the Topic?” featuring Adrian Nikolov, Senior Economist, Institute for Market Economy, Kaloyan Petrov, Professional Coach, and Vanya Bogdanova, Manager, HR Steps.
The topic of the role of HR in people development continues with the discussion: “Energy in Synchrony: The Role of HR in People Development” with the participation of Evgeniya Nakova, Human Resources Director at Electrohold Bulgaria.
The conversation continues with an extremely interesting topic: “Micromanagement is a national sport. How does HR justify it?” In many companies, control is presented as care, and the lack of trust – as “attention to detail”. Micromanagement is not recognized as a problem, but as a standard. The discussion includes: Vladimir Borachev, professional certified and accredited coach, Rosi Kuzmanova, Director of Human Capital Management, First Investment Bank, and Diana Stefanova, Managing Partner at Brightcap Ventures, with moderator Mihail Stefanov, Culture and Talent Manager, Aurubis Bulgaria.
The technological aspect of transformation will be put in focus in the conversation “Agentic AI is the new team member” with the participation of Atanas Kiryakov, President, Graphwise.
The forum will conclude with the panel discussion “The Hard HR Truth About Engagement: Not Everyone Is Happy”, featuring Rumyana Boseva, Managing Partner, ARS Bulgaria, Neli Zapryanova, Psychologist and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Consultant, and Petar Dzhuganski, Head of Recruitment, Sofia Stars, moderated by Mihail Stefanov.
NEXT LEVEL HR 2026 does not offer ready-made answers. It asks the hard questions – about salaries, productivity, management culture and the role of HR in real business.
Last available seats! Be part of the conversation. Buy your tickets now.
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GENERAL PARTNER: ARS, Electrohold
MAIN PARTNERS: Borica; Philip Morris Bulgaria
WITH THE SUPPORT OF: Fibank; HR Steps; Manpower Bulgaria; In Your Hands; Aurubis; Graphwise; HR One; Bottega
INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS: Bulgarian Industrial Capital Assosiation (BICA); Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce; Franco-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Confindustria Bulgaria; BESCO, BASSCOM;
MEDIA PARTNERS: Bulgarian National Television; Dir.bg
