About this role
At Evotec’s headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, we are seeking a highly motivated and dedicatedSenior Expert Employee Relations (all genders)Full-time and permanentKey
Responsibilities
- Employee Relations, Labor Law & Works Councils- Serve as Evotec’s subject matter expert for German labor law and co-determination matters, providing strategic guidance to HR, leadership and business stakeholders.- Build and maintain trusted, constructive relationships with Works Councils and employee representative bodies across Germany, acting as the key interface between HR, management and employee representatives.- Advise HR colleagues and business leaders on complex employee relations matters, including performance and conduct issues, grievances, conflict resolution, organizational change and terminations.- Lead and support negotiations with Works Councils and employee representatives, developing pragmatic solutions that balance legal requirements, employee interests and business objectives.- Ensure compliance with German labor law, co-determination requirements, collective regulations, Works Agreements and company policies, while proactively identifying and mitigating employment-related risks.- Monitor changes in legislation and case law, translating legal requirements into practical policies, processes and guidance for HR and business stakeholders.
- Global HR Programs & Change Initiatives- Partner with HR Business Partners, Centers of Excellence, Legal and business leaders to assess, localize and implement global and local HR initiatives in compliance with German labor law and co-determination obligations.- Act as the Employee Relations lead for Germany in global HR projects, defining implementation, stakeholder engagement and Works Council strategies while balancing legal compliance, business objectives and project timelines.- Provide risk-based recommendations and manage Employee Relations workstreams for organizational transformations, restructurings and other strategic people initiatives.- Monitor implemented initiatives and proactively address emerging employee relations, labor law and co-determination risks.
Required Qualifications
- University degree in Law, Human Resources, Business Administration or a related field, ideally with a focus on German individual and collective labor law.- 7-10 years of professional experience in Employee Relations, Labor Relations, Human Resources and/or Employment Law.- Extensive practical knowledge of German labor law, including the Works Constitution Act (BetrVG), co-determination rights, employment contracts, employee relations matters, terminations and organizational change.- Significant experience working with Works Councils and employee representative bodies, including independently preparing, leading and concluding negotiations.- Proven ability to manage complex employee relations matters and provide pragmatic, risk-based recommendations.- Strong stakeholder management, influencing and negotiation skills with the ability to balance legal requirements, employee interests and business needs.- Ability to translate complex legal requirements into practical HR policies, processes and business guidance.- Strong analytical, conceptual and problem-solving skills combined with a diplomatic and solution-oriented approach.- Ability to act as a trusted advisor to HR Business Partners, senior leaders and management teams.- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in German and English.
- Ideal Qualifications:- Experience in an international and/or matrix organization.- Experience within the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, technology or a similarly complex industry.- Experience working with multi-site Works Council structures, including General Works Councils (Gesamtbetriebsrat) and Group Works Councils (Konzernbetriebsrat).- Experience supporting organizational transformations, restructurings and workforce change initiatives.- Experience negotiating Works Agreements related to compensation, working time, performance management, IT systems, data protection and organizational change.- Experience localizing and implementing global HR policies and programs within the German labor law framework.- Experience collaborating with external employment law counsel, employer associations and labor courts.- Additional expertise in mediation, conflict management or negotiation.- Strong project management skills and experience leading cross-functional initiatives with senior stakeholders.
- Our Offer- A position within a vigorous and exciting professional environment promoted by an open culture and a spirit of community.- A diverse, international workforce with a dynamic working environment that fosters creativity, innovation and teamwork.- The opportunity to shape and influence Employee Relations strategy in a global organization undergoing continuous transformation and growth.- Close collaboration with international HR, Legal and business leaders across the Group.- 30 days of annual holiday, flexible working hours and an in-house canteen.- Capital-forming benefits, holiday allowance, annual bonus depending on performance and a monthly allowance for public transportation (Deutschlandticket - JobTicket Premium).- Excellent opportunities for professional and personal development within an innovative and international company.
Homeoffice: Umfang: Nach Vereinbarung