Senior Expert Employee Relations (all genders)

About the company

At Evotec’s headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, we are seeking a highly motivated and dedicated

Your tasks

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.

Requirements

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.

What we 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.