Senior Labour Relations Manager - Germany and Austria

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ServiceNow is seeking a Senior Labour Relations Manager to lead our Works Council and employee representation engagement across Germany and Austria. This is a newly created role that sits within our EMEA People organisation, requiring expertise in complex labour regulation, stakeholder management, and a commitment to protecting both employee voice and business continuity.  You will report directly to the VP of HR EMEA and will be the primary point of contact for Works Council and statutory employee representation relationships in Germany and Austria. Based in Munich. Key Responsibilities  Relationship Management & Strategic Partnership  Build and maintain trusted relationships with Works Council representatives, employee delegates, Trade Unions and other external bodies 

Serve as the primary liaison between ServiceNow leadership and the Works Council(s), ensuring clear and consistent communication 

In partnership with the Senior Employee & Labour Relations Manager, develop and execute proactive engagement strategies that balance business needs with employee representation 

Support stakeholder alignment across HR, Legal, Communications, and business leadership both within EMEA and Globally on labour relations matters 

Statutory Compliance & Consultation  Ensure compliance with labour law and Works Council requirements across Germany and Austria 

Negotiate Works Council agreements and employment-related initiatives that align with enterprise strategic objectives and employee interests 

Lead and manage formal consultation processes and collective engagement initiatives, including the negotiation of collective agreements and works council agreements in applicable jurisdictions 

Partner with Legal to assess employment law impacts and mitigate legal risk in labour relations matters 

Organisational Change & Restructuring  Lead Works Council engagement and formal consultation on significant organisational changes, restructurings, and workforce decisions 

Develop communication strategies and consultation plans that are legally compliant and respectful of employee voice 

Provide labour relations counsel to HRBPs and business leaders navigating complex people decisions across Germany and Austria. 

Policy & Process Development  In partnership with the Senior Employee & Labour Relations Manager, develop and maintain labour relations policies, processes, and frameworks aligned with applicable legal requirements 

Conduct regular legal and regulatory landscape analysis to anticipate changes affecting our operations 

Provide guidance on employee relations best practice and escalation protocols 

Continuously improve processes and drive consistency in our approach to social dialogue and employee representation 

Provide training and support to managers and other stakeholders on labor relations policies, procedures, and practices to ensure consistency and compliance across the organization 

Support the implementation of new or updated people programs, policies, and practices 

Required Qualifications & Experience  Experience in leveraging or critically thinking about how to integrate AI into work processes, decision-making, or problem-solving. This may include using AI-powered tools, automating workflows, analyzing AI-driven insights, or exploring AI's potential impact on the function or industry.

7+ years of progressive labour relations, employee relations, or HR experience 

Deep expertise in Works Council laws and practice in Germany and Austria 

Demonstrated experience leading large-scale organisational change and restructuring consultation processes 

Strong understanding of collective bargaining, statutory consultation, and German (and Austrian) employment law 

Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills, with ability to build trust across contentious issues 

Fluency in English and German is essential; additional European languages are an advantage 

Track record of advising senior leadership and HRBPs through complex labour relations challenges 

Desirable Qualifications  Law degree or postgraduate qualification in labour law or human resources 

Experience in multinational or matrix organisations with complex governance 

Experience in technology or high-growth companies with USA headquarters 

Certification in labour relations or HR (CIPD, SHRM equivalent) 

Core Competencies  Strategic Thinking and Business Acumen: Ability to connect labour relations strategy to broader business objectives 

Judgment & Decision Making: Ability to navigate ambiguity and make sound decisions under pressure 

Relationship Management: Genuine interest in understanding different perspectives and building credible partnerships 

Communication: Clear, direct communication with ability to translate complex issues for different audiences 

Resilience & Care: Commitment to balancing business outcomes with genuine care for people affected by organisational decisions 

Team Player: Ability to build strong relationships across HR and the business to be able to influence and advise and drive to the right outcomes 

Reporting Line & Collaboration  This role reports directly to the VP of HR EMEA and will work closely with:  EMEA HR and Global HR Business Partners 

Senior Employee & Labour Relations Manager 

Senior Labour Relations Manager, France & Netherlands (peer role) 

Employment Legal 

Communications on stakeholder messaging 

Business leadership 

Work Personas We approach our distributed world of work with flexibility and trust. Work personas (flexible, remote, or required in office) are categories that are assigned to ServiceNow employees depending on the nature of their work and their assigned work location. Learn more here . To determine eligibility for a work persona, ServiceNow may confirm the distance between your primary residence and the closest ServiceNow office using a third-party service. Equal Opportunity Employer ServiceNow is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity,  veteran status, or any other category protected by law. In addition, all qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with legal requirements.   Accommodations We strive to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are unable to use this online application and need an alternative method to apply, please contact globaltalentss@servicenow.com for assistance.  Export Control Regulations For positions requiring access to controlled technology subject to export control regulations, including the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), ServiceNow may be required to obtain export control approval from government authorities for certain individuals. All employment is contingent upon ServiceNow obtaining any export license or other approval that may be required by relevant export control authorities.  From Fortune. ©2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license.