Senior Labor and Employee Relations Partner ( m/f/d)

Job Summary

Location:    Germany or Ireland or UK

NetApp's Human Resources department is looking for an experienced labor relations specialist passionate about building and maintaining positive relationships with internal / external stakeholders, labor unions, works councils, government agencies, and industry associations across EMEA, and specifically in Germany.  

In this role, you will lead strategic plans for labor relations that align with NetApp’s objectives, foster constructive dialogue and collaboration, and adhere to ever-changing compliance regulations.

The ideal candidate will also possess employee relations investigation experience with EMEA region employment law knowledge, understand case management and data utilization best practices, successfully resolve employee relations conflicts with limited supervision, and be able flex into other HR projects, training, and duties as needed. 

Key Responsibilities

Labor Relations and Conflict Resolution 

• Lead the strategic vision and tactical implementation of designing and developing in-country labor relations strategies with employee representative bodies such as unions and works councils, specifically in Germany, France, and the Netherlands. 
• Write clear and detailed technical documentation that is legally compliant for labor relations assignments, policies, and procedures, balancing compliance requirements that cultivate fairness and transparency with process improvements that streamline efficiency and leverage technology and automation where possible, partnering with both Legal and the business to achieve those goals. 
• Effectively negotiate and implement collective agreements around policy and procedure changes, reductions in force, terminations, and other HR and business matters, leveraging labor law knowledge across countries for insights. 
• Exercise strong professional judgment, emotional intelligence, collaborative communication, and relationship-building with external stakeholders and cross-functional partners in HR, the business, and especially Legal to ensure compliance with all labor laws and regulations. 
• Evaluate and utilize metrics that look towards broader organizational health improvements, continuously improve labor relations processes, and proactively spot labor relations issues to help reduce and avoid litigation. 
• Practical experience leading conflict resolution, collaborative problem-solving, mediations, and arbitrations to resolve workplace conflict and grievance procedures effectively between employees, managers, government agencies, and labor organizations. 
• Have a can-do philosophy and a pragmatic approach when it comes to employee relations management 

Employee Relations Investigations, Case Management, and Other Strategic HR Work 

• Manage employee relations related investigations end-to-end, in partnership with Legal and HRBPs, including allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, bullying, misconduct, bias, and other inappropriate behavior across NetApp locations within the EMEA region. 
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of, and dedicated adherence to, investigations consistency, confidentiality, neutrality, and other employment law, workplace investigations, and grievance resolution best practices. 
• Effectively resolve conflict, communicate findings, and present trends to cross-functional HR partners, Legal, and business leaders while maintaining EMEA case management compliance initiatives in Navex EthicsPoint. 
• Consult and execute on best practices in compliance and manager development trainings, performance management/performance improvement plans, corrective action plans, RIFs, and other separation issues when possible. 
• Work collaboratively with HRBPs to mitigate and resolve employee relations issues and ensure transparency and alignment on execution. 
• Employee Relations Investigations, Case Management, and Other Strategic HR Work 

Job Requirements

• Extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of collective labor laws, practices, and regulations in EMEA, specifically Germany, with a proven track record of successful execution in setting up, and negotiating with, unions and works councils. 
• Experience independently conducting, documenting, and presenting thorough and fair investigations that will withstand legal scrutiny and promote consistency across multiple jurisdictions. 
• Advanced communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills with ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders and build strong, collaborative relationships both internally and externally. 
• Proven ability to work independently, drive change, and exercise sound judgment around key issues and identifying legal and compliance risk. 
• Strong problem-solving, strategic thinking, and organizational skills with great attention to detail, a growth mindset, and ability to adapt in rapidly changing environment.   
• Learning and development, performance management, corrective action/grievance resolution, and HR project management experience highly valued. 

Education

• 12 years relevant experience required 
• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in HR, Business Administration, Labor Relations and/or Law preferred 
• Compliance training, certifications, and other industry associations helpful 

#LI-DNI