Employee Relations Specialist

Kleinanzeigen is the leading online classifieds market in Germany. An average of more than 50 million ads are available in numerous categories - from children's supplies to electronics to real estate. With more than 36 million users per month, Kleinanzeigen has the widest reach of all online selling platforms in the country. Most of the items traded on Kleinanzeigen are second-hand. In this way, users make an active contribution to sustainability. The Kleinanzeigen market allows companies the opportunity to easily offer their services online. Kleinanzeigen was launched in September 2009 as eBay Kleinanzeigen. Since June 2021, the company has been part of Adevinta, a leading global provider of online classified ads. In May 2023, the name was changed to Kleinanzeigen.

Kleinanzeigen is part of Adevinta: a global online classifieds specialist and sustainability leader with 25+ products in 10 countries.

What you’ll do & Who you are

The Employee Relations Specialist (hybrid) is responsible for nurturing a positive, cooperative, and legally compliant relationship among employees, management, and the newly established Works Council. The role focuses on negotiating and implementing company-wide agreements, driving projects that require Works Council involvement, and leading employee relations training to ensure all stakeholders are aligned with organizational goals and labor law requirements.

This is a fix term contract for 2 years.

What you’ll do

Managing and Fostering Relationships:

- Cultivate and maintain positive relationships between employees, management, and the Works Council, with an emphasis on open communication and mutual understanding.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to both management and the Works Council, helping to address and resolve concerns that arise, ensuring a productive working environment.

Primary Liaison to the Works Council:

- Act as the primary contact point between the organization and the Works Council, facilitating regular communication and ensuring that organizational interests and employee needs are understood and respected.
- Assist in mediating discussions between management and the Works Council, fostering a constructive and cooperative atmosphere during the Council’s formative period.

Developing, Negotiating, and Implementing Agreements:

- Lead the creation and negotiation of company agreements in collaboration with the Works Council, ensuring compliance with both internal policies and external labor laws.
- Oversee the implementation of these agreements, coordinating with relevant departments to ensure that policies are applied consistently across the organization.

Labor Law Compliance:

- Ensure that all agreements, policies, and practices adhere to German labor laws and Works Council regulations, identifying and addressing any compliance gaps.
- Stay updated on relevant changes to labor legislation and incorporate necessary updates to existing agreements or policies to maintain compliance.

Project Rollout and Transformation Support:

- Support key organizational projects requiring Works Council approval, especially during the critical initial stages of the Council's formation.
- Drive the implementation of foundational agreements and policies, ensuring they align with company objectives while meeting legal requirements and employee interests.

Training for Stakeholders:

- Provide training and guidance to stakeholders, including managers and HR, on employee relations matters, ensuring they understand the processes, regulations, and responsibilities related to Works Council interactions.
- Develop materials and resources to support effective, ongoing stakeholder training on employee relations issues.

Navigating Complex Negotiations:

- Facilitate complex negotiations between the Works Council and management, ensuring that both sides have a clear understanding of each other’s positions and working toward balanced, workable agreements.
- Address challenges and roadblocks in a diplomatic and solutions-oriented manner to drive successful project rollouts and policy adoptions.

Who you are

Language Skills:

- Fluency in German and English (both spoken and written) is essential to manage communications, negotiations, and documentation effectively in a bilingual setting.

Education:

- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience:

- Minimum of 5 years in employee relations or labor relations, ideally within a multinational environment.
- Experience working with Works Councils or similar bodies, particularly within the framework of German labor law.

Labor Law Knowledge:

- Solid understanding of German labor laws, especially Works Council-related regulations, with the ability to ensure compliance across all policies and agreements.

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Skills:

- Demonstrated experience in managing complex negotiations and resolving conflicts, with a focus on balancing organizatio