Director, Workforce Transformation

Location:

Garching - Bavaria, Germany - Parking 1-5 Business Campus

Additional Location:

Boblingen - Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, Budapest - Budapest, Hungary, Karlsbad - Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, Szekesfehervar - Fejer, Hungary - Holland

Job Family:

Human Resources

Worker Type Reference:

Regular - Permanent

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Career Level:

M4

Job ID:

R

About the Role

As a strategic leader within the People Experience team and leader of the Workforce Transformation Center of Excellence (COE), the Director of Workforce Transformation architects and executes enterprise-wide workforce transformation initiatives that harness the power of digital innovation, AI, and advanced analytics. This role partners with senior leadership, Centers of Excellence (COE), and People Enablement to align people strategies with business objectives, drive operational excellence, and deliver measurable outcomes across global teams. Leveraging cutting-edge technology and data-driven insights, the Director champions a culture of inclusion, agility, and continuous improvement, enabling sustainable growth and a high-performing, future-ready workforce. By integrating digital platforms and experimental approaches, this leader translates business objectives into actionable workforce plans and HR initiatives, positioning the organization at the forefront of transformation and organizational resilience in a rapidly evolving, tech-enabled landscape.

What You Will Do

Strategic Leadership & Transformation

• Architect and lead the workforce transformation strategy, connecting enterprise vision with execution harnessing the power of AI, digital platforms, and advanced analytics to drive measurable business outcomes and operational excellence across global teams.
• Design and implement innovative HR strategies that support organizational effectiveness, employee experience, and a culture of inclusion, agility, and continuous improvement, leveraging technology to enable scalable impact.
• Drive and collaborate with HR Centers of Excellence to ensure strategic alignment and execution across talent acquisition, performance management, learning & development, and DEI.
• Lead cross-functional transformation programs, including operating model design, organizational restructures, mergers & acquisitions, and location strategy.
• Champion a future-ready workforce by integrating digital platforms, experimental approaches, and AI-driven solutions into all transformation initiatives.
• Oversee strategic program planning, portfolio delivery management, and strategic critical path development to meet business milestones.

Talent Intelligence

• Monitor external labor market trends, benchmarking, and competitive intelligence, using AI-powered tools and data-driven insights to inform strategic recommendations to executive leadership and the board.

Workforce Planning & Optimization

• Develop and execute comprehensive long-term workforce planning strategies, aligned with business strategy, market trends, and future skills needs, utilizing predictive analytics, AI-powered modeling, and digital workforce platforms.
• Lead organizational design, and partner with talent acquisition, and succession planning teams to ensure the right people are in the right roles at the right time, partnering with Senior leadership within the divisions, People Analytics, Finance, and Operations to align headcount planning with budget and growth targets, leveraging technology for data-driven decisions.
• Monitor and report on key workforce and transformation metrics, ensuring transparency and data-driven decision-making through advanced analytics dashboards and digital reporting tools.

Organizational Design & Change Management

• Lead organizational design initiatives to optimize structure, roles, and capabilities, integrating digital platforms and AI-driven insights to support scalable change.
• Lead structured change management initiatives to support adoption of new operating models.
• Build readiness and enablement plans to sustain transformation outcomes post-implementation.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on workforce strategy, talent risks, and organizational health, influencing decision-making and driving alignment across HR, Operations, Finance, and Technology.
• Foster strong relationships with internal and external partners to ensure integrated delivery of strategic initiatives.
• Communicate progress, insights, and recommendations to executive stakeholders through compelling presentations and executive-level updates.
• Partner with People Business Partners to cascade strategy and ensure local execution.

Culture & Inclusion

• Champion an inclusive, high-performance culture that attracts, engages, and retains top talent, integrating digital platforms, AI-driven insights, and experimental approaches to position the organization at the forefront of transformation in a rapidly evolving, tech-enabled landscape.

What You Need

• 10+ years of progressive experience in Workforce Strategy or HR transformation, workforce planning, transformation leadership, or management consulting.
• Proven success in leading strategic planning, organizational design, and data-driven HR initiatives.
• Proven success leading cross-functional, enterprise-wide transformation programs in global or matrixed organizations.
• Strong analytical, facilitation, and executive communication skills; adept at financial modeling, business case development, and data-driven decision-making.
• Experience with program governance, change management, and value realization frameworks.
• Strong business acumen and ability to influence at the executive level.
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree (MBA or related field) preferred.

What is Nice to Have

• Strategic thinker with operational rigor, able to connect workforce transformation initiatives to business outcomes and drive measurable impact.
• Skilled in cross-functional collaboration and influence, partnering effectively across HR, Operations, Finance, Technology, and executive leadership.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving enterprise-wide change in dynamic, global environments.
• Experience in global or matrixed organizations, with a global mindset and cultural fluency.
• Familiarity with agile methodologies, workforce analytics reporting and tools, HRIS systems (Workday preferred), and strategic planning frameworks.
• Strong analytical, facilitation, and executive communication skills; adept at financial modeling, business case development, and data-driven decision-making.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional, enterprise-wide transformation programs, including operating model design, organizational restructures, mergers & acquisitions, and location strategy.
• Innovative and experimental approach to workforce strategy, with a commitment to continuous improvement and value realization
• Passionate about inclusive leadership, coaching, and developing high-potential talent.
• Strong business acumen and ability to influence at the executive level.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Leadership & Vision: Sets and executes forward-thinking strategies that align talent and workforce initiatives with business objectives
• HR Strategy and Workforce Planning & Analytics: Demonstrates expertise in planning, analytics, and execution across the talent lifecycle, including acquisition, onboarding, and ongoing management
• Transformation Excellence: Leads and delivers enterprise-wide transformation programs, driving measurable impact and continuous improvement
• Change Agility: Navigates ambiguity, leads change management initiatives, and enables organizational agility in dynamic environments
• Operational Discipline: Maintains operational rigor, program governance, and delivery management to achieve business milestones
• Executive Communication & Presence: Communicates with influence and clarity to engage executive stakeholders and diverse audiences
• Collaboration & Influence: Builds deep relationships and partners effectively across HR, business units, and global teams
• Global Mindset & Cultural Fluency: Operates effectively in global or matrixed organizations, with sensitivity to diverse cultures and markets
• Tech Fluency & Digital Enablement: Leverages digital platforms, HRIS systems, analytics tools, and agile methodologies to drive innovation and enablement
• Inclusive Leadership & Coaching: Fosters an inclusive, high-performance culture and develops high-potential talent through coaching and mentorship
• Innovation & Experimentation: Experiments, innovates, and continuously improves talent and workforce strategies

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to travel up to 10%, domestic and international travel.

What We Offer

• HARMAN offers a diverse and inclusive work environment that fosters and encourages career development opportunities, professional training and competitive market base compensation
• You will also receive top-notch employee discounts on Harman's Consumer Audio (JBL, AKG, HARMAN Kardon) and Samsung products
• Flexible work schedule with a culture encouraging work life integration and collaboration in a global friendly working atmosphere and good work-life-balance
• Attractive salary package
• Professional development opportunities through HARMAN University's business and leadership academies which also includes extensive technical trainings
• Internal talent management leadership acceleration programs
• "Be Brilliant" employee recognition and rewards program

You Belong Here

HARMAN is committed to making every employee feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. No matter what role you play, we encourage you to share your ideas, voice your distinct perspective, and bring your whole self with you – all within a support-minded culture that celebrates what makes each of us unique. We also recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and want you to flourish. We proudly offer added opportunities for training, development, and continuing education, further empowering you to live the career you want.

About HARMAN: Where Innovation Unleashes Next-Level Technology

Ever since the 1920s, we've been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected.

Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today's most sought-after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world's ever-evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award-winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners and each other.

If you're ready to innovate and do work that makes a lasting impact, join our talent community today

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HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. HARMAN strives to hire the best qualified candidates and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse marketplaces and communities of our global colleagues and customers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.HARMAN attracts, hires, and develops employees based on merit, qualifications and job-related )