Sr. Manager Employee Relations

Fresenius Medical Care is a people business. Our success depends on having the best and brightest employees, and helping them attain their personal and professional goals while delivering excellence in patient care and business results. Our employees embody our culture which is based on six core values supporting our promise to improve the quality of life of every patient every day. These core values are: Patients and Partners First, Honesty and Integrity, Quality and Compliance, Collaboration, No-Limits Mindset and Results Oriented.

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

Member of the HR Shared Services team responsible for leading a team of Employee Relations Advisors in a Cluster of multiples countries. Responsible for ensuring the team’s adherence to Compliance, Legal, Human Rights, and Labor Union requirements as well as collaborative interaction with all stakeholders, meeting deliverables and all associated key performance indicator (KPI) metrics, and continuous quality improvement.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Ensures the application of HR policies and employee programs are fairly and consistently applied in accordance with Company core values and mission, Human Rights, Workplace Rights and Labor and Employment Principles, Global Social and Labor Standards Policy, Diversity & Inclusion, the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, the Suppliers Code of Conduct, and all works council and union requirements.   
• Monitors investigation outcomes for consistency, thoroughness, objectivity, and that remediation is aligned with policy, and regulatory requirements, ensuring the equitable treatment of employees.  
• Responsible for the team’s interaction, engagement, and requirements with local works council/unions and may partake in or advise on negotiations as needed.
• Works in strong partnership HR Management, Compliance, Legal, and Business Operations colleagues to provide support, connection, and collaboration on all employee related matters.
• Provides recommendations to business leaders, employees and other HR professionals on complex performance management and policy matters. May assist with or conduct high-level investigations and/or executive escalations as needed.
• Partakes in or directs the appeals process.
• In collaboration with all ER leaders, creates procedures, investigation and documentation requirements, SOPs and SLAs and implements changes as necessary to ensure client satisfaction.  Continuously assesses quality including the effective and appropriate use of the case management system and documentation requirements.
• Participates in policy review and supports the communication and implementation of policies.
• Reviews and analyzes employee relations and employee engagement data to identify opportunities with recommended remedies.
• Stays current on employment and labor practices.
• Normally receives little instruction on day-to-day work, general instructions on new assignments, and can manage multiple and conflicting priorities.
• Responsible for team management including performance, hiring, retention, staffing levels, performance appraisals, coaching and development opportunities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND REQUIRED CREDENTIALS:

• Bachelor’s Degree; Advanced Degree desirable or an equivalent combination of education and experience

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• Has 7+ years of progressive experience directly in Human Resources and demonstrates a broad understanding of European employment law, problem/resolution, investigation and documentation, and HR programs such as compensation and benefits, talent acquisition, learning and development, and HR administration.
• Wide experience in Labor Relations topics, resolving individual and collective labor conflicts/situations, participating in social dialogue, and interacting with social partners in more than 1 European country.

• Experience with works councils, unions, negotiations, and managing collective bargaining agreements.
• International experience in Labor Relations and/or Employee Relations is a must, preferably in companies with large workforces, high social conflict and unionization.
• Demonstrated ability to be an agent of change.
• Is resilient and can navigate challenging or difficult situations with the ability to hold crucial conversations. 
• Collaborates at all levels through listening, sharing, and building upon ideas, challenging others’ ideas respectfully, compromises and adapts in order to achieve common goals that are the best interests of the organization and the teams involved.
• Competence in software applications relating to human resources such as case management systems and Workday is preferred along with the suite of Microsoft Office products. 
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills - both written and verbal including English
• Can work independently and can manage multiple and competing priorities.
• Has strong business acumen in addition to Human Resources skills.
• Has an unquestionable commitment to confidentiality, integrity, and privacy.
• Healthcare experience a plus.