For our Legal department, we are looking for a
Senior Counsel, EMEA Employment Law (m/f/x)
R-257143
Fulltime / permanent / non-tariff
As Senior Counsel, EMEA Employment Law, you will serve as a subject matter expert, providing direct guidance to HR and business stakeholders across EMEA, with a particular focus on German and Swiss employment law. You will advise on a broad range of employment-related matters including employment agreements, works council relations, collective actions, discrimination, counseling, disciplinary actions, documentation, terminations, investigations, wage and hour compliance, compensation, and payroll while also overseeing external counsel
The Opportunity
1. One of your core responsibilities will be to manage the review and triage of employment law guidance requests to external counsel across EMEA, serving as the primary point of contact for the Global Head of Labor & Employment Law.
2. You will provide strategic legal advice on organizational change initiatives, including restructurings, transitions of external service providers, workforce planning, and digital transformation projects.
3. You will also oversee employee terminations, organizational reorganizations, and other workforce-related measures, including the social selection process, while supporting the company’s response to crisis situations such as strikes, workplace conflicts, or regulatory audits.
4. In close collaboration with Employee Relations and Industrial Relations professionals, you will lead ongoing negotiations and engagement with works councils.
5. As a subject matter expert, you will advise the HR team on the development, review, and regular updates of HR policies, work instructions, and standard operating procedures. You will also monitor employment law developments across the region and ensure timely updates to HR and Legal stakeholders.
6. In litigation matters, you will manage external counsel and, where appropriate, represent the company directly.
7. Additional responsibilities include advising on internal investigations (e.g., in response to SpeakUp hotline cases), reviewing and approving contingent worker engagements and extensions in line with company policy, and responding to legal correspondence from current or former employees.
8. Finally, you will design and deliver training sessions for HR, managers, and employees on key employment law topics, and collaborate with Legal Operations to enhance and innovate ways of working within the Legal and HR functions.
Your Skills and Experience
9. 1st and 2nd German “state exam”
10. Must be licensed to practice law, with active bar membership in Germany
11. Minimum of 8 years’ applicable legal experience with focus on German employment law required, preferably including at least 3 years as in-house counsel. Preferred candidate will also have significant experience advising on employment law in Switzerland, UK, France or other European countries
12. Qualified candidate will have significant experience in working directly with works councils; independently counseling clients (particularly HR) on universe of employment law-related matters, and litigating in and appearing before federal courts and agencies
13. Preferred candidate will have experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech or medical device industry
14. Strong negotiating and drafting skills, communication and stakeholder influencing skills, business acumen and judgment required
15. travel requirements: 10-15% including occasional international travel
Different qualifications or responsibilities may apply based on local legal and/or educational requirements.
What we offer
16. Excellent income potential and extended benefits
17. Hybrid working models
18. Extensive management/leadership programs.
19. Join our internal sports groups and mindfulness offers
20. Childcare “Kita Froschkönig” for up to 14 children (from 6 months till 3 years old)
21. 2 Wellness days per year (additional paid time off)
22. Family services such as psychological support, legal advisory, family care services and more for you and your direct family