Senior Labour Relations Manager - Germany and Austria

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ServiceNow is seeking a Senior Labour Relations Manager to lead our Works Council and employee representation engagement across Germany and Austria. This is a newly created role that sits within our EMEA People organisation, requiring expertise in complex labour regulation, stakeholder management, and a commitment to protecting both employee voice and business continuity. 

You will report directly to the VP of HR EMEA and will be the primary point of contact for Works Council and statutory employee representation relationships in Germany and Austria. Based in Munich.

Key Responsibilities 

Relationship Management & Strategic Partnership 

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with Works Council representatives, employee delegates, Trade Unions and other external bodies 

• Serve as the primary liaison between ServiceNow leadership and the Works Council(s), ensuring clear and consistent communication 

• In partnership with the Senior Employee & Labour Relations Manager, develop and execute proactive engagement strategies that balance business needs with employee representation 

• Support stakeholder alignment across HR, Legal, Communications, and business leadership both within EMEA and Globally on labour relations matters 

Statutory Compliance & Consultation 

• Ensure compliance with labour law and Works Council requirements across Germany and Austria 

• Negotiate Works Council agreements and employment-related initiatives that align with enterprise strategic objectives and employee interests 

• Lead and manage formal consultation processes and collective engagement initiatives, including the negotiation of collective agreements and works council agreements in applicable jurisdictions 

• Partner with Legal to assess employment law impacts and mitigate legal risk in labour relations matters 

Organisational Change & Restructuring 

• Lead Works Council engagement and formal consultation on significant organisational changes, restructurings, and workforce decisions 

• Develop communication strategies and consultation plans that are legally compliant and respectful of employee voice 

• Provide labour relations counsel to HRBPs and business leaders navigating complex people decisions across Germany and Austria. 

Policy & Process Development 

• In partnership with the Senior Employee & Labour Relations Manager, develop and maintain labour relations policies, processes, and frameworks aligned with applicable legal requirements 

• Conduct regular legal and regulatory landscape analysis to anticipate changes affecting our operations 

• Provide guidance on employee relations best practice and escalation protocols 

• Continuously improve processes and drive consistency in our approach to social dialogue and employee representation 

• Provide training and support to managers and other stakeholders on labor relations policies, procedures, and practices to ensure consistency and compliance across the organization 

• Support the implementation of new or updated people programs, policies, and practices 

Required Qualifications & Experience 

• Experience in leveraging or critically thinking about how to integrate AI into work processes, decision-making, or problem-solving. This may include using AI-powered tools, automating workflows, analyzing AI-driven insights, or exploring AI's potential impact on the function or industry.

• 7+ years of progressive labour relations, employee relations, or HR experience 

• Deep expertise in Works Council laws and practice in Germany and Austria 

• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale organisational change and restructuring consultation processes 

• Strong understanding of collective bargaining, statutory consultation, and German (and Austrian) employment law 

• Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills, with ability to build trust across contentious issues 

• Fluency in English and German is essential; additional European languages are an advantage 

• Track record of advising senior leadership and HRBPs through complex labour relations challenges 

Desirable Qualifications 

• Law degree or postgraduate qualification in labour law or human resources 

• Experience in multinational or matrix organisations with complex governance 

• Experience in technology or high-growth companies with USA headquarters 

• Certification in labour relations or HR (CIPD, SHRM equivalent) 

Core Competencies 

• Strategic Thinking and Business Acumen: Ability to connect labour relations strategy to broader business objectives 

• Judgment & Decision Making: Ability to navigate ambiguity and make sound decisions under pressure 

• Relationship Management: Genuine interest in understanding different perspectives and building credible partnerships 

• Communication: Clear, direct communication with ability to translate complex issues for different audiences 

• Resilience & Care: Commitment to balancing business outcomes with genuine care for people affected by organisational decisions 

• Team Player: Ability to build strong relationships across HR and the business to be able to influence and advise and drive to the right outcomes 

Reporting Line & Collaboration 

This role reports directly to the VP of HR EMEA and will work closely with: 

• EMEA HR and Global HR Business Partners 

• Senior Employee & Labour Relations Manager 

• Senior Labour Relations Manager, France & Netherlands (peer role) 

• Employment Legal 

• Communications on stakeholder messaging 

• Business leadership 

Work Personas

We approach our distributed world of work with flexibility and trust. Work personas (flexible, remote, or required in office) are categories that are assigned to ServiceNow employees depending on the nature of their work and their assigned work location. Learn more here. To determine eligibility for a work persona, ServiceNow may confirm the distance between your primary residence and the closest ServiceNow office using a third-party service.

Equal Opportunity Employer

ServiceNow is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity,  veteran status, or any other category protected by law. In addition, all qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with legal requirements.  

Accommodations

We strive to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are unable to use this online application and need an alternative method to apply, please contact [email protected] for assistance. 

Export Control Regulations

For positions requiring access to controlled technology subject to export control regulations, including the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), ServiceNow may be required to obtain export control approval from government authorities for certain individuals. All employment is contingent upon ServiceNow obtaining any export license or other approval that may be required by relevant export control authorities. 

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