Interim Head of HR Country Services Germany, Austria (m/f/d)

A company is looking for an Interim Head of Hr Country Services for Germany and Austria to cover a 13-month fixed-term contract while the current incumbent is on sabbatical leave.

The role involves driving excellence in Hr service delivery, managing labour relations, overseeing local policies and compliance, and leading a team of Hr representatives and Health & Safety Officers.

The position is based in Germany with flexible (hybrid) work arrangements and may require up to 15% domestic and international travel.

• Drive labour relations strategy and manage relations with Works Council.
• Set and deliver local reward strategy, including salary negotiations and benefits management.
• Act as a mediator in employee-manager conflicts and recommend corrective actions.
• Lead the HR Country Committee and advise leadership on employment matters.
• Manage labour law issues, government audits, and represent the company in court if needed.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations, privacy laws, and Group Policies.
• Supervise HR Representatives and OHS Officers.
• Support HR Business Partners in driving employee engagement actions.

• At least 10 years of experience in Human Resources, with 5 years in managing people.
• Deep expertise in labour law and Compensation & Benefits in a multinational environment.
• Strong negotiation skills and resilience with a focus on delivering mutually beneficial solutions.
• Proven ability to build relationships with internal clients, Works Councils/Unions, and authorities.
• High level of integrity, autonomy, and ability to prioritize competing demands.
• Strong communication skills and comfort in handling tough discussions.
• Fluent in German and English, both written and spoken.
• Proficiency in Swedish is required at an advanced level.