Labour Relations Professional M/F/D

Job Description

About the Role
We’re looking for a seasoned Labour Relations Professional to report into the AVP, Global HR Compliance, Ethics & Labour Relations. You will lead Agilent’s labour relations agenda primarily in Germany, and be the primary HR interface to the Works Council (Betriebsrat) across our German sites. This role anchors the German LR operating model—balancing compliance, partnership, and business enablement—while ensuring our practices align with German labour law and Agilent’s global framework. 

You will serve as Agilent’s single point of contact for Works Council relations (Mainz, Waldbronn, Group Germany), operational HR compliance, and labour-law–relevant initiatives, and you’ll be a key partner to the Country Management Team.  Overtime, you will also contribute to the labour relations activities in other European countries. 

What You’ll Do

1) Works Council & Labour Law 
•    Act as the primary point of contact for three Works Council bodies (Mainz, Waldbronn, Group Germany) and the Economic Committee on all HR matters.
•    Coordinate personnel measure submissions for WC review (e.g., changes in employment/job status, organizational changes, workforce management/WFM).
•    Review, renegotiate, and operationalize WC agreements (Betriebsvereinbarungen)—including manager/employee communications and training. 
•    Manage WC-related litigations as needed, coordinating internal stakeholders and external counsel.
•    Oversee the WC operational budget, approve WC training and supplies, and coordinate administrative requests across all three bodies.
•    Provide quarterly statistics and election-related reporting per agreed cadence.
•    Partner with Total Rewards CoE on annual range setting, salary reviews, and job family introductions to the German organization.
•    Represent HR at site WC townhalls and Group WC meetings, together with Country Management Team.
•    Serve as the escalation point for ad hoc WC requests and mediate between project leads and WC for IT/tool/survey introductions; advise on classification (courtesy, formal, fast-track), review decks prior to WC submission, and facilitate alignment.
•    Own the relationship with the Works Council, its committees (~10) and bodies, fostering constructive, trust-based collaboration.

2) Operational HR Compliance
•    Advise HRBPs with teams in Germany on compliance, employment law, and WC agreement implications for planned initiatives.
•    Partner with HR Centers of Excellence (CoEs) and HR Shared Services Center on program, tool, and process changes to ensure German legal/WC alignment.
•    Collaborate with HRSS during transition and beyond to embed compliance and WC requirements in shared services processes.
•    Support employee litigations (including WFM or other initiatives) with external legal counsel as needed; represent Agilent management in court as needed, partnering with the relevant HRBP.
•    Support German ER matters in partnership with other members of the CoE, HRBPs, or other functions (Legal, Internal Audit), including interviews, reporting or stakeholder communications (employees, managers, WC per legal/WC agreement).
•    Lead notifications/terminations where the HRBP is outside Germany—advise managers/HRBPs, manage WC hearings, prepare/deliver paperwork, and oversee litigations/court hearings.
•    Review and update contract templates and employment documents to reflect German/EU law changes; coordinate implementation with HRSS and external counsel.
•    Project lead the WC-related part of the Germany HR transition into Agilent’s new model, ensuring compliance-by-design.

3) Additional Responsibilities
•    Maintain oversight of key changes in labour/employment law; liaise with other members of the CoE, HRSS, Country Management, and WC to update frameworks, local practices, and process documentation.
•    Beyond Germany (main focus), you will contribute to labour relations’ activities in other Europe countries (e.g. Austria, Netherlands, Belgium) to drive the regional framework and allow HRBPs to focus on business partnerships.
 

Qualifications

Qualifications
•    Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in HR, Law, Business, Industrial/Labour Relations, or related field.
•    8+ years of progressive HR/ER/LR experience in Germany, including direct engagement with Works Councils and Betriebsvereinbarungen (Expert Level).
•    Sound understanding of German labour law and compliance, including Works Constitution Act (BetrVG) and related WC agreements. 
•    Proven experience negotiating with Works Councils, managing WC litigations, and representing management in court.
•    Fluency in German (C2/native) and strong English skills—written and verbal.
•    Ability to work onsite at Waldbronn at least 3 days/week (ideally 5); occasional travel to Mainz or other Agilent sites.

Skills & Attributes
•    Structured approach to managing complex processes and agreements.
•    Political versatility and ability to navigate sensitive topics with diplomacy.
•    Excellent networking and negotiation skills; trusted influencer across WC bodies, Country Management, Legal, and HR.
•    Ability to balance multiple stakeholder expectations while maintaining compliance and business priorities.
•    Outstanding communication and presentation skills—able to simplify complexity for diverse audiences.
•    Hands-on mentality: willing to dive into operational details while keeping strategic oversight.
•    Strong risk assessment and problem-solving skills, and balanced approach to compliance needs vs business needs.
•    High integrity and discretion in handling confidential matters.

We Offer:

• Motivated Teams: Collaborate with highly motivated teams and take on exciting responsibilities.

• Challenging Projects: Engage in dynamic, collaborative projects.

• Development Opportunities: Benefit from diverse opportunities for professional growth.

• Corporate Culture: Be part of an exceptional corporate culture.

• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a good work-life balance.

• Competitive Compensation and Benefits: Receive a competitive compensation and benefits package.

• Hybrid Work: Work in a hybrid model (3 days in the office, 2 days from home).

• Permanent Contract: Secure a permanent contract with a fast-growing global company.

If you have any further questions regarding the application process, please contact the recruiter at +34 933 445 804.

Additional Details

This job has a full time weekly schedule.

Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. During the hiring process, a recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for a preferred location. Pay and benefit information by country are available at: https://careers.agilent.com/locations

Agilent Technologies Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other protected categories under all applicable laws.

Travel Required:

Occasional

Shift:

Day

Duration:

No End Date

Job Function:

HR