Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:
This is a new role in the recently created Employee Relations (ER) team. You will work alongside the Senior Director, Employee Relations and VP, Employee Relations to execute the adidas ER program ensuring a consistent employee experience across the Globe. As an ER expert you are required to educate and advise our employees about ER related policies, investigate concerns about potential policy violations and other workplace behavior, and support our employees and HR Business Partners to resolve workplace conflict using a variety of tools. A strong analyst, effective communicator, and calm operator you’ll make recommendations and decisions that have a direct impact on stewarding the adidas culture.
Key Responsibilities:
- Responsible for employee relations matters at our HQ in Germany and the rest of the Globe (excluding North America)
- Supports the implementation of the ER global framework for all key ER activities
- Coaches and advises on the informal resolution of workplace conflict using established tools of coaching, intervention and mediation
- Leads the mediation of complex disputes between different parties
- Conducts complex investigations in relation to ER matters e.g. harassment, discrimination and retaliation (incl. respective stakeholder management)
- Restores organizational health following an investigation or conflict in the workplace
- Maintaining accurate ER records within a Case Management System allowing collaboration with key partners to share data insights and trends
- On a rotational basis reviewing all ER cases received by our whistleblowing vendor and allocating the cases
- Advises and trains managers and/or HR Business Partners on key ER processes
- Coaches and develops ER experts (to be recruited) sharing skills and knowledge in a manner that is credible and inspires trust and engagement
- Champions the adidas values and behaviors to drive a feedback culture
Key Relationships:
- HRBPs and HR Community
- Employment Legal
- Compliance
- Work Council
- Corporate Internal Audit & Controls
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Proven expertise in conducting complex harassment and discrimination investigations (including sexual harassment) and restoration of organizational health
- Expertise in Employee Relations crisis management issues e.g., societal movements #metoo
- Expertise in conflict resolution and using established conflict resolution tools
- Knowledge of discrimination and harassment laws in key EMEA countries e.g. UK, Germany, the Netherlands
- Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, and policies (with advice from Employment/Labor Law)
- Ability to remain tactful, calm, and persuasive in controversial and/or confrontational situations
- Strong interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills with a proven ability to handle sensitive matters with empathy, tact and diplomacy
- Proven leadership, people management, interpersonal and consensus building skills
- Proven track record in interacting with senior management in high-pressure situations
- Ability to work in and thrive in a changing business environment
- Excellent English, both in speaking and writing
Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s degree in Law, Labor Relations, Human Resources or equivalent
- Min. 8 years of deep experience in Employee Relations at an international and matrixed organization working across EMEA. Employee Relations knowledge of other Geographies a plus e.g. Greater China
- Carrying out harassment and discrimination investigations in their current role
- Trained and/or qualified mediator a plus
- Knowledge of sporting goods industry beneficial, Retail and DC experience valued
- Working knowledge of other languages than English are a plus, ideally German and Spanish
Note: Please note that this role can be based out of Amsterdam or Herzogenaurach.