Senior HR Operations Advisor

<p>Are you a detail-oriented HR professional with a passion for operational excellence and employee experience? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, multicultural environment where your contributions can truly make a difference? If so, we’d love to hear from you.</p> <p>We are in search of an experienced <strong>Senior HR Operations Advisor</strong> with profound knowledge of Germany labor laws and proven record of delivering HR services in Germany, possessing a  solid working knowledge of Workday with HRIS. As the ideal <strong>Senior HR Operations Advisor</strong>, you will possess a strong track record of successfully managing HR operations within Germany, ensuring compliance with local labor regulations. Experience of liaising with German Works Councils or working in Collective Bargaining environment is essential for this role. We’re looking for someone who brings a blend of HR operational expertise and a proactive, people-first mindset. You’ll need to be both hands-on and strategic.</p> <p>You’ll play a key role in enabling our success through outstanding HR service delivery. This is an exciting time to join us as we continue to evolve and strengthen our HR operations in support of a truly global business. This is a hybrid role, requiring at least three days per week in the <strong>Cologne office</strong>. We support your work-life balance with a mix of in-office collaboration and home-based productivity.</p> <p> </p> <h3><strong>Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll do (not all of it, just the important stuff):</strong></h3> <p><strong>HR Operations Delivery and Compliance:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Own the day-to-day HR operations services delivery across the different entities of Germany and Europe. This includes managing HR employee life cycle processes such as new hire orientation, onboarding, terminations, payroll, compensation &amp; benefits administration, all in compliance with German and European HR policies, procedures, and employment laws and regulations</li> <li>Work hand in hand with your HRBPs to manage any involuntary terminations</li> <li>Producing standard and non-standard offer letters / employment contracts and employment change letters</li> <li>Supporting the annual promotion and pay review processes</li> <li>Stay up to date with changes in German employment laws and regulations and update HR policies and procedures accordingly in collaboration with your HRBPs</li> <li>Ensure HR Ops processes and policies are up to date and compliant with all relevant local employment procedures and regulations</li> </ul> <p><strong>Works Council Collaboration:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Collaborate closely with HR Business Partners (HRBPs) to develop a strong working relationship with and engage with Works Councils, for compliance and maintaining positive labour relations.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Workday System Management:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Utilize Workday as the HRIS for employee data management, payroll reporting and generate reports. Continuously ensure data accuracy and integrity by conducting your own regular audits</li> <li>Support HRBPs in the development and implementation of HR initiatives and projects in line with YouGov goals across German entities</li> </ul> <p><strong>Team Collaboration and Process Improvement:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Responsible for managing and overseeing the work of 1 or 2 direct reports. This includes providing guidance, setting goals, offering support, and fostering professional growth and development within the team</li> <li>Close working with global HR Operations colleagues and other cross-functional teams to implement best practices projects in line with wider HR goals and strategies</li> <li>Review existing processes/procedures and drive continuous improvement for operational efficiency</li> </ul> <h3>These are the essentials you’ll need to get an interview:</h3> <ul> <li>At least <strong>5 years</strong> of proven experience in HR operations in Germany</li> <li>Fluent <strong>German</strong> language skills (C1 / C2 Level) &amp; <strong>English</strong> language skills (C1/C2 level) </li> <li>Experience working with Works Councils, including preparing and providing reports while ensuring compliance with requirements and exposure to Union environment.</li> <li>Demonstrable experience using Workday as an HRIS</li> <li>Strong risk management awareness with a keen ability to identify and assess potential risks to ensure compliance</li> <li>Some relevant line management or leadership experience.</li> </ul> <h3>Behavioural competencies</h3> <ul> <li>Ability to multitask, prioritize and perform well under pressure to meet deadlines</li> <li>Agile and adaptable, able to work accurately and independently in a fast-paced global environment.</li> <li>Be customer-focused and understand what a positive customer experience looks like</li> <li>Must be hands on with great stakeholder management skills</li> <li>Personable with great communication skills.</li> </ul> <h3>It would be great if you