Senior Labor Relations Manager

Who you are

• 8+ years work experience in human resources, business programs/processes, or related field
• OR Bachelor's degree in human resources, business, or related field AND 6+ years work experience in human resources, business programs/processes, or related field
• OR equivalent experience
• Extensive experience in Labor/Industrial Relations, with a proven track record of maintaining high-trust relationships with employee representative bodies
• Deep familiarity with the BetrVG (Germany Works Council) and WOR (Netherlands Works Council)
• A foundational understanding of the French Labor Code as it pertains to smaller CSE structures
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to translate complex business needs into respectful, collaborative proposals
• Strong analytical skills, negotiation, and a passion for digital transformation in HR
• Professional fluency in English and German is highly preferred; French and/or Dutch language skills would be beneficial but not mandatory

What the job involves

• As the EMEA Labor Relations Consultant, you will be the primary custodian of our relationship with employee representative bodies across Germany, the Netherlands, France, and the UK, while also leading the establishment of new employee representative structures in additional EMEA countries as business needs evolve
• Your mission is to foster a culture of mutual respect, transparency, and collaboration
• You will act as a dedicated bridge between business leadership and our Works Councils, ensuring that our social dialogue is constructive, legally compliant, and aligned with our shared goal of long-term organizational health
• Partner with Works Councils and employee representatives to create and deliver against consultation timelines, ensuring that all parties have the information and time needed to fulfill their duties
• Lead the development of Company Agreements (Betriebsvereinbarungen in DE, Instemmingsaanvragen in NL) with a focus on sustainable outcomes for both the company and our employees
• Act as a reliable point of contact for employee representatives, providing clear and timely business context to support informed dialogue
• Manage the co-determination process in Germany (BetrVG) with a focus on collaborative problem-solving. Facilitate discussions regarding modern working practices, IT systems, and health and wellbeing
• Engaging the Works Councils early in the decision-making process, delivering advisory sessions and facilitating productive consultation as required
• Facilitate the Social and Economic Committee (CSE) proceedings in alignment local requirements, focusing on maintaining an open channel for employee feedback and local compliance
• Support our UK employee forums by providing a platform for consultation and information-sharing, ensuring a supportive and heard workforce
• Lead the establishment of new Works Councils or employee representative bodies in additional EMEA countries as required, including advising on legal requirements, election processes, governance structures, and ongoing engagement models
• Identify potential areas of friction early and address them through informal dialogue to prevent formal grievances or legal escalations
• Coach business leaders, design and implement capability-building programmes, and identify training needs to elevate organisational effectiveness
• Partner with Centres of Excellence to implement scalable, AI-driven labour relations programmes and processes across EMEA

Benefits

• Flexible time away to support balance in your work and life
• Clear diversity, inclusion, and anti-discrimination policies backed by business practices and company culture
• 100% of medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums covered by GitHub for you + your dependents. (Includes gender-affirming benefits)
• Five months of paid family leave to all new parents with the option to use it all at once or throughout the child’s first year
• Family forming benefits that cover fertility, infertility, adoption, and surrogacy costs and support
• Mental health benefits that offer resources and support and cover therapy and coaching sessions for you and your dependents
• Generous 401(k) matching with 50% match up to the IRS 402(g) limit (US; competitive non-US pension options internationally)
• Employee stock purchase plan that lets you purchase Microsoft stock at a discount. (Microsoft is our parent company.)