Labor & Employee Relations Manager - Europe (Remote)

Job Summary 

The Employee and Labor Relations Manager – Europe (France Focus) provides specialized expertise and operational support for associate and labor relations across the European region, with a particular focus on France. This role plays a critical part in fostering a positive, legally compliant, and fair workplace by proactively managing associate relations, ensuring adherence to labor laws, and maintaining constructive relationships with associate representative bodies.

The manager serves as the key liaison with the French Works Council (Comité Social et Économique – CSE), ensuring compliance with statutory consultation and information requirements.The role will also collaborate closely with HR, Legal, and business leaders to mitigate risk, promote organizational culture, and implement consistent people practices across Europe.

The role offers remote flexibility across Europe, ideally for candidates located in Ireland, Switzerland, or the UK

Fluency in French and English, deep knowledge of French labor law and industrial relations, and the ability to operate effectively in a multinational environment are required.

Essential Functions

Associate Relations Leadership & Case Management

• Serve as the lead contact for associate relations matters in France, including disciplinary actions, investigations, grievances, and conflict resolution
• Ensure that all associate relations activities are compliant with French labor law, company policy, and ethical standards
• Lead and document thorough internal investigations into associate complaints, regulatory issues, or alleged misconduct
• Maintain accurate and defensible case files; identify systemic issues and recommend preventive measures or policy enhancements
• Provide high-quality, timely guidance to managers and HR on performance management, workplace behavior, and policy interpretation

Works Council (CSE) Management

• Manage all aspects of works council (CSE) engagement and relationships
• Prepare, review, and deliver documentation for statutory consultations and information processes
• Coordinate and attend CSE meetings; partner with business and HR to prepare materials, presentations, and responses
• Ensure compliance with applicable deadlines, consultation sequences, and works council obligations under French labor law

Strategic Partnership & Risk Management

• Advise business leaders and HR on associates and labor relations strategies that balance compliance with operational objectives
• Interpret and apply French labor law, EU employment directives, and local regulations to company policies, practices, and HR programs
• Support organizational changes, including restructures, acquisitions, and workforce reductions, ensuring works council compliance and effective change communication
• Monitor emerging labor law developments and case law trends; update policies, practices, and training to maintain compliance

Training & Capability Building

• Deliver training for HR and managers on labor law compliance, associate relations, and works council engagement
• Strengthen organizational understanding of fair employment practices and conflict management

Regional Collaboration

• Act as a key contributor to EMEA-wide initiatives, sharing best practices and promoting consistent associate relations processes across Europe
• Participate in global and regional projects to enhance people practices and compliance standards

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in HR, associate relations, or labor relations, within a multinational environment
• Travel 25-50% of the time
• Proven experience managing French labor relations and works council (CSE) processes
• Experience leading internal investigations, grievance handling, disciplinary actions, and conflict resolution
• Experience handling high-tension or escalated associate situations with discretion, empathy, and calm
• Demonstrated ability to provide actionable guidance to managers and HR during sensitive or complex scenarios
• Experience managing cross-border associate relations and works councils in multiple European jurisdictions
• Experience in manufacturing, unionized environments, or working with hourly workforces
• Exposure to organizational changes, restructures, acquisitions, or workforce reductions in a multinational context
• Track record of influencing senior leadership and managing complex stakeholder relationships
• Experience operating in fast-paced, high-growth, or rapidly changing environments

Technical Skills

• Expertise in French labor law and works council (CSE) processes
• Case management, investigations, and documentation with high accuracy
• Interpreting complex legal and policy matters into actionable guidance
• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint for data analysis, reporting, and presentations
• Knowledge of EU employment directives and local regulations
• Ability to develop, update, and implement HR policies and compliance programs
• Experience handling high-stakes associate situations, sensitive exits, and complex performance management

Soft Skills

• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills—able to build trust quickly with associates, managers, and senior leaders
• Strong emotional intelligence and empathy, with the ability to de-escalate conflicts and navigate highly charged situations
• Calm under pressure and capable of providing principled guidance in sensitive or high-stakes scenarios
• Strong instincts for people and organizational culture; able to read situations and provide grounded, practical advice
• Low-ego, high-ownership mindset; able to operate strategically while also handling hands-on day-to-day responsibilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for sensitive or high-stakes conversations
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and rapid change, moving quickly while staying aligned with company values and policies

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