Head of Industrial Relations Central & Northern Europe (f/m/d)

Req ID:510491 

At Alstom, we understand transport networks and what moves people. From high-speed trains, metros, monorails, and trams, to turnkey systems, services, infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility, we offer our diverse customers the broadest portfolio in the industry. Every day, more than 80,000 colleagues lead the way to greener and smarter mobility worldwide, connecting cities as we reduce carbon and replace cars.

Could you be the full-time  Head of Industrial Relations Central & Northern Europe (f/m/d) we’re looking for? The position should ideally be based in Berlin; other locations may be considered.

Your Future Role:

The Head of Industrial Relations (f/m/d) drives the regional labor relations strategy across Central & Northern Europe, fully aligned with global governance and local legal standards. Central & Northern Europe comprises Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, with more than 13,000 employees. The role is the principal advisor on high-impact labor-relations matters, leading critical negotiations, restructurings, and Mergers & Acquisitions processes while safeguarding legal integrity and social dialogue. We’ll look to you to:

• Drive strong stakeholder alignment with works councils, trade unions and senior leaders, enabling constructive social partnership and helping the organisation manage its industrial footprint across the region
• Hold ownership for cross‑country labor & collective law by providing overarching guidance to local teams and driving standardisation, harmonisation and simplification of Labor Relation processes to reduce complexity and ensure consistency
• Lead the Labor Relations strategy for the Region with full alignment to global governance and compliance expectations
• Coordinate governance and consultation procedures for the European Works Forum (EWF)—ensuring high‑quality documentation, process integrity and EU‑compliant handling of information flows (without chairing or leading the forum)
• Act as a trusted executive advisor in transformation, consultation and negotiation matters—especially concerning German labor law, collective bargaining and co‑determination
• Direct restructuring workstreams and collective negotiations (social plans, reconciliation of interests), including legal architecture, financial impact assessment and consistent, fair implementation
• Lead all Labor Relations aspects in Mergers and Acquisitions transactions, including due diligence, employee transfer mechanisms, collective law harmonisation and SPA‑relevant provisions
• Manage high‑stake Labor Relation communication and ensure clarity, credibility and stakeholder alignment across internal and external audiences

All About You

We value passion and attitude over experience. That’s why we don’t expect you to have every single skill. Instead, we’ve listed some that we think will help you succeed and grow in this role:

• Fully qualified lawyer with outstanding expertise in employment and labor law (preferably First and Second State Examination), ideally certified as a Specialist Lawyer in Employment Law; international legal study or practical experience is considered an advantage
• Several years of experience in labor relations within an industrial or technically driven environment
• Strong leadership presence with proven effectiveness in complex, multicultural and unionized settings, balancing business performance with social‑partnership responsibility
• Deep expertise in employment and collective labor law, combined with strong command of governance, policies, and compliance frameworks
• Outstanding negotiation and consultation capabilities at national and European level, including experience with EWF processes
• Analytical, integrity‑driven leadership style, characterized by clear communication and a pragmatic, hands-on, solution‑oriented mindset
• German and English at business‑proficient level

Things You’ll Enjoy

Join us on a life-long transformative journey – the rail industry is here to stay, so you can grow and develop new skills and experiences throughout your career. You’ll also:

• Experience a dynamic work environment with a permanent position at a leading company for green mobility
• Enjoy a competitive remuneration package, 30 days of vacation, and benefits such as company pension plans and subsidized “Deutschlandticket” (Job Ticket)
• Optimize work-life balance with flexible working hours and hybrid working models
• Explore growth opportunities and steer your career across functions and countries
• Benefit from excellent training opportunities through our award-winning Alstom University and participate in the company's innovation culture through idea management programs
• Thrive in a modern and collaborative workplace featuring mentor and buddy programs, diversity & inclusion initiatives, CSR activities, and engaging employee events
• Access to corporate benefits

You don’t need to be a train enthusiast to thrive with us. We guarantee that when you step onto one of our trains with your friends or family, you’ll be proud. If you’re up for the challenge, we’d love to hear from you!

Equal Opportunities Statement

As an employer, Alstom stands for equal opportunities. By creating an inclusive work environment where all employees are encouraged to realise their full potential, individual differences are valued and respected. All applicants are considered solely on the basis of their qualifications, regardless of skin colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ethnic and national origin, disability or other legally protected characteristics.

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