Local HR Generalist - Germany

Description

As the local HR Generalist for Germany, you will deliver end-to-end HR support for approximately 60 employees and managers. You will be the first point of contact for day-to-day HR needs, ensure compliant and consistent HR operations, and partner with the MD to support the people agenda locally while aligning to global/Regional HR Operations standards.

Location: Germany (country-based)

Reporting lines: Functional reporting to HR Operations; local reporting to the MD (Germany)

Key responsibilities:

Employee lifecycle & HR operations

· Manage end-to-end employee lifecycle activities: onboarding, probation, contract changes, promotions, transfers, leaves, and offboarding.

· Prepare and manage local HR documentation (e.g., employment letters, certificates, confirmations) in line with internal standards and German legal requirements.

· Maintain accurate employee records and HRIS data; ensure timely processing of changes and adherence to data privacy requirements.

· Own local HR calendars and processes (e.g., probation reviews, annual policy acknowledgements) and coordinate with HR Operations on process improvements.

Employee relations, compliance & works council coordination

· Provide day-to-day guidance to employees and managers on HR policies, local practices, and employment-related queries.

· Support employee relations matters (e.g., attendance, conduct, performance, grievances) by advising managers, documenting cases, and partnering with HR Operations/HRBP/Legal as required.

· Ensure local compliance with German labour laws and applicable collective agreements; support audits and respond to regulatory requests as needed.

· Monitor and support absence and leave management (e.g., sickness, parental leave), ensuring appropriate documentation and timely communication with payroll/provider partners.

Payroll, benefits & vendor coordination

· Act as the local interface to payroll and external providers: validate monthly payroll inputs (e.g., new hires, leavers, salary changes, allowances, absences) and ensure deadlines are met.

· Support employee benefits administration (enrolment changes, queries, life events) and ensure compliance with local statutory requirements.

· Coordinate with head office on headcount reporting, cost centre alignment, and local administration topics.

Global Mobility

· Track and support local mobility/relocation or cross-border employment topics in partnership with HR Operations and external advisors (as applicable).

· Prepare and coordinate visa / work permit applications, work permit transfers in conjunction with our local partner.

· Ensure local registration at townhall and provide local guidance as necessary.

Recruitment support & onboarding experience

· Partner with Talent Acquisition and hiring managers to ensure a smooth candidate-to-employee handover and consistent onboarding.

· Coordinate local induction, mandatory trainings, and onboarding checklists; gather feedback to improve the new joiner experience.

Country partnering, engagement & communications

· Partner with the Country Manager on local people priorities (e.g., engagement actions, communications, policy rollouts) and provide insight on trends and risks.

· Support local initiatives (e.g., wellbeing, recognition, DEI activities) aligned to the broader HR strategy.

· Maintain local HR content and communications (FAQs, guidance notes) to ensure employees and managers have clear, timely information.

Reporting, data quality & continuous improvement

· Produce and validate local HR reports/metrics (e.g., headcount, attrition, absence, onboarding/offboarding status) and share insights with HR Operations and the Country Manager.

· Identify recurring issues and propose process improvements to increase employee experience, compliance, and operational efficiency.

· Support annual HR cycles (e.g., compensation reviews, performance cycle administration) in line with global processes, ensuring local compliance and timelines are met.

Required qualifications & experience

· Proven experience in a generalist HR role in Germany, ideally supporting a small-to-mid sized employee population.

· Strong working knowledge of German labour law fundamentals and HR administration practices (e.g., contracts, leave/absence processes, works council interaction as applicable).

· Experience coordinating payroll inputs with external payroll providers and administering benefits.

· Comfortable operating in a matrix environment with dual reporting lines and multiple stakeholders.

· Experience using HRIS systems and maintaining high-quality employee data; strong Microsoft Office/Excel skills.

· Fluent German and professional English (spoken and written).

Education & certifications

· Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Human Resources, Business Administration, Law, or a related field.

· Relevant HR qualification/certification is a plus (e.g., IHK HR-related certification or comparable).

Key competencies

· Service-oriented mindset with strong employee experience focus.

· Sound judgment, confidentiality, and ability to handle sensitive topics with discretion.

· Strong stakeholder management and communication skills across cultures and levels.

· Organized and detail-oriented with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.

· Continuous improvement mindset; able to simplify and standardize processes.

What success looks like (first 6–12 months)

· Smooth, compliant delivery of core HR processes for Germany with strong data quality and on-time payroll inputs.

· Trusted partnership with the MD and managers, providing timely guidance and pragmatic solutions.

· Improved employee experience through clear communication, responsive support, and streamlined local HR administration.

· Effective collaboration with HR Operations and other HR functions, ensuring alignment to global standards while meeting local requirements.