Director, Employment Lawyer, Austria, Switzerland, Central Europe and Others

Job Description

Director, Employment Lawyer – Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Central Europe and others (W/M/D)

Your New Role...

The role holder will work in partnership with the People & Culture (Human Relations) team to lead on all employment legal issues across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The role reports to the Group Vice President Employment Law based in the UK. The role holder must strive to develop a strong working relationship with key stakeholders; developing legally compliant, fit for purpose processes covering all the relevant territories. They will provide day-to-day advice and expertise to the P&C team on the full range of employee and staff issues, minimising the financial and reputational risk to Warner Bros Discovery. The role will be based in and have a particular focus on Germany but represents a great opportunity for a German qualified employment lawyer to work on cross border issues in the region.

Your Role Accountabilities...
• Managing and being the key contact for day to day employment legal issues across all Warner Bros Discovery's businesses in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa
• Supporting employment advice on all WBD businesses and brands including but not limited to Discovery+, Discovery TV channels, Eurosport, HGTV, Warner TV, Tele 5 and Warner Bros International Television Production (WBITVP)
• Drive the development of employment law strategy in the region, ensuring it is aligned with the overall aims of the company
• Provide ongoing day-to-day advice and guidance to People & Culture on initiatives with legal implications in the region including reorganisations, acquisitions, sales and outsourcing
• Comfortable with advising People & Culture and business leaders on the full range of people related issues, including Works Council matters (key in Germany but also helpful in other European jurisdictions)
• Manage internal relationships across a matrix structure: Legal, business, P&C
• Advise on all staff issues including contractors, agency workers and freelancer status
• Drafting and negotiating relevant employee documentation such as employment contracts, bonus arrangements, mutual agreements
• Working on global, cross jurisdictional projects. Advising on the impact of the roll out of global policies, processes and initiatives within the region
• Analyse and take proactive action on recurring employee relations themes and litigation within WBD to develop and implement effective solutions and share the learning in their region. Manage any litigation in the region, with support from outside counsel where relevant
• Working with People Relations team, providing legal advice on relevant investigations or disciplinary matters
• Develop internal relationships ensuring with a view to minimising external legal costs. Manage relationships with external counsel; creating governance around when to instruct external advisors and control costs
• Interpret the latest employment legislation and case law into practical, straight forward language to deliver workable solutions for the business
• Provide training to upskill the P&C team on current employment legislation and case law and to managers where relevant
• Collaborate with the local commercial/corporate in house lawyers where relevant
• The role may require overseas travel as necessary

Qualifications & Experience...
• Senior German qualified employment lawyer. Legal qualification in other countries highly desirable.
• Experience of employment law in other jurisdictions such as Austria, Switzerland, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa would be a key advantage.
• In-house experience, particularly in the media sector would be helpful.
• Fluent in the German and English language; other relevant European language skills beneficial.
• Must be technically very proficient with excellent academics
• Excellent interpersonal skills – ability to work effectively at all levels within the company.
• Clear and concise communicator (both orally and written) – ability to present and distil legally complex issues into legally compliant but practical and commercial solutions, in a way that engages the key stakeholders.
• Extremely professional: calm under pressure, clear thinking, well organised, proactive and grasps concepts quickly.
• Should excel in a fast paced environment with minimal supervision.
• Ability to manage own time judiciously and deal effectively with competing interests.
• Good team player – must have flexible, hands on approach.

Severely disabled employees are welcome in our company and will be given special consideration if they are equally qualified. Flexible working hours are offered to assist.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-rz4nb7-18-226-166-64-42 in your application.