Senior HR Operations Advisor

Are you a detail-oriented HR professional with a passion for operational excellence and employee experience? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, multicultural environment where your contributions can truly make a difference? If so, we’d love to hear from you.

We are in search of an experienced Senior HR Operations Advisor with profound knowledge of Germany labor laws and proven record of delivering HR services in Germany, possessing a  solid working knowledge of Workday with HRIS. As the ideal Senior HR Operations Advisor, you will possess a strong track record of successfully managing HR operations within Germany, ensuring compliance with local labor regulations. Experience of liaising with German Works Councils or working in Collective Bargaining environment is essential for this role. We’re looking for someone who brings a blend of HR operational expertise and a proactive, people-first mindset. You’ll need to be both hands-on and strategic.

You’ll play a key role in enabling our success through outstanding HR service delivery. This is an exciting time to join us as we continue to evolve and strengthen our HR operations in support of a truly global business. This is a hybrid role, requiring at least three days per week in the Cologne office. We support your work-life balance with a mix of in-office collaboration and home-based productivity.

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll do (not all of it, just the important stuff):

HR Operations Delivery and Compliance:

• Own the day-to-day HR operations services delivery across the different entities of Germany and Europe. This includes managing HR employee life cycle processes such as new hire orientation, onboarding, terminations, payroll, compensation & benefits administration, all in compliance with German and European HR policies, procedures, and employment laws and regulations
• Work hand in hand with your HRBPs to manage any involuntary terminations
• Producing standard and non-standard offer letters / employment contracts and employment change letters
• Supporting the annual promotion and pay review processes
• Stay up to date with changes in German employment laws and regulations and update HR policies and procedures accordingly in collaboration with your HRBPs
• Ensure HR Ops processes and policies are up to date and compliant with all relevant local employment procedures and regulations

Works Council Collaboration:

• Collaborate closely with HR Business Partners (HRBPs) to develop a strong working relationship with and engage with Works Councils, for compliance and maintaining positive labour relations.

Workday System Management:

• Utilize Workday as the HRIS for employee data management, payroll reporting and generate reports. Continuously ensure data accuracy and integrity by conducting your own regular audits
• Support HRBPs in the development and implementation of HR initiatives and projects in line with YouGov goals across German entities

Team Collaboration and Process Improvement:

• Responsible for managing and overseeing the work of 1 or 2 direct reports. This includes providing guidance, setting goals, offering support, and fostering professional growth and development within the team
• Close working with global HR Operations colleagues and other cross-functional teams to implement best practices projects in line with wider HR goals and strategies
• Review existing processes/procedures and drive continuous improvement for operational efficiency

These are the essentials you’ll need to get an interview:

• At least 5 years of proven experience in HR operations in Germany
• Fluent German language skills (C1 / C2 Level) & English language skills (C1/C2 level) 
• Experience working with Works Councils, including preparing and providing reports while ensuring compliance with requirements and exposure to Union environment.
• Demonstrable experience using Workday as an HRIS
• Strong risk management awareness with a keen ability to identify and assess potential risks to ensure compliance
• Some relevant line management or leadership experience.

Behavioural competencies

• Ability to multitask, prioritize and perform well under pressure to meet deadlines
• Agile and adaptable, able to work accurately and independently in a fast-paced global environment.
• Be customer-focused and understand what a positive customer experience looks like
• Must be hands on with great stakeholder management skills
• Personable with great communication skills.

It would be great if you had these to, but we’ll support you if you don’t:

• Degree in HR or similar qualification 
• Proficiency in other European languages and previous experience working in other European countries would be considered an advantage
• Experience of working with Jira

What can you expect when you become a YouGover? 

• You get 27 days of annual leave per year to begin with (will increase with service up to 36 days per year). In addition to this YouGov offers a designated day off that you can use to rest and recharge as we understand the importance of health and wellbeing
• The Deutschland Ticket scheme allows you to use public transport all over Germany (usually €58 per month however through YG it is €9 monthly).
• You will also have the option to work abroad for up to 30 days in a calendar year
• We’re big on learning, so all YouGovers have first-hand access to the vast number of courses available to help you develop your career.  
• Employer contribution of 15% towards private pension or direct insurance (BAV).
• A collaborative, diverse, and inclusive team culture

Make an impact. Shape the employee experience. Be part of something global. Apply now and let’s build the future of HR together. Please note, applications and CVs should be sent in English. 

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Company Description and Culture 

YouGov is a global online research company, offering insight into what the world thinks.    

We speak daily to our panel of over 27 million registered members to understand opinion and behaviors around the world. We have a strong reputation as a source of accurate data and we’re trusted by the world’s biggest brands to get it right, making us the most quoted market research source in the world.  

Why join YouGov? 

Join our global team to help us achieve our social mission: to make millions of people’s opinions heard for the benefit of our local, national, and international communities. 

Understanding diversity of opinion requires diversity of background. Although our global panel of millions of people worldwide powers our research, our biggest asset is our people. If our research is to be truly representative of what the world thinks, we need people from all walks of life to be part of the team to bring their perspective to the work we do.  

Life at YouGov 

We are driven by a set of shared values. We are fast, fearless, and innovative. We work diligently to get it right. We are guided by accuracy, ethics, and proven methodologies. We respect and trust each other, bringing these values into everything that we do. 

We strive to provide YouGovers with best-in-class benefits to support their physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing. We want our employees to have a sense of belonging and uniqueness in a supportive workplace, so they can bring their full selves to work.  

Equal Opportunity Employer 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, HIV status, political affiliation, socioeconomic background, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or in line with our responsibilities as a fair and ethic employer. All employment decisions are made based on occupational qualifications, merit, and business need. 

Data Privacy

To find out how we collect and use your personal data when you apply for a role at YouGov, please read our privacy notice at https://jobs.yougov.com/privacy