Associate Manager HR | German

As the Associate Manager HR – Leave Management, you will establish and lead a team of Leave Specialists within a Shared Services Model, ensuring seamless leave administration across the organization. As the Associate Manager HR – Leave Management, you will establish and lead a team of Leave Specialists within a Shared Services Model, ensuring seamless leave administration across the organization. Your role will focus on compliance, process optimization, and strategic leadership to enhance the overall employee experience throughout the leave journey. By fostering strong cross-functional relationships and maintaining data accuracy, you will drive a culture of empathy, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Leadership & Strategy

• Build and lead a high-performing Leave Specialists team, fostering collaboration and excellence.
• Develop and implement best practices for leave management, aligning with organizational goals.
• Provide training, mentorship, and growth opportunities to team members, encouraging continuous learning.
• Set clear team objectives, track performance, and provide constructive feedback.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex leave cases, offering expert guidance and resolution strategies.

Leave Administration

• Oversee leave programs, including maternity, parental, long-term sick leave, and other statutory/company-specific leave policies.
• Ensure compliance with local and regional regulations, staying ahead of legislative changes.
• Review and approve leave-related documentation, ensuring timely and accurate processing.
• Partner with payroll teams to facilitate accurate and timely leave payments.
• Employee Experience & Stakeholder Communication
• Provide empathetic support to employees navigating leave processes, ensuring a seamless experience.
• Collaborate with HR Business Partners, Centers of Excellence (COE), and Compliance teams for process consistency.
• Maintain clear and proactive communication with employees, managers, and key stakeholders.
• Support smooth reintegration of employees returning from leave.

Process Improvement & Reporting

• Monitor leave program performance, track key metrics, and compile insightful reports for leadership.
• Identify and implement efficiency improvements to enhance employee satisfaction.
• Maintain and update Workday knowledge portals and leave-related resources.
• Contribute to policy updates and the rollout of new leave programs.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure all leave processes align with legal and organizational policies.
• Manage pay-impact leaves, including claims processing and participation in review meetings.
• Maintain accurate case documentation to support compliance and data integrity.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years in HR, with direct exposure to leave management.
• HR Expertise: Strong understanding of leave administration, compliance requirements, and HR operations.
• Preferred Experience: Background in business-facing HR, HR Operations, or Shared Services is a plus.
• Technical Proficiency: Experience with HRIS platforms (e.g., Workday) and workforce management tools (e.g., UKG).
• Language Skills: Fluency in English and German (written & spoken) and proficiency in a second European language (French or Polish) is preferred.
• Leadership Abilities: Proven ability to lead teams in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Strong ability to handle sensitive situations with professionalism and empathy.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Experience in generating and interpreting reports to drive decision-making.
• Organizational Skills: Ability to prioritize multiple tasks while maintaining accuracy and efficiency.
• Mindset & Approach: Proactive, solution-oriented, and committed to delivering an exceptional employee experience.