About the Opportunity

Contentful is an innovative, high-growth, customer-focused company in a large and growing market. We’re seeking a Senior Legal Counsel - Employment (f/m/d) to join our growing international Legal Team. Leading the employment law function across the EMEA region, this position will apply Contentful’s business goals, culture and values to regional and country employment law issues. Serving as a significant influencer, this role will synthesize legal rules, statutory developments, and outside counsel/consultant feedback to assess and recommend a strategic approach aligned to an established legal risk profile. The EMEA Senior Employment Counsel will be part of the global Legal Team as well as an instrumental colleague of the People team.

This role will serve as primary legal advisor on employment law related issues as well as consultant and investigator on escalated employee relations (ER) matters across our EMEA employee population. This position will also help establish employment law-related considerations, while leading the more complicated, high-risk ER matters. This role will report to the VP & Deputy General Counsel, Corporate & Employment.

What to expect?

• Provide practical daily employment law advice on a full range of employment issues relating to recruiting, hiring, training, performance management, conduct issues, compensation, benefits, terminations and inclusion and diversity programs across multiple jurisdictions in EMEA
• Manage internal dispute resolution 
• Manage outside counsel assisting with employment matters, including management of budgets, directing strategy, and reviewing documentation
• Advise on works council and other employee administrative interactions and organizational matters, draft works agreements, and in partnership with the People Team, be a primary point person and manage process for engagement with works council and other organizations
• Support the People Team on all matters relating to employer of record and professional employer organizations
• Oversee the work of external counsel on works council  and employment matters and requests for discrete advice and project work as needed
• Oversee and advise on expansion and mobility matåters
• Support our People Team, with a focus on collaborating with key stakeholders to build and improve People processes and policies
• Serve as an escalation point for regional HRBPs regarding performance management, accommodations, leaves of absence, wage and hour issues, and incentive compensation
• Lead internal investigations, in consultation with the People team, and/or other internal partners, draft investigation reports and provide sound recommendations to the business on resolution of escalated ER case
• Support, review, and implement company-wide ethics compliance related policies, procedures and controls; adjust policies and procedures to reflect latest developments globally
• Partner with internal stakeholders to determine strategy and approach on employment-related policies, guidelines, and processes with an approach that balances pragmatism, risk, and compliance, consistent with Contentful culture and values
• Draft and revise employment-related templates (including offer letters, employment agreements, settlement, and separation agreements) as well as employee handbooks and work rules
• Monitor legal and legislative developments to help ensure compliance with international, federal, and local employment laws
• Continuously seek out, and incorporate as appropriate, employment and compliance related industry best practices and learnings
• Support merger and acquisition transactions and related integration of employees
• Work on cross-functional projects and initiatives across our different business areas internationally
• Assist in designing and leading training events on employment law and compliance related matters

What you need to be successful

• Qualified lawyer in Germany
• 10+ years of multi-jurisdiction employment law experience, including 2+ years in-house in an international, fast-growing company
• Experience advising on employment and labour law matters in Germany and in one or more of the U.K. or Ireland
• Experience advising on works council matters and managing employment litigation, appeals tribunals, agency investigations, and / or negotiating separation agreements
• Demonstrated creative, business savvy approaches to managing legal risks and resolving disputes utilizing legal and non-legal skills, both at a geo/country-level and more tactically
• Strong verbal and written skills – specifically, able to synthesize legal information into relevant details based on the audience and present clearly and succinctly and coherently verbally or in writing
• Strong listening skills, high emotional intelligence and ability to build relationships across various functions
• Self- motivated, independent, self-starter, highly responsive and positive, service-oriented attitude
• Strong investigative, coaching and conflict resolution skills 
• Comfortable and thrives in a fast paced, complex, dynamic, environment across different time zones and cultures where multitasking and prioritizing are required
• Demonstrated integrity and commitment to the highest ethical standards while working on a wide range of sensitive and confidential issues
• Fluency in English and German (verbally and in writing). 
• Candidate must be willing to work extended hours when necessary to connect with colleagues from other regions and be flexible to travel globally on occasion

What's in it for You?

• Join an ambitious tech company reshaping the way people build digital experiences
• Full-time employees receive Stock Options for the opportunity to share in the success of our company
• Fertility and family-building benefits, including a lifetime reimbursable wallet to support your growing family.
• We value Work-Life balance and You Time! A generous amount of paid time off, including vacation days, compassion days for loss, education days, and volunteer days
• Use your personal annual education budget to improve your skills and grow in your career
• Enjoy a full range of virtual and in-person events, including workshops, guest speakers, and fun team activities, supporting learning and networking exchange beyond the usual work duties 
• An annual wellbeing stipend to care for your physical, financial, or emotional health
• A monthly communication stipend and phone hardware upgrade reimbursement
• New hire office equipment stipend for hybrid or distributed employees. Get the gear you need to work at your best.

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