W Executive, an international Executive Search firm, is supporting a leading international law firm in the recruitment of its future HR Business Partner (Germany) F/M, as part of the continued development of its People & Culture team in Germany.
Our client is a globally recognised international law firm, advising leading organisations on complex and strategic matters across multiple jurisdictions.
Operating within a highly dynamic and evolving environment, the People & Culture function plays a key role in supporting business leaders, Partners and employees through growth, transformation and organisational change. This position offers a unique opportunity to combine strategic HR partnering, German employment law expertise, talent management and change leadership within a prestigious professional services environment.
In this context, the firm is looking for an HR Business Partner who can act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders while serving as a key support to the Head of People & Culture in Germany.
Reporting directly to the Head of People & Culture Germany, you will partner with business leaders across the German offices and provide hands-on HR support on a broad range of people-related matters.
• Act as a trusted advisor to Partners and managers on day-to-day HR and organisational topics.
• Provide practical guidance on German employment law, including contracts, working time, leave management, employee relations, disciplinary matters, investigations and terminations.
• Manage complex employee relations cases while ensuring compliance with local legislation and company policies.
• Support talent and performance initiatives, including talent reviews, succession planning, promotions, compensation reviews and pay equity projects.
• Contribute to workforce planning and organisational effectiveness discussions.
• Partner with leadership teams to implement change management and transformation initiatives across the business.
• Collaborate closely with HR Operations, Payroll, HRIS and international Centres of Excellence.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders and influence decision-making within a matrix environment.
12–18 month objective: Become a key HR partner for the German business and a trusted right hand to the Head of People & Culture, supporting both operational and strategic people priorities.
You have already developed strong HR partnering capabilities within an international and demanding environment and are comfortable advising senior stakeholders on a wide variety of people-related issues.
Essential requirements:
• 3 to 7 years of experience in Human Resources, ideally as an HR Business Partner, HR Advisor or HR Generalist with significant business partnering exposure.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of German employment law.
• Experience gained within an international law firm, Big Four organisation, consulting firm or broader professional services environment.
• Native or near-native German and fluent English.
• Proven ability to manage employee relations matters independently.
What will make the difference:
• Demonstrated experience supporting organisational change or transformation initiatives.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence without formal authority.
• Resilience, adaptability and sound judgement in complex situations.
• Diplomatic approach combined with the confidence to challenge constructively.
• Ability to thrive in an international, fast-paced and matrix-driven environment.
WHY JOIN THEM?
• A highly visible role partnering with senior leaders and Partners.
• Broad exposure across all areas of Human Resources, including employment law, talent management, reward, employee relations and transformation.
• The opportunity to work closely alongside an experienced People & Culture leader and act as her strategic partner.
• An international and collaborative environment offering excellent professional development opportunities.
KEY INFORMATION
Location: Frankfurt, Germany, with regular travel to Munich
Contract: Permanent
Working Model: Hybrid
Contract: Permanent
Working Model: Hybrid
Compensation: Up to €80,000–85,000 fixed salary depending on experience
Travel: Regular travel between Frankfurt and Munich
Start Date: As soon as possible
Travel: Regular travel between Frankfurt and Munich
Start Date: As soon as possible
THE W EXECUTIVE PROCESS
Your application will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. Selected candidates will benefit from an in-depth discussion with our team to explore their background, achievements, motivations and alignment with the challenges of the role.
At W Executive, we believe successful recruitment goes beyond matching a CV to a job description. It is about creating the right fit between a business ambition, a role and an individual career journey.
