Director, Labor & Employee Relations - Europe

This is a hybrid position requiring the team member to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week. No relocation is provided for this opportunity.

At West, we’re a dedicated team that is connected by a purpose to improve patient lives that has been at the center of our Company for more than a century. Our story began when Herman O. West solved the problem of supplying penicillin in mass quantities to the US Government during World War 2. Through our work to deliver thousands of life-saving and life-enhancing injectable medicines to millions of patients daily, West’s indelible mark on the healthcare industry has just begun.

A name started our story. How will yours help write our future?

There’s no better place to join an inclusive community of professionals with opportunities for lifelong learning, growth and development. Supported by benefit programs, we empower the physical, mental, emotional and financial health of our team members and their families.

We believe in giving back to help those in need in the communities where we live and work. And are equally committed to creating a healthier environment and planet through our sustainability efforts.

In this role, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and driving the company’s regional HR strategy, focusing on labor relations, employee engagement, investigations, and policy management. This leadership position requires a strong strategic thinker with exceptional communication, leadership and interpersonal skills. Will ensure the company maintains a positive and productive work environment aligned with our organizational values and objectives in both unionized / work councils and nonunionized settings.

Develop and support the design and delivery of labor and employee relations strategies and initiatives. The rolefosters positive management-employee relationships and supports a diverse, fair, and respectful workplace. The position demands a balance of hands‑on execution and strategic thinking, aligning initiatives with West’s strategic goals. This role champions a positive work environment, workplace harmony, and ensures all HR activities contribute to a productive and compliant workplace.

• Act as chief spokesperson for the Company to the German Works Council and union, European Works Council or collaborate with the local HR Managers for negotiations with works councils or unions at European sites.
• Act as strategic advisor to other European sites for labor and employee relations issues.
• Responsible for German Works Agreements negotiations in collaboration with local HR Managers.
• Strategic Development and Implementation:
  Leads, develops and implements a comprehensive regional strategy for positive employee relations, leadership development and third‑party relationships, ensuring that our business and customer needs are met with flexibility and efficiency.
• Create and implement employee relations programs to enhance job satisfaction, employee engagement, and productivity and provide guidance to HR managers and business leaders on managing complex employee relations issues.
• European Labor and Employee Relations Oversight. Lead matrix team supporting employee and labor relations initiatives in Europe.
• Develop and administer training to organizational leaders and human resources on positive employee relations, negotiations, and labor relations, etc.
• Partner with internal and external legal counsel on employee relations and labor relations matters to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.
• Oversee and participate in investigations and disciplinary process across European locations.
• Lead liaison to German Data Privacy Officer.
• Data Privacy Officer for Italy and Spain.
• Human Resources Policy Management. Create, implement, standardize and harmonize site‑level HR policies. Ensure policies are accessible and uniformly stored across all regions.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Psychology, Business Administration, or equivalent experience

• 10+ years HR experience (strategic and operational)
• 5+ years of experience in labor and employee relations
• Experience…