www.clearygottlieb.com

HR Generalist

We are seeking an HR Generalist to join our team in Germany. 

The position is based in Cologne, with flexibility to travel to the Frankfurt office frequently (generally, once a quarter).

This position is for a full-service generalist HR responsible for (i) the full employment lifecycle of professional staff employees; and (ii) support for specific aspects of the legal staff lifecycle for the German offices.

Overview

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Human Resources Administration

  • Advise employees of firm policies and procedures.
  • Responsible for all aspects of HRIS (Workday) system for professional staff, including: ensuring HR data is accurately maintained and reported, annual salary and bonus information is recorded.
  • Assist with preparation of the monthly payroll file.
  • Participate in and support the execution of HR related projects at a local level (some of which may require the implementation in Germany of regional or global HR projects).
  • Monitor employment legislation and liaise with external employment counsel where needed.
  • Periodic review and update of policies in line with legislative or Firm related changes and in collaboration with relevant departments, including translations.
  • Monitor the health and safety regulations and assist with the periodic requirements, such as emergency drills, trainings, labor doctor’s visits, liaising with the relevant vendors.
  • Assist with discipline and grievance issues in conjunction with relevant Partners/managers.
  • Provide visa and immigration support.
  • Monitor and update info in the Business Continuity website. 

On-boarding/Off-boarding

  • Assist with the documentation relating to employment (e.g. contracts, change in terms letters, employment references, Firm’s policies).
  • Guide arriving and departing professional and legal staff members through the relevant procedures
  • Prepare calculations for employees who leave the Firm (e.g., notice period, vacation pay) and complete required exit documents and reassign tasks.
  • Conduct exit interviews with departing professional staff members and update exit questionnaire with feedback collected during the interview.

Performance Management & Legal Staffing

  • Coordinate the professional staff annual performance review process.
  • Support the performance management process of professional staff and legal staff.
  • Coordinate and manage secondments with the Firm’s clients and international assignments to other Firm’s offices for legal staff.

Benefits, Learning & Development, and Engagement

  • Responsible for the administration of employee benefits including periodic review of benefit entitlements.
  • Help with the design and promotion of gender equity and diversity, equity and inclusion proposals and take initiatives to foster the wellbeing of both professional and legal staff.
  • Support with mentoring programs, learning and development, and other similar initiatives for legal staff.
  • Liaise with third-party vendors in relations to the Firm’s benefits, such as EAP and others.

Professional Staff Recruitment

  • Manage professional staff recruitment hires, including liaising with third-party vendors such as recruitment agencies.
  • Review and update job descriptions in conjunction with hiring manager/HR Manager.
  • Coordinate search with external recruiting agencies and interview preselected candidates.

Requirements

  • Strong educational background. Degree level in HR related fields preferred.
  • Minimum of 1-3 years of relevant experience, preferably in an international corporate environment. Some experience in gender equity and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives would be an asset.
  • Cross-cultural skills and awareness related to individuals from broad backgrounds, races, ethnicities, religions, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability, amongst others.
  • Can approach data with a critical mindset.
  • Ability to multi-task and function comfortably under demanding deadlines, proactive and hands-on.
  • Team oriented and disposition to collaborate with members from various Firm departments, committees and external organizations.
  • Detail-oriented and ability to complete tasks under minimal supervision.
  • High degree of confidentiality, maturity, flexibility and cultural sensibility.
  • Friendly, positive and welcoming attitude.
  • Fluency in English and German.
  • Good knowledge of German labor legislation and first experiences in payroll processes.
  • Experience in using databases, Microsoft Office products, including Excel, Power Point, and Word.

Our Cologne Office is situated in a villa centrally located not far from the Rhine river, you will like our office environment and our international and collegial atmosphere as well as an attractive benefits package (the possibility of remote work, 30 days annual leave, meal allowance, free beverages and fruit in the office as well as other benefits).

Please send your application including a cover letter and résumé to GERHRrecruit@cgsh.com.