Senior Employee Relations Partner (d/f/m)

About Personio

Personio develops an intelligent HR platform tailored to simplify complex, time-intensive HR tasks for small and medium businesses. Our team of 1,500 employees supports over 15,000 customers and their 1.5 million employees with user-friendly products designed to delight.

This role is based in Berlin, Munich, London or Dublin, requiring 3 days per week onsite, with remote work for the rest of the week. Working within HR for a company that leads in HR technology offers a unique chance to influence both our growth and the future of the industry.

Role Overview

This position extends beyond a standard Employee Relations role. Bringing expertise across case management—from performance improvement to intricate investigations—you will build and scale a new Employee Relations (ER) discipline from the ground up at Personio. As the inaugural hire dedicated to this function, you'll define operational standards, empower teams, and implement practices that proactively mitigate risks and enhance outcomes.

You will focus on leveraging technology, especially AI and automation, to revolutionize the delivery of ER by improving efficiency, consistency, and insights at scale, while enabling People teams to better support managers.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage ER cases, serving as the main contact point while collaborating with People Business Partners to coach managers in handling employee issues confidently throughout the employee lifecycle.
• Drive complex, sensitive investigations such as whistleblowing, discrimination, and senior-level grievances, ensuring alignment with Legal, People Leadership, and executives to achieve fair, consistent, and commercially sound resolutions.
• Review and reconstruct ER workflows—including disciplinary, grievance, and performance procedures—to improve simplicity, legal compliance, scalability, and early intervention using data analysis.
• Design and implement ER systems, case tracking, and documentation frameworks emphasizing AI and automation to reduce administrative load and speed up quality outcomes.
• Develop and deliver practical training and resources for managers to encourage early, confident, fair handling of issues, diminishing over-reliance on the People team.
• Create scalable self-service tools like guides and templates, promoting proactive ER management through regular conversations and early issue resolution.

Candidate Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years' HR experience in People Operations, Business Partnering, or Employee Relations, preferably within fast-growing mid-to-large organizations (over 1,000 employees).
• Proven ER expertise spanning multiple European legal jurisdictions, notably Germany and the UK & Ireland.
• A neutral and objective investigator who balances compliance with a people-centered approach.
• Strong analytical mindset that looks beyond case closure to understand root causes, driving automation and documentation for sustainable solutions that simplify processes.

Working Arrangement and Additional Benefits

Personio is committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming environment where diversity is valued. Our culture supports all employees irrespective of gender, civil status, family composition, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, education, or race.

This role requires 3 days weekly onsite at your contracted office with flexibility for remote work on the remaining days and 20 additional Flexible Days annually to work from other locations.

Compensation and Perks

• Competitive and annually reviewed compensation package including salary, benefits, and pre-IPO equity.
• Generous paid time off with 28 vacation days, increasing by one day after 2 and 4 years of service.
• One fully paid Impact Day per year to contribute to environmental or social causes.
• Extensive family leave policies, child support, mental health services, and sabbatical options.
• A vibrant workplace culture with regular meals, cultural events, summer sessions, year-end celebrations, healthy snacks, drinks, and weekly catered lunches.