Senior Legal Counsel, Employment Law & Employee Relations

Job description

As a Senior Legal Counsel, Employment Law & Employee Relations, you’ll be the go-to expert on German individual and collective labour law for HR and leadership. You’ll shape how we work with the Berlin Works Council and the European SE Works Council, and resolve complex cases before they escalate. Your advice will keep our people practices compliant, consistent, and ready to scale. The Employment Law & Employee Relations Team advises HR, People Operations, and leadership on individual and collective labour law in Germany.

We work closely with the Berlin Works Council and the European SE Works Council to find practical, compliant solutions. Join the team that protects and enables Delivery Hero’s growth. In the Legal Team, you’ll support key initiatives by providing proactive legal guidance that aligns business goals with regulatory standards. Your work will help mitigate risks and ensure we’re positioned for sustainable, long-term success—making you a key contributor to our mission of delivering amazing experiences worldwide.

Advise HR Business Partners, People Operations, and leadership on individual and collective employment law in Germany, from contracts and terminations to working time, compensation, works agreements, and co-determination with our Berlin Works Council and the European SE Works Council. Support day-to-day legal issues affecting employees, managers, and the People team, with a focus on practical solutions, compliance, and consistency across cases.

Draft and review employment-related documents, such as contracts, side letters, termination letters, settlement agreements, works agreements, and templates. Shape pre-litigation strategy and support legal disputes with individual employees (e.g., unfair dismissal claims) and with the Works Council, including conciliation committee (Einigungsstelle) proceedings, coordinating with external counsel where needed. Partner with HR, Legal, Data Privacy, Total Rewards, and Compliance to build legally compliant and scalable practices.

Monitor developments in individual and collective labour law and turn them into clear, actionable insights for the People team and the business.

Qualifications

Fully qualified lawyer in Germany (Zweites Staatsexamen), with a strong focus on German individual and collective labour law. At least five years of post-qualification experience, ideally in an international company or leading law firm, with solid exposure to labour relations and co-determination matters. Deep knowledge of German employment law, especially contract law, termination law, working time, and employer obligations, as well as the Works Constitution Act (BetrVG) and co-determination rights.

You’re comfortable representing the company in labour court proceedings and in works council negotiations. “Fachanwalt/Fachanwältin für Arbeitsrecht” is a plus. Solution-oriented mindset and excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain legal matters clearly and practically to non-legal stakeholders.

Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative spirit

you build trust and work well in a team. Fluent in German and English , both written and spoken.