Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

This is a temporary position (assignment planned through 09/27) to support the Global Employee Relations (ER) team and ensure continuity of delivery. The role sits within the Global ER team and works under the direction of the Global Employee Relations Lead. As an ER expert, you will educate and advise employees and leaders on ER-related policies, investigate concerns about potential policy violations and workplace behavior, and support employees through challenging situations. In addition, you will strengthen ER reporting and insights through high-quality dashboards and the preparation of executive-level presentations, translating data into clear, actionable recommendations. As a strong analyst, effective communicator, and calm operator, you’ll make recommendations and decisions that have a direct impact on stewarding the adidas culture.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive the ER incident process and maintain an effective system for documenting, triaging, and resolving policy violations and other workplace concerns, including the development and delivery of relevant user trainings
• Responsible for assigned ER matters at our HQ in Germany and the rest of the Globe (excluding North and Latin America) under the direction of the Global Employee Relations Lead.
• Conducts complex investigations in relation to ER matters e.g. bullying , harassment, discrimination and retaliation
• Restores organizational health following an investigation or conflict in the workplace
• Provides advice and counsel in a manner that is credible and inspires trust and engagement when complex workplace issues arise among employees at key points of the employee life cycle such as performance management and end of employment
• Leads the mediation of complex disputes between different parties
• Advises and trains managers and/or HR Business Partners on key ER processes and performs an ER subject matter expert role
• Champions the adidas values and behaviors to drive a feedback culture
• Delivers regular ER reporting for key stakeholders, turning data into clear, executive-ready insights through dashboards (e.g. Power BI) and compelling presentations (PowerPoint)
• Maintains accurate ER records within the Case Management System and, in partnership with key stakeholders (e.g. People Intelligence,  Tech), defines and sets up the technical requirements (data sources, access, data quality and reporting logic) needed to identify trends, translate them into insights, and enable data-driven decisions via dashboards and clear narratives
• Leverages productivity tools (e.g. Copilot) to streamline reporting and data analysis (Power BI, dashboards), and to draft, summarize and refine case documentation, stakeholder updates and presentation materials—while applying sound judgment and confidentiality standards

Key Relationships:

Liaise with key internal stakeholders, including building collaborative relationships with the following:

• HRBPs and HR Community
• Employment Law
• Compliance
• Tech
• People Intelligence
• Business Architects
• Other governance Functions such as CIA, ICS

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong digital and analytical capability, including experience using Copilot and Microsoft 365 to improve productivity and quality
• Advanced reporting and data visualization skills (Power BI, dashboards), including the ability to translate trends into clear insights for decision-making
• Executive stakeholder management skills, builds trust and credibility with senior leaders, communicates clearly and with discretion, and is comfortable navigating sensitive ER matters (including investigations involving senior stakeholders)
• Expertise in conducting complex workplace investigations and restoration of organizational health
• Expertise in conflict resolution
• Knowledge of discrimination and harassment laws in key EMEA countries e.g. UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan would be a plus
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, and policies
• Ability to negotiate internally to drive the acceptance of changes in existing practices and adoption of new standards and concepts
• Ability to remain tactful, calm, and persuasive in controversial and/or confrontational situations
• Emotional resilience and strong interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills; able to engage calmly and respectfully with employees who may be distressed or experiencing mental health challenges, while maintaining appropriate boundaries and handling sensitive matters with empathy, tact and diplomacy (partnering with Occupational Health/EAP/HR as needed)
• Ability to work in and thrive in a changing business environment
• Excellent English, both in speaking and writing, fluent in German is a plus

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, Law, Business, Human Resources or a related field (focus on Employee Relations preferred) or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 7-8 years progressive work experience preferably in an international organization, thereof Minimum 4 years of experience in Human Resources in an international, matrixed organization (Employee Relations experience strongly preferred; HR Business Partner experience also valuable). Experience working across EMEA preferred; knowledge of other geographies a plus (e.g., EM, Greater China, Japan)
• Employment/Labor Law experience applicable to Employee Relations issues in EMEA a plus
• Significantly contributed to the strategy and vision of an Employee Relations Geography and/or overall function
• Trained and/or qualified mediator a plus
• Knowledge of sporting goods industry beneficial and retail and DC experience valued
• Working knowledge of other languages than English are a plus, ideally German

• JOB TITLE: Senior Manager Employee Relations - m/f/d
• BRAND: adidas
• LOCATION: Herzogenaurach or other adidas HUB
• TEAM: Human Resources
• STATE: BY or other
• COUNTRY/REGION: DE or other
• RELOCATION: International – Capability Expertise
• CONTRACT TYPE: Temporary (Full time) – until 09/27
• NUMBER: 
• DATE: