People Relations Partner – Europe and META - #2741616

Castrol is one of the world’s leading lubricant brands, serving customers and consumers in the automotive, marine, industrial and energy sectors. Castrol brands are recognised globally for their premium quality and high performance, shaped by the company’s commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology. With products sold in more than 150 countries, Castrol has helped keep things moving on roads and racetracks, air, sea, and space for over 125 years.

Whether you're just starting out or ready for your next big move, you're in the right place to explore an exciting career with Castrol.

Job Description

About the team

The People Relations team provides strategic employee and labour relations support across Germany, Europe, and META. The team partners with business leaders, HR business partners, legal counsel, works councils, employee representatives, and the wider P&C organisation to ensure compliant and consistent people practices while enabling business outcomes.

This role reports to the Head of People Relations and acts as a trusted adviser on complex casework, organisational change, German labour law, and European consultation frameworks.

Key tasks

• Manage complex disciplinary, grievance, performance, conduct, and workplace investigation matters.
• Act as the subject matter expert for German and European labour law and advise leaders and P&C colleagues on employee and labour relations requirements.
• Lead consultation and engagement with German works councils and negotiate company agreements. Support the reminder of Europe and META countries
• Advise on co-determination obligations, consultation timelines, information requirements, and implementation planning.
• Support negotiations relating to HR processes and systems, organisational changes, benefits, and workplace policies.
• Support restructurings, workforce reductions, transfers, outsourcing projects, and broader business transformations.
• Identify employee relations risks, recommend mitigation actions, and promote consistency in decision-making.
• Coach leaders and P&C colleagues on employment law, employee relations, and consultation requirements.
• Build effective relationships with business leaders, HR business partners, legal counsel, works councils, employee representatives, and the wider P&C organization.
  
  

Experience Required

• Degree in business, employment law, or a related discipline.
• Employee relations, labour relations, or HR experience within multinational organisations.
• Strong understanding and practical experience of German employment law and European consultation frameworks.
• Experience leading complex employee relations casework and workplace investigations.
• Experience supporting organisational change and negotiating Works Council agreements.
• Fluent German and English. Any further European language knowledge would be an advantage.
• Strong influencing and negotiation, conflict resolution, analytical thinking, commercial awareness, and stakeholder management skills.
• Resilience, sound judgement, and effective decision-making in complex and sensitive situations.
  
  

Success measures

• Successful management of complex employee relations cases.
• Positive and constructive Works Council relationships.
• Reduced litigation risk and high standards of policy compliance.
• Effective implementation of organisational change.
• Successful negotiation of Works Council agreements.
• Improved manager and P&C capability.
  
  

Privacy

The Castrol entity recruiting for this role is the data controller for the personal information you provide. We use it to assess your application and to manage the recruitment and onboarding process. We may share it with service providers who support our recruitment, and it may be transferred to other Castrol entities internationally under appropriate safeguards. We keep it only for as long as necessary. For details of how we use your information and your data protection rights, contact [email protected].

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, socioeconomic status, neurodiversity/neurocognitive functioning, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to Castrol recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.).

If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks.