Employee Relations Specialist

A.P. Moller - Maersk; Madrid; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Maersk is seeking an experienced Employee Relations Specialist to partner with business leaders and People Function teams across Spain. You will develop and implement employee and labour relations strategies aligned with priorities, and provide pragmatic, compliant ER advice in a complex logistics environment.

You will lead investigations, manage whistleblowing and workplace conduct cases, and build strong relationships with works councils and unions while supporting transformations and

Qualifications

• Degree in Law, Human Resources, Industrial Relations or related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of Spanish employment and labour law.
• 7-10+ years of experience in Employee Relations, Labour Relations, Employment Law or Industrial Relations.
• Experience supporting both corporate and operational workforces within logistics, transportation, manufacturing, industrial or similarly complex environments.
• Proven experience working with works councils, trade unions and employee representative bodies.
• Experience leading consultation processes, collective negotiations and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Strong experience managing complex employee relations cases and workplace investigations.
• Exceptional communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a matrixed, international organisation.
• Fluent English and Spanish, with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement employee and labour relations strategies aligned to business priorities.
• Partner with business leaders and HR teams to provide compliant and pragmatic ER advice.
• Lead complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary cases and investigations.
• Manage whistleblowing, ethics and workplace conduct cases with thorough investigations.
• Build relationships with works councils, unions and employee representatives.
• Lead information and consultation processes and labour relations initiatives.
• Support organizational transformations, restructurings and workforce planning activities.
• Ensure policies comply with Spanish labour legislation and collective bargaining obligations.
• Identify and mitigate employment and workforce risks across populations.
• Coach leaders on employee relations matters and performance management.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Employee relations expertise

Communication skills

Fluent English & Spanish

Education

Law/HR/IR degree

Job description

Location: Spain

Help us create a positive, compliant and high-performing workplace. At Maersk, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As we continue to transform global logistics, we are looking for an experienced Employee Relations Specialist to partner with our business leaders and People Function teams across Spain.

What You'll Be Doing

• Develop and implement employee and labour relations strategies aligned to business priorities and country people plans.
• Partner with business leaders and HR teams to provide pragmatic, commercially balanced and legally compliant employee relations advice.
• Lead complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary cases, grievances, investigations and conflict resolution.
• Manage whistleblowing, ethics and workplace conduct cases, ensuring fair and thorough investigations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with works councils, trade unions and employee representatives.
• Lead information and consultation processes, collective discussions and labour relations initiatives.
• Support organizational transformations, restructurings, workforce planning activities and business change programmes.
• Ensure employment policies and practices remain compliant with Spanish labour legislation and collective bargaining obligations.
• Identify and mitigate employment, labour relations and workforce risks across operational and corporate populations.
• Coach and develop leaders on employee relations matters, leadership accountability, performance management and workplace conduct.
• Promote a culture of inclusion, fairness, employee voice and responsible employment practices.
• Collaborate with regional and global stakeholders to ensure consistency of employee relations practices across the organisation.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for an experienced Employee Relations professional who combines strong technical expertise with excellent stakeholder management skills.

Essential Requirements

• Degree in Law, Human Resources, Industrial Relations or a related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of Spanish employment and labour law.
• 7-10+ years of experience in Employee Relations, Labour Relations, Employment Law or Industrial Relations.
• Experience supporting both corporate and operational workforces within logistics, transportation, manufacturing, industrial or similarly complex environments.
• Proven experience working with works councils, trade unions and employee representative bodies.
• Experience leading consultation processes, collective negotiations and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Strong experience managing complex employee relations cases and workplace investigations.
• Exceptional communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a matrixed, international organisation.
• Fluent English and Spanish, with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting organisational transformations, restructurings, site expansions, acquisitions or workforce planning initiatives.
• Exposure to contract logistics or labour-intensive operational environments.
• Additional European language skills would be advantageous, especially French.

What Success Looks Like

• Proactive management of employee and labour relations risk.
• Strong employee engagement and constructive social dialogue.
• Successful delivery of business transformation and people strategies.
• Positive relationships with works councils and trade unions.
• Legally compliant and commercially effective workforce solutions.
• Enhanced leadership capability in managing people matters.
• Sustainable workforce stability and operational continuity.

Why join us?

At Maersk, you'll have the opportunity to influence business decisions, shape employee relations strategy and support meaningful organisational transformation within one of the world's leading integrated logistics companies.

You'll work alongside talented colleagues in a collaborative, international environment where your expertise will directly contribute to creating a fair, compliant and high-performing workplace.

Ready to make an impact?

Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking.

Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.

We are happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. If you need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website, apply for a position, or to perform a job, please contact us by emailing [e-mail].