Interim Labour Relations and Legal Leader

• We offer an 8-month project at a multinational Retail company - Madrid
• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in Labour Relations

Our Client it's an international fashion retail chain with over 100 years of history.

• Verify and align national topics with the European strategy and provide expertise in restructuring processes, including workforce reductions, ensuring compliance with applicable labour laws and collective agreements.


• Provide guidance and advanced education/training to the labour law specialists, HR Business Partners, and the senior leadership team to ensure labour law compliance.


• Verify and align national topics with the European strategy.


• Provide strategic and operational advice for the management/senior leadership team in terms of works councils and, if applicable, trade unions.


• Conduct negotiations and provide information within the different Works Councils and internal committees to support collaboration and decision-making.


• Manage and maintain a trustful and effective relationship with works councils and employee representatives, ensuring compliance with national and international labour laws, and internal policies.


• Execute negotiations with external lawyers to resolve disputes.


• Manage litigation at labour law courts to bring disputes to a resolution.


• Lead, coach, and develop the team to ensure performance and development.


• Ensure correct application and interpretation of collective agreements, with a particular focus on the Collective Agreement for Large Distribution Companies.


• Provide expert advice and execution support in restructuring processes, including layoffs and organisational changes.


• Collaborate with international HR and legal teams to address employment law matters across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring alignment with corporate policies and local regulations.

We offer an 8-month project (aprox.), starting in May.

Knowledge

• Expert knowledge of individual and collective labour law to provide guidance right on the spot.


• Expert knowledge of civil procedure law, negotiation, and litigation skills and tactics.


• Deep understanding of collective agreements, particularly the Collective Agreement for Large Distribution Companies.


• Knowledge of restructuring processes, including workforce reductions and their legal implications.

Capabilities

• Strong international mindset and ability to work with cross-border teams in Spain, Portugal, and Italy.


• Good interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships.


• Good analytical skills, with the ability to assess risks properly, simplify complex facts, and find pragmatic solutions.


• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to communicate conclusions, proposals, and recommendations in a quick, concise, and to-the-point manner.


• Flexible with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.


• Strong HR mindset, ensuring a people-centric approach while maintaining legal compliance.

Minimum Education

• Fully qualified lawyer

Minimum Experience and Required Skills

• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in labour relations within an HR department or as a labour lawyer in a multinational company in the retail or fashion sector.


• Experience working with restructuring processes, including workforce reductions.


• Proven ability to work across multiple jurisdictions and legal systems.


• Good English skills, oral and written.


• Good negotiation skills.


• Excellent Labour Law skills.