Executive Director, HR Lead Germany

Mainz, Germany | full time | Job ID: 11872

About the Role:

As Executive Director, HR Lead Germany at BioNTech, you will shape and lead our German HR organization and drive a people agenda that supports our R&D, manufacturing and corporate functions. Working closely with business leaders, global People teams and employee representatives, you will strengthen organizational effectiveness, build leadership capability and enhance the employee experience across our German sites.

Your Contribution:

Establish and Lead HR Germany

• Evolve and lead an effective country HR organization, with clear accountabilities and interfaces across the broader People function.
• Define and deliver the Germany people agenda, providing strategic HR advice across R&D, manufacturing and corporate functions.
• Maintain a visible presence and ensure consistent HR support across German sites and employee populations.

Shape the Country HR Operating Model

• Lead the transition from a headquarters-centric model toward clear country and global HR accountabilities.
• Establish effective governance and ways of working across HR Germany, global HR Business Partners, Centers of Excellence and People Services.
• Represent Germany in global HR decisions and potentially assume responsibility for selected additional European markets.

Lead Employee Relations and Co-determination

• Develop a progressive employee-relations strategy in close partnership with the Labour Law team.
• Build constructive relationships with local and central works councils, based on transparency, trust and regular dialogue.
• Lead significant negotiations and guide organizational change through Germany’s co-determination framework.

Strengthen Organizational Effectiveness and Performance

• Partner leaders on organizational design, workforce planning, talent, leadership and performance.
• Strengthen performance management in Germany, addressing current barriers and building alignment with employee representatives.
• Translate global people programs into the German context and use people insights to identify priorities and risks.

Build Leadership Capability and Employee Experience

• Partner with members of the HR Germany team, creating a collaborative, accountable and business-oriented culture.
• Strengthen the local employee experience and BioNTech’s attractiveness as an employer.
• Contribute to global People projects and the continued development of the HR organization.

A Good Match:

• Extensive senior HR leadership experience in Germany (15+ yrs.), including responsibility for a country HR organization, ideally in an international biotech/life sciences industry
• A strong track record of developing and delivering people strategies across diverse business functions; experience in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals or another regulated industry is an advantage.
• Deep knowledge of German employee relations, labour law and co-determination, with demonstrated experience in (groups) works council partnerships and complex negotiations.
• Proven ability to design and evolve HR operating models and establish clear responsibilities across country teams, global HR Business Partners, Centers of Excellence and shared services.
• Demonstrated expertise in organizational design, workforce planning, talent and leadership development, and performance management.
• Experience leading organizational change in an international, matrixed environment, balancing global priorities with local business and regulatory requirements.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to build high-performing teams, advise senior executives and foster trust with employee representatives.
• A strategic, business-oriented and data-informed approach, combined with the ability to translate priorities into practical execution.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills in German and English.

Your Benefits:

It's our priority to support you:

• Your flexibility: flexible hours | vacation account
• Your growth: Digital Learning | Performance & talent development | leadership development | Apprenticeships | LinkedIn Learning
• Your value: Your voice at the table | Culture on an equal footing | Opportunities to shape & impact | Support for your full potential
• Your health and lifestyle: Company bike
• Your mobility: Job ticket | Deutschlandticket
• Your life phases: Employer-funded pension | Childcare

Apply now - We look forward to your application!

Apply to our Mainz, Germanylocation by sending us your documents via our online form. For any questions, contact our talent acquisition team on: + 49 (0) 6131-9084-1291 (Monday-Friday from 1 PM to 3 PM CET).

Job ID 11872 (please always specify if you have any questions)

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that a background check will be conducted as part of the recruitment process in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. If you are considered for the position, BioNTech will conduct the background check through our service provider ‘HireRight’. You will be informed accordingly by your BioNTech-Recruiter.

Note for applications within Europe: Please note that if you wish to claim travel expenses incurred in connection with an in-person interview, we are obliged to carry out a sanctions list check*. This is carried out by our partner, HireRight. Travel expenses will only be reimbursed if this sanctions list check does not yield any matches. Reimbursement can be made provided that the check is successfully completed.

* Your first name, surname and date of birth will be processed for the sanctions list check. The legal basis for carrying out the sanctions list check for positions at BioNTech in Europe is BioNTech’s legitimate interest. Please note that BioNTech will not carry out the sanctions list check if no travel expenses are to be reimbursed. If you do not give BioNTech your consent to the sanctions list check, your travel expenses cannot be reimbursed. This will not affect your application.