HR Transition/Integration Lead

Job Introduction

Serco GmbH has established itself as a strong service provider in the German market, delivering high-quality engineering, technical, and management services across a variety of sectors. Serco’s comprehensive service portfolio, backed by decades of experience, ensures operational excellence and efficiency, making it a trusted partner for both commercial and governmental clients in Germany. This strong foundation allows Serco GmbH to drive innovation and deliver value across the industry.

We’re looking for a HR Transition/Integration Lead, to reinforce the team in our Germany office!

The post holder will be responsible for the successful transition and integration of a new business into Serco Europe, post-acquisition. The role will be required to work closely with the incumbent’s management team to investigate the complexity, liability and risks associated with the acquisition in line with the company’s governance and internal frameworks.

The role will be required to work closely with the Serco and new organisations HR teams to manage and support initiatives across the business to drive not only integration but support the delivery of shareholder value.

Main Responsibilities

As HR Transition/Integration Lead you will be responsible for:

• Work with the People Director and with other functional business areas to ensure a successful joined up project approach and delivery with the objective of continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.
• Understand, own and be a passionate role model for Serco values and ensure they are fully embraced across the business.
• Manage, evaluate, and deliver the HR transition/integration project plan to ensure delivery of key activities.
• Engage with the key stakeholders regularly and keep them apprised on project progress as well as any issues.
• Assess all liabilities and risks related to the acquisition and alignment with Serco ways of working. (e.g. potential redundancies, pension liabilities, disability, outstanding entitlements, legal proceedings, health & safety requirements).
• Working with the Divisional IR Director and Legal Counsel develop a proactive plan to implement a European Works Council, if required.
• Ensure all risks/issues identified, via the due diligence exercise, are included on the plan and tracked to resolution.
• Lead an audit approach across each country to ensure adherence to governance and local legislation.
• Work closely with the acquisitions equivalent HR lead to ensure complete integration of activity across both businesses.
• Supports the implementation of Serco’s employee engagement initiatives across the business to drive a culture of exceptional customer service.
• Review risks in relation to payroll activity and ensure each country is fully compliant with local tax and social security measures.
• Ensures compliance to European standards and employment legislation, mitigating and managing risk and liabilities in the supply of people and services into differing European jurisdictions.
• Review existing disciplinary/grievance/absence procedures and ensure compliant with Serco standards.
• Work closely with the Programme Director to ensure all project tasks, risks and issues are understood and integrated into the wider plan. Any liabilities are understood and managed.
• Direct the implementation of appropriate training plans at different levels to successfully ensure delivery of the acquisition.
• Work in partnership with HR across both organisations to ensure successful delivery of the plan.
• Ensure that key regular reports on people management performance are produced in a timely manner.

Successful Candidate

Do you think you are the candidate we are looking for? See below what experience or knowledge you should bring:

Qualifications:

• Graduate calibre.

Knowledge:

• Generalist background having managed at an operational level in a substantial customer centric organisation.
• Good knowledge of local employment legislation (focus on Switzerland and Germany; but any experience in Austria and Italy would be an advantage).
• Experience with local authorities for tax and social security audits.

Skills:

• Experience of managing and deploying projects.
• Experience of delivering change in complex and demanding environments.
• Strongly values led individual with excellent judgement and decision-making skills.
• Self-aware yet highly resilient individual capable of challenging and being challenged.
• Ability to demonstrate high degree of confidentiality.
• Ability to lead “team” through change.

Experience:

• Experience of previous M&A transition/integration projects is essential
• Experience of operating within local employment law.
• Experience of managing with works council representatives.
• Experience of “hands on delivery” of HR services is essential.
• Experience of managing through change management processes is essential.

Additional / Special Features of the role :

• Fluent German and English (both written and verbal) is essential for the role. Fluency in other languages would be an advantage.
• Some travel in countries in which business operates and across wider European business may be required.

About the Company

Why should you join Serco?

At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play.

Meaningful and vital work - You’ll contribute to methodologically intercepting challenges whilst achievements will also be recognised and celebrated.

A world of opportunity - You’ll be wholeheartedly supported with development and career progression.

Great people - You’ll become an integral member of a well-defined and supportive team who believe passionately in the value of our work. We are a company passionate about diversity and inclusion.

We are a diverse and inclusive organisation

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential and we are committed to supporting the needs of all our colleagues. It’s a mix of people from different backgrounds, experiences and opinion that keeps our culture strong and vibrant.

We believe in equity so we strongly encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their abilities in an interview. We also welcome a conversation about any adjustments that would make the interview process more accessible for you. Wherever possible we are open to discussions around flexible working and we operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas.

In the UK we are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader in the government’s scheme and hold the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard; in Belgium we are partner of Diversicom and member of Charter der Vielfalt in Germany.

Important

Any offer of employment is contingent upon you providing documents to verify your identity and employment eligibility, as required by law.