Director of People & Culture (m/f/d)

Our purpose is to bring hope to life by enabling life-changing therapies for patients around the globe, creating a healthier and happier tomorrow. Our mission is to work side by side with our customers in order to improve patients’ lives by bringing new biopharmaceuticals to market.

AGC Biologics is seeking a highly experienced, energetic and hands-on Director of People & Culture to drive and administer the P&C initiatives and activities of a biologics manufacturing facility in Heidelberg, Germany. The successful candidate will report to the EVP People & Culture with a dotted line to the Site Head/ General Manager. This position will be based in Heidelberg, Germany and requires a high on site presence.

As the Director P&C you operate at the Site Leadership Team and cover all P&C related topics. You are an integrated part of the functions and are visible and approachable for the stakeholders acting as a trusted advisor. You drive the P&C agenda and governance in your area supporting the success of the business both at a strategic and operational level. A successful candidate will be just as comfortable formulating and driving P&C strategy as administering and performing hands-on work.

Principal Responsibilities

• Serve as the onsite Director People & Culture responsible for full cycle recruitment, new hire onboarding, answering benefit and payroll questions, employee relations, performance management, salary administration, training and development, employee communication, employee recognition, HRIS and regulatory compliance.
• Serve on the Global People & Culture Leadership Team, work closely with P&C leaders from other sites, assist with setting P&C strategy for the entire company, lead global P&C projects, and participate in weekly meetings.
• Function as the expert on organizational issues and serve as trusted advisor and business partner to site leadership team.
• Leading and coaching a small P&C Team.
• Develop a strong partnership with the key stakeholders and German works council in order to support the business growth, strategy and success in Heidelberg.
• Work closely with the site leaders to identify, develop and retain key talent.
• Implement a culture that drives employee engagement, management accountability, team collaboration, innovation and creativity, ethical values and company vision/ mission.
• Promote and establish a positive employer-employee relationship and promote high-level of employee morale. Foster an environment that promotes AGC’s core values.
• Work closely with the site leaders to identify, develop and retain key talent.
• Coach and counsel managers and employees regarding employee relations matters and labor law related topics.
• Provide both strategic and hands on expertise/ knowledge with operational policies and labor law practices in Germany (work contracts, regulations, payroll etc.)
• Proactively seek out knowledge of industry best practices, legal developments, emerging trends, technological advancements and benchmark comparisons.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Experience. Seasoned HR professional with broad knowledge of full cycle recruiting, new hire onboarding, employment law, benefits, compensation, organizational planning and development, employee relations, training and development. Track record of shaping and driving a positive culture in a high growth, fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Results Orientation. Knows how to get things done in an effective, efficient manner with available resources in a fast-paced environment. Plans and prioritizes work on schedule. Maintains a sense of urgency in accomplishing work. Strives to improve company and individual performance.
• Ownership. Takes personal responsibility, leads by example and is conscientious. Demonstrates initiative and is committed to and enthusiastic about achieving company success. Servant Leadership mindset.
• Decision Making. Makes timely and sound decisions based on a combination of analysis, experience and judgement. Consults others, as appropriate. Understands and takes into consideration how decisions impact others.
• Customer Focus/ Teamwork. Develops and maintains adequate customer satisfaction levels with internal and external audiences. Demonstrates a bias toward service, quality and teamwork. Build constructive and effective working relationships. Is committed to the success of all stakeholders.
• Communication. Cultivates a culture of openness and information sharing. Demonstrates integrity and honesty in all communication. Is willing to “speak the truth” and advocate positions even when unpopular. Provides constructive feedback.
  
  

Education/ Experience

• Master’s degree in human resources, business or related field, minimum 10 years’ experience with P&C business partnering and/or as P&C Director with a background in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology or life science industry highly desirable.
• Have successfully managed P&C activities and programs in international or matrix organizations.
• It is important that you have a structured and analytical mindset and are able to deliver on the operational People agenda while keeping a long-term focus.
• You thrive in dynamic environments by influencing change and transformation in a rapid growth path.
• Strong understanding of HR practices and German labor laws.
• Good working knowledge of Workday and Excel is required.
• Fluency in German and English is a requirement.
  
  

Our culture at AGC Biologics is defined by the six core values: Knowledge, Trust, Quality, Ingenuity, Accountability and Teamwork. Our core values stem from our team members and are embedded into our DNA. They provide a common language and understanding of how we as an organization are connected across three continents. Our core values serve as a compass and reminder of how we achieve our purpose of bringing hope to life for patients around the globe.

AGC Biologics is a leading global biopharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with a strong commitment to delivering the highest standard of service as we work side-by-side with our clients and partners, every step of the way. We provide world-class development and manufacture of mammalian and microbial-based therapeutic proteins, plasmid DNA (pDNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), viral vectors, and genetically engineered cells. Our global network spans the U.S., Europe, and Asia, with cGMP-compliant facilities in Seattle, Washington; Boulder and Longmont, Colorado; Copenhagen, Denmark; Heidelberg, Germany; Milan, Italy; and Chiba, Japan. We currently employ more than 2,500 employees worldwide. Our commitment to continuous innovation fosters the technical creativity to solve our clients’ most complex challenges, including specialization in fast-track projects and rare diseases. AGC Biologics is the partner of choice. To learn more, visit www.agcbio.com.  Want to keep posted about our growth and learn more about our company? Follow us on LinkedIn and give us a quick Like on Facebook!

AGC Biologics offers a highly competitive compensation package and a friendly, collaborative culture that values personal initiative and professional achievement. AGC Biologics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.