Regional People Partner

KAYAK, part of Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG), is the world’s leading travel search engine. With billions of queries across our platforms, we help people find their perfect flight, stay, rental car and vacation package. We’re also transforming business travel with a new corporate travel solution, KAYAK for Business.

As an employee of KAYAK, you will be part of a travel company that operates a portfolio of global metasearch brands including momondo, Cheapflights and HotelsCombined, among others. From start-up to industry leader, innovation is in our DNA and every employee has an opportunity to make their mark. Our focus is on building the best travel search engine to make it easier for everyone to experience the world.

As Regional People Partner, you are the local German expert, supporting the organization operationally, offering strong partnership and mentorship to global People Business Partners, leadership, and employees.

The role requires a deep understanding of local legislation and employment practices, alongside a clear picture of the global People agenda - ensuring partnership and alignment with the Global Business Partners and the overall company vision.

This role is required to work from our Berlin office at least 2-3 days per week.

In this role, you will:

• Serve as the main point of contact for managers and employees in Germany, building trust-based relationships and implementing People & Culture initiatives (~110 employees across 5 departments).
• Utilize expert knowledge of regional legislation to provide advice and support while mitigating legal risks.
• Address complex employee relations and performance issues in collaboration with Legal, focusing on positive outcomes.
• Coach and advise managers on various employee topics including but not limited to: compensation, performance, development, management and leadership style, career growth and compliance.
• Provide expertise to local talent planning - considering talent acquisition, employee development & retention efforts.
• Partner with our Business Partners to identify team needs and implement strategies that align with company goals.
• Proactively collaborate with cross functional P&C teams to meet organizational needs and ensure regional compliance, especially as there are updates to local legislation.
• Proactively work with colleagues across the local and global P&C Operations team to ensure regional compliance, , especially as changes to local legislation roll out, and enabling a high HR service delivery
• Ensure all policies are regularly reviewed and legislative changes are sent through to the P&C Operations team on in a timely manner
• Partner with the wider P&C team to manage cyclical processes such as engagement surveys, performance management, and facilitating training sessions.
• Drive improvements in the P&C function, support organizational changes and restructuring and conduct legal investigations as necessary.
• Collaborate with globally distributed teams to achieve company objectives.

Pleas apply if you have:

• At least 6 years of demonstrable experience working in Human Resources with a dynamic background
• Expert knowledge of current German employment legislation and an ability to apply this knowledge to real life employee issues.
• Experience working for a global company in the technology sector
• Ability to work independently and be proactive in a high performance environment.
• Possess a solid sense of ownership and accountability.
• A collaborator who acts with a proactive drive and adapts to a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• A client service bias, meeting and anticipating employee needs.
• Ability to use data to tell a story and support P&C initiatives.
• Patience in sticky situations and resolving issues with clarity and discretion.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong coaching skills and experience in guiding employees through various HR processes.
• Superb communication skills and serve as an ambassador for the P&C Team..
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Responsiveness and a focus on quality.
• Fluency in both the English and German language

Are you a relationship driven HR professional with a passion for driving positive outcomes for both the business and its employees? Join us an encouraging a supportive and growing work environment for our team and employees!

Benefits and Perks

• Work from (almost) anywhere for up to 20 days per year
• Focus on mental health and well-being:
  • Company-paid therapy sessions through SpringHealth
  • Company-paid subscription to HeadSpace
  • Company-wide week off a year - the whole team fully recharges (and returns without a pile-up of work!)
  • No meeting Fridays
• Paid parental leave
• Generous paid vacation + time off for your birthday
• Paid volunteer time
• Focus on your career growth:
  • Development Dollars
  • Leadership development
  • Access to thousand of on-demand e-learnings
• Travel Discounts
• Employee Resource Groups
• 6 weeks paid vacation
• Free lunch 2 days per week
• Pension plan contributions
• Public transportation subsidies
• Bike leasing program
• Monthly social events, massages, Thursday happy hours, sports teams
• A fantastic office in Friedrichshain, Berlin

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At OpenTable/KAYAK, we aspire to be a workplace that fosters inclusion and reflects the diverse communities we serve. Hiring people with different backgrounds and perspectives is critical to innovation and to how we deliver great experiences for our users, partners, and teams. We strive to be an open and welcoming environment so that no matter who you are, you can be yourself.

We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform job responsibilities, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation(s).