Employee Relations Manager

Join our team at AMGEN Capability Center Portugal, number 1 company in Best Workplaces ranking in Portugal in 2024 (category employees) by the Great Place to Work Institute. We have a team of over 500 talented people and more than 40 different nationalities, diverse areas of expertise and professional experience that are shaping the future of healthcare. This is your chance to explore a world of opportunities in different areas such as Cybersecurity, Data & Analytics, Digital, Technology and Innovation, Finance, General & Admin, Human Resources, Regulatory Affairs and many more. In Lisbon's city center, our AMGEN office fosters innovation, excellence, and inspiration. Come thrive with us at AMGEN, supporting our mission To Serve Patients. What we do at AMGEN matters in people's lives.

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS MANAGER

LIVE

WHAT WILL YOU DO

The Employee Relations (ER) Manager is responsible for conducting HR investigations, providing staff relations guidance and support to managers and colleagues across AMGEN's ELMAC region.

In their investigator role, the Employee Relations Manager conducts thorough, impartial, and timely investigations into potential breaches of HR policies, including allegations of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct, or other inappropriate behaviour involving employees across the ELMAC region.

In their staff relations capacity, the Employee Relations Manager acts as a trusted adviser to leaders on a broad range of employee relations matters, including performance management, behaviour and capability issues, disciplinary and grievance cases, workplace adjustments, and conflict resolution. They provide practical advice and coaching to people leaders on the fair and consistent application of policies and procedures, enabling them to manage employee issues confidently and appropriately.

The Employee Relations Manager reports to the Regional Employee Relations Lead. Employee Relations is a specialised HR function that partners closely with people leaders, Compliance, Legal (both in-house and external), and HR partners to protect AMGEN's values, investigate potential breaches of HR policy, and provide practical guidance on managing performance, conduct, and behaviours. The team advises on disciplinary and grievance matters, involuntary terminations, and workplace adjustments, ensuring that all actions are consistent, compliant, and aligned with Amgen's culture of respect and integrity.

The responsibilities of the role will include:

• Conduct and/or lead thorough, timely, and impartial HR investigations across the ELMAC region, involving employees at all levels of the organisation. Maintain confidentiality and sensitivity to all issues, ensuring investigations are objective and respectful.
• Prepare professional, well-documented investigation records, including investigation plans, interview notes, and summaries.
• Present investigation findings to HR colleagues, Legal partners, and business leaders clearly, concisely, and objectively.
• Create and maintain strong relationships with key partners across the ELMAC region.
• Provide people leaders with expert advice and practical guidance on employee relations matters, including performance management, behavioural concerns, disciplinary and grievance issues, and conflict resolution.
• Partner with local HR Business Partners to provide counsel on complex employee relations issues and ensure consistency across countries.
• Participate in, or provide guidance for, performance, disciplinary, or termination discussions with employees and people leaders, as required.
• Promote a positive and productive working environment by responding to employee concerns, addressing issues proactively, and advising leadership on standard processes.
• Record and manage all cases accurately within Amgen's case management systems, ensuring data integrity and chipping in to regional reporting and insights.
• Support the Employee Relations Regional Lead with the implementation of the regional Employee Relations Centre of Excellence (COE) model for ELMAC, contributing to the alignment and standardisation of ER processes and the continuous improvement of practices across the region.
• Collaborate with the Employee Relations Lead, regional HR, Compliance, and Learning and Development to design and deliver training on key HR policies, procedures, and the mechanisms for reporting suspected breaches.
• Use ER case data and insights to identify emerging trends, risks, and opportunities to strengthen workplace culture and manager capability.

WIN

WHAT WE EXPECT OF YOU

Our ideal candidate is a great teammate with a customer focus and a problem-solving and result-oriented attitude. You are able to handle multiple tasks, prioritizing them in a logical manner.

Minimum requirements

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) and at least five years' experience in Employee/Staff Relations or HR Investigations.
• Solid understanding of European employment laws and related.
• HR practices, with awareness of employment frameworks across other ELMAC markets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to understand and implement company policy, investigation procedures, and regulatory requirements fairly and consistently.
• Fluent in English.

Preferred requirements

• Experience of engaging with works councils, unions, and other employee representative bodies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, collaboration, and project-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple cases and projects, and to prioritise effectively while maintaining attention to detail.
• Capacity to identify potential HR, Compliance, or Legal risks within complex casework and escalate appropriately.
• Skilled at managing difficult conversations and conducting objective, non-confrontational interviews, while handling sensitive matters with fairness, empathy, and professionalism, and demonstrating resilience and composure under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement, operate independently, and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to influence and coach people leaders to build capability and manage employee issues effectively.
• Experience working across different countries and cultures, with a commitment to understanding local employment practices and cultural norms.
• Demonstrated change agility and experience supporting process improvement or COE standardisation initiatives.
• Additional fluency in other ELMAC languages — such as French, German, Arabic, or Portuguese — is desirable.

THRIVE

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT OF US

• As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also care deeply for our teammates' well-being and growth.
• Vast opportunities to learn, develop, and move up and across our global organization.
• Diverse and inclusive community of belonging, where colleagues are empowered to bring ideas to the table, take risks, and act. Generous AMGEN Total Rewards Plan comprising healthcare, finance, wealth, and career benefits.
• Flexible work arrangements.

APPLY NOW

Objects in your future are closer than they appear. Join us.

CAREERS.AMGEN.COM

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

AMGEN is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider you without regard to your race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

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