Employee Relations & Labour Law Advisor (Freelance optional)

📋 Tasks and responsibilities

This is a senior, hands-on advisory role that brings together employee relations, Belgian labour law expertise and change management support within the Belgium ER function.

You work closely with HR, business leadership and relevant internal stakeholders to support organizational change and ensure legally sound people-related decisions.

• Provide strategic legal advice on change initiatives, reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions, site closures and other structural changes in Belgium.
• Support HR and business leaders during consultation processes, including the preparation of social plans and alignment with applicable labour regulations.
• Develop and implement employee relations strategies in line with Belgian labour law and applicable collective labour agreements.
• Advise on complex or high-risk cases involving disciplinary matters, grievances, social disputes, conflict resolution and terminations.
• Ensure consistent and compliant application of HR policies and collective labour agreements across Belgian sites.
• Handle recurring employee relations topics, including day-to-day questions related to collective labour agreements.
• Support employee representative body processes at Belgian and European level.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of robust HR and employee relations policies.
• Track changes in Belgian and EU labour law, social legislation and social security topics, and translate them into practical guidance, templates, advisory notes and internal tools.
• Deliver focused training to HR colleagues and managers on labour law, internal policies and employee relations practices.
• Contribute to transformation projects with a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach and strong stakeholder management.

📝 Your profile

• Deep expertise in Belgian labour law, social relations and employment legislation.
• Strong experience in employee relations and social dialogue, including interactions with trade unions and employee representative bodies.
• Proven background in change management and strategic advisory within complex organizational environments.
• Ability to interpret complex legal texts and turn them into clear, practical business solutions.
• Experience engaging senior business leaders, HR leadership and other key stakeholders.
• Solid project management skills, supported by certification or demonstrable hands-on experience.
• Experience in manufacturing, industrial or unionized environments is strongly preferred.
• Master's degree in Law in Belgium, or equivalent through relevant expertise and professional experience.
• Dutch at native level and English at professional working proficiency are mandatory; French is an asset.
• Availability for onsite presence in Brussels three days per week.

💼 Offer

You will be part of a growing Belgian SME where initiative and personal development are encouraged. We will provide you with an enjoyable work environment with fun colleagues. We will work out a career plan with you, with attention and a budget for extra education/certification. You can count on an attractive salary, supplemented with extra-legal benefits, including a company car.
(Freelance is also possible)