Country HR Director Germany (m/f/d)

At Abbott, we're committed to helping people live their best possible life through the power of health. For more than 125 years, we've brought new products and technologies to the world in nutrition, diagnostics, medical devices and branded generic pharmaceuticals that create more possibilities for more people at all stages of life. Today, 114,000 of us are working to help people live not just longer, but better, in the more than 160 countries we serve.

Abbott is looking to recruit a

Country HR Director Germany (m/f/d)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced, empathetic, and strategically minded HR leader to drive our people agenda in Germany. As our , you will shape a modern, inclusive, and trust‑based work environment that empowers our employees and supports our long‑term business success.

This role partners with business leaders and global HR teams to align people strategies with business objectives, drive organizational effectiveness, and ensure compliance with German labor laws. This position plays a critical role in shaping the employee experience, influencing senior leadership decisions, and building HR capability to support Abbott’s long-term growth.

This key leadership role is ideal for individuals with strong relationship‑building skills, a structured and solution‑oriented approach, and a passion for working with international, diverse internal and external stakeholders.

Your Responsibilities

Strategic HR Leadership

• Develop and implement a forward‑looking People & Culture strategy for the German organization

• Set the HR vision for Germany, positioning Abbott as an employer of choice and aligning people strategies with business objectives, local dynamics and global priorities

• Serve as a strategic sparring partner to the Senior Leadership Team on organizational and people‑related decisions. Partner with business and HR leaders to design and implement talent and organizational programs that ensure the right capabilities for delivering financial commitments, foster a culture of high performance and engagement, and build a sustainable talent bench for long-term growth

• Partner with Talent Acquisition and Learning & Development leaders to ensure strategies for recruitment, succession planning, and leadership development are aligned with business needs and effectively operationalized

• Drive organizational design, cultural transformation, and change management initiatives, applying best practices to ensure adoption and sustainability

• Ensure compliance with German employment law, manage complex works council and union matters, and mitigate risk across all HR activities

• Leverage HR technology and analytics to enable data-driven decision-making, enhance employee experience, and communicate insights through clear visualization and storytelling

• Build and develop HR capability, fostering collaboration across HR communities and providing coaching to HR staff and business leaders to deliver integrated, high-quality services

• Foster a high‑performance, diverse, and engaged company culture

Leadership & Coaching

• Lead, mentor, and develop a skilled HR team

• Promote a collaborative and respectful working style

• Coach leaders on change, leadership effectiveness, and people‑related topics

Your Profile

Professional Skills

• Extensive experience in a senior HR leadership role, ideally within an international environment

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field; advanced degree preferred

• 10+ years of progressive HR leadership experience in multinational environments

• In‑depth expertise in German employment law and co‑determination structures. Proven track record in works council collaboration and negotiation management

• Strong business acumen and experience managing budgets and headcount planning

Personal Strengths

• Excellent interpersonal skills, empathy, and strong communication

• Strategic thinker with a hands‑on, solution‑driven mindset

• Passion for modern people management, organizational development, and change initiatives

• High integrity, sound judgment, and willingness to shape and drive transformation

What We Offer

We provide

• an environment that is particularly appealing to candidates who value personal and international development, and the opportunity to create meaningful impact

• a purpose driven culture, committed to enabling people to live their life to the fullest

• a culture of appreciation, transparency, and open communication

• a company committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion

• compensation and social benefits with a focus on a long-term career

Interested?

We look forward to hearing from you!