Associate Relations Partner - AniCura Iberia (Madrid)

We are looking for an Associate Relations Partner for Iberia to lead employee and labor relations. This role is key to ensuring a fair, compliant, and values-driven workplace, supporting both the business and our people.

You will support mainly Spain and Portugal working in a highly international and multicultural environment.

What you’ll do?

Labor Relations & Equality Plans (Key Responsibility)

• Lead labor relations strategy across assigned countries.

• Lead and manage relationships with trade unions, employee representatives and Works Councils.

• Lead collective bargaining negotiations, labor agreements and social dialogue processes.

• Own the end-to-end design, negotiation, implementation and monitoring of Equality Plans, ensuring legal compliance and successful execution across the organization.

• Advise leaders on organizational changes, restructures, transitions and exits.

• Partner with Legal and business leaders to assess and mitigate labor risks.

Employee Relations

• Advise managers and People & Organization teams on best practices.

• Manage complex and high-risk workplace investigations.

• Support leaders on performance management, disciplinary actions and terminations.

• Analyze trends and recommend improvements to policies and practices.

• Ensure compliance with local labor laws.

Capability Building

• Coach managers and leaders on employee relations, labor relations and conflict resolution.

• Deliver training, workshops and tools to strengthen people management capabilities.

• Promote an associate-first mindset and high emotional intelligence.

Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure policies and practices are compliant and up to date across countries.

• Partner with Legal and Risk teams.

• Use data and insights to drive continuous improvement and proactive solutions.

What we're looking for?

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration, Law, Labor Relations or related field.

• Proven experience leading collective bargaining negotiations with trade unions and employee representatives.

• Strong hands-on experience in the design, negotiation, implementation and follow-up of Equality Plans.

• Deep knowledge of Spanish labor legislation related to collective bargaining, employee representation and equality regulations.

• Experience in complex, regulated and unionized environments.

• Strong knowledge of employment law (international exposure is a plus).

• Excellent communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.

• High emotional intelligence and resilience.

• Fluency in English (C1-C2 level).

• ✈️ Willingness to travel nationally and internationally up to 40% of the time.