Global HR Lead, Works Council Strategy

About us

One team. Global challenges. Infinite opportunities. At Viasat, we’re on a mission to deliver connections with the capacity to change the world. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the globe communicate. We’re looking for people who think big, act fearlessly, and create an inclusive environment that drives positive impact to join our team.

What you'll do

Viasat is seeking an experienced People, Brand & Culture Partner to lead engagement with our employee representative bodies globally. This role is a hybrid role working 3 or more days a week from our London office. This role will be focused on the planning, advising, and collaboration needed to foster positive relationships and drive productive outcomes between the Company and our various employee representative bodies. These include formal and informal works councils, elected employee representatives, employee forums, and unions.

You’ll play a key part in achieving our organizational objectives through guidance and coordination with business leaders; collaborative two‑way engagement between the business and our employee representative bodies; and effecting planning and coordination.

The day‑to‑day

• Focus on building and maintaining constructive relationships: Your success depends on building strong relationships with key members of the business, business partners, and our employee representatives – often balancing finding solutions to competing positions.
• Lead, Plan, and Coordinate Global Employee Representative Engagement: Engage with business leaders, P&C Business Partners, and employee representative body leaders to ensure timely and appropriate engagement between the Company and its employee representatives on relevant business and employment matters. Lead the planning and coordination of these engagements utilizing effective organization and communication skills.
• Lead with Credibility: Establish trust and confidence of business leaders, employee representatives, project leaders, P&C business partners, and other key stakeholders at all levels through advising, informing, challenging and facilitating discussions on a wide range of business and employee matters. Navigate difficult matters while maintaining strong relationships and handling conflict constructively.
• Lead or Support Projects and Initiatives: Contribute to the ongoing evolution and development of the organization and its people capabilities by leading or participating in wide‑ranging projects and initiatives affecting our employees. Work to ensure all projects and initiatives with implications for our employees properly consider, prepare and effectively engage with relevant employee representative bodies.
• Drive the Coordination of Multiple, Complex Business Activity Requiring Employee Representative Engagement: Confer with business and project leaders to understand business activities where employee representative engagement is appropriate. Ensure business understanding of any required actions. Coordinate timing and preparation of rep body engagement on these matters involving Regional Business Partners for relevant employee representative body(ies).
• Cultivate Communication and Collaboration: Create or contribute to internal communications tools and processes which ensure strong relationships with leaders and employees. Partner with business and employee leaders to proactively ensure information needs are met and work to resolve communication gaps.
• Thrive in a Dynamic Environment: Champion our culture, navigate ambiguity with confidence, and balance tactical and strategic needs in our rapidly evolving business. Support the Company as it completes its integration of Viasat + Inmarsat and the transformation of our Company operating model.
• Motivate and Inspire: Recognize and celebrate achievements, both big and small. Foster a positive and collaborative work environment that keeps teams engaged. Lead through challenges and setbacks, identifying solutions and support needed to enable success.

What you'll need

• A Bachelor's degree/diploma (or equivalent experience) is required, with 5 years of experience in the HR field in a global setting. Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• 3+ years of experience providing effective leadership and direction from a position of partnership.
• Deep understanding of the ever‑changing landscape of employment regulation, labor law, employee relations.
• Extensive employee relations experience within international organizations including engagement with unions, works councils, forums, and employee representative organizations.
• Experience with workplace investigations, privacy, grievances, performance, disciplinary matters and negotiations is a plus.
• Ability to build sustainable and trusting relationships with leaders and employees to understand and respond to employee needs.
• A business‑savvy HR professional with strong transformation and change experience, who demonstrates change agility and collaboration.
• Ability to translate cultural nuances into language with which the wider business can engage and operate, leveraging experience working with a diverse, global workforce.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and recommend solutions with a proactive problem‑solving approach and leveraging a strong understanding of HR functions.
• Track record of building trust and partnership across the business, becoming a champion for the People and Culture needs of the business.
• Planning, organization, critical thinking, and problem‑solving skills are critical to success.
• Approach your work with a "can‑do" attitude, streamlining processes, and proactively tackling challenges.
• Excel in written, verbal, and interpersonal communication, including negotiations, change management, influence, conflict resolution, and delivering compelling presentations.
• Project management skills and experience leading or contributing to people‑related projects from start to finish including contributing to the drafting, review, maintenance, and communication of HR policies and procedures which align with local employment laws and competitive practices.
• A keen interest in our business and the ability to learn new things quickly are crucial.
• Proficiency in MS Office and HR Information Systems.

What will help you on the job

• Experience working with HRIS, presentation and project planning systems including Workday, ServiceNow, Navex, OrgVue, Tempus or Monday.com.

At Viasat, we consider many factors when it comes to compensation, including the scope of the position as well as your background and experience. Base pay may vary depending on job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. Additional cash or stock incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered.

EEO Statement

Viasat is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, genetics, age, or veteran status or any other applicable legally protected status or characteristic.