Associate Relations Manager

AniCura is a leading provider of veterinary care in Europe. Our company was born out of the philosophy that sharing resources can create opportunities for better veterinary care and outcomes. Our services include a wide range of high-quality medical services covering preventive and basic health care as well as specialized care, including advanced diagnostics, internal medicine, intensive care, surgery, and orthopaedics. We also provide rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and dietary advice and offers selected pet food and care products. AniCura’s network includes 500 clinics across 17 countries in Europe, providing over 4.5 million high-quality pet consultations each year. AniCura has been part of Mars Veterinary Health since 2018. Mars Veterinary Health comprises a network of more than 3,000 clinics worldwide taking care of more than 25 million pets every year. Together, we are able to provide the highest standards in pet care and achieve our collective purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. For more information, please visit our website Note : If interested, please submit your CV in English. About MVH Europe: Mars Veterinary Health (MVH) Europe is a family of leading veterinary care providers committed to creating a better world for pets. Our network includes trusted brands such as AniCura and Linnaeus, operating over 500 animal hospitals and clinics across 17 European countries. Together, our teams deliver high-quality, modern veterinary care for companion animals, ensuring peace of mind for pet owners through excellent access and patient safety. AniCura, our largest brand in Europe, provides care to over three million patients each year through 12,500 dedicated professionals. Linnaeus, operating primarily in the UK and Ireland, is home to over 6,000 Associates empowered to deliver exceptional care through a culture of collaboration, clinical excellence, and continuous development. At MVH Europe, we prioritize a culture of accountability, inclusion, and wellbeing. We believe our purpose — to make A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS — starts with building a better world for our people. We support our teams through strong governance, comprehensive wellbeing programs, and a shared passion for delivering exceptional outcomes in veterinary care. Role Overview: This role sits within the MVH Europe People & Organisation function and operates across veterinary and support services within a complex, multi-site and unionised environment. The Associate Relations Manager plays a critical role in balancing associate advocacy with operational, legal, and commercial priorities, ensuring decisions align with Mars values and local regulatory requirements. The role supports organisational effectiveness by advising on workforce transitions, organisational design considerations, and cross-functional initiatives, while enabling consistent, fair, and compliant associate relations practices across the Operating Unit. Key Responsibilities: • Coach P&O Business Partners and people managers on associate relations practices, conflict management, policy application, and ethical decision making. • Design and deliver training sessions, workshops, and practical tools to improve consistency and confidence in handling people issues. • Promote an associate first mindset supported by strong emotional intelligence and professionalism. Policy, Compliance & Insights • Maintain expert knowledge of Italian labour law, union obligations, and regulatory requirements, ensuring ongoing compliance. • Partner with Legal and Risk teams to update policies and frameworks in response to regulatory or business changes. • Track external labour relations and regulatory developments to drive proactive prevention and continuous improvement. Stakeholder Collaboration • Build trusted relationships with managers, associates, senior leaders, Legal, Compensation, and external agencies. • Collaborate across Mars Veterinary Health banners and global teams to share best practices and ensure alignment. • Represent the Operating Unit in external discussions with regulatory or government bodies when required. Summary of the Role: • Job Title: Associate Relations Manager • Department: People & Organization • Reports to: Director, Associate Relations • Location: Milan, Italy • Contract: Full time • Languages: Italian and English (additional European languages advantageous) Education & Professional Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Law, or related discipline preferred. • Relevant certifications in employee relations, labour law, or P&O management are advantageous. Experience: • Minimum 5+ years of experience in associate relations and/or labour relations within a complex, regulated, or unionised environment. • Proven experience managing complex investigations and sensitive employee relations matters. • Strong knowledge of Italian employment law, collective agreements, compliance frameworks, and case documentation standards. • Demonstrated ability to coach leaders and influence outcomes with professionalism and integrity. • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including facilitation of training and difficult conversations. • High emotional intelligence, resilience, and sound judgement under pressure. • Experience analysing trends and data to identify systemic issues and improvement opportunities. • Experience with Workday or other P&O information systems is an advantage. • Fluency in Italian and English is required. Key Competencies: • Employee Relations & Conflict Resolution • Leadership & Coaching • Legal & Regulatory Compliance • Investigation & Analytical Thinking • Communication & Stakeholder Management • Process Improvement & Strategic Thinking Interested? Please contact Lekya Kanamarlapudi, Group Corporate Recruitment Partner who is happy to tell you more about this opportunity and the recruitment process. Or apply by submitting your resume through clicking the apply button below. MVHE is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds. Internal Candidates/Associates: If you are interested in this position, please reach out to the Corporate Recruiter to understand the internal recruitment Over the Christmas and New Year break, our hiring teams will be running a reduced service, so there may be a slight delay in getting back to you whilst our teams take a well-deserved break. Thanks for your patience and we hope you have a wonderful festive season