HR Operations Lead (m/f/d)

The HR Operations Lead plays a key role in taking our existing HR processes to the next stage of growth. While core structures and workflows are already in place, this role ensures they become lean, scalable, data-reliable, and fit for a multi-country setup. Reporting directly to the Head of HR, the HR Operations Lead drives operational excellence across 11 European countries, safeguards high-quality execution, and enables smooth, compliant, and efficient HR service delivery as we scale.

• Steer and coordinate HR Operations across 10 European countries, ensuring standardized processes, high data accuracy, compliant execution, and smooth cross-country collaboration
• Act as the central operational HR contact and trusted partner to the Head of HR, supporting complex cases and relieving day-to-day operational workload
• Lead, develop, and prioritize the HR Operations Specialist and Payroll Specialist, ensuring quality standards, efficient collaboration, and continuous upskilling
• Design, implement, and continuously optimize lean end-to-end HR core processes (including Payroll), ensuring accuracy, compliance, scalability, and structural improvements
• Own and govern HR policies, guidelines, SOPs, documentation standards, and operational controls, ensuring legal compliance and consistent company-wide communication
• Drive HRIS (Personio) administration and optimization, including system configuration, workflows, data integrity, KPI monitoring (speed, accuracy, SLA), and operational performance improvements
• Act as key interface to Finance, IT, Legal, and country teams, ensuring cross-functional alignment, audit readiness, data protection compliance, and clear communication of operational changes

• 5+ years of experience in HR Operations, HR Administration, or HR Core Processes. Experience in international or fast-scaling companies is an advantage
• Leadership experience with the ability to guide, develop, and coach team members
• Strong process design and optimization skills, with the ability to create workflows and structures from scratch
• Deep understanding of HR operations, including payroll interfaces, HR data management, employee lifecycle operations, and compliance
• Very good payroll knowledge, including collaboration with external payroll providers and understanding of regulatory frameworks
• Excellent organizational and analytical abilities, with a hands-on, pragmatic approach
• Strong communication skills, able to translate complex structures into clear and user-friendly guidance
• High sense of ownership and reliability, combined with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Fluency in English and German, along with strong knowledge of Personio