People Operations Specialist

We are seeking a People Operations Specialist (f/m/d) to play a central role in building and scaling our People & Culture function as we grow. This role is instrumental in managing payroll, contracts, mobility, compliance, and reporting, while also acting as a trusted partner to our leadership team. You will be responsible for ensuring operational excellence across core HR processes, building reliable and scalable People Operations systems, supporting employees and managers in a fast-moving, international environment, and reducing dependency on manual workflows as the company scales. The successful candidate will bring a blend of operational expertise, strategic partnership, process-building capabilities, and a people-centered approach to help us scale smoothly and sustainably. **To join our team, you should be excited to:** * Scale People Operations and Global Mobility to support rapid company growth. * Take ownership of payroll for NL and DE, while supporting cases involving international payroll. * Manage contract management, employee lifecycle processes, compliance, and employee administration within our HRIS. * Build reliable, scalable systems and reduce dependency on manual workflows for daily People Operations. * Stabilize and document core People Operations and Global Mobility processes, including developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). * Deliver reporting and analytics that inform decision-making, translate People data into meaningful insights, and shape company policies. * Partner with external experts (legal, insurance, accounting, relocation/visa specialists, payroll providers) to ensure smooth operations as the company scales. * Build strong collaboration with other People & Culture areas, including Talent Acquisition, People Experience, and People Development. * Provide business support to the leadership team, acting as a sparring partner on People Operations and business partnering topics. * Contribute to writing and rolling out policies that support compliance, clarity, and culture. **Your Qualifications** * At least 6-8 years of hands-on experience in People Operations within an international company, ideally in a scaling technology, engineering, or deep-tech environment. * Practical experience applying German labour law in an HR environment, with the ability to make informed day-to-day decisions. * Strong knowledge of HRIS systems (Personio required), relocation & visa platforms, payroll and benefits administration systems, and reporting analytics. * Proven experience managing immigration, visas, relocation, and international mobility programs. * Experience building processes, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and HR infrastructure. * Skilled in decision-making, collaboration, and stakeholder management, with proven ability to balance operational needs with employee experience. * Strong hands-on mindset with high attention to detail and the ability to execute in a fast-paced environment. * Knowledge in mobility topics, including relocation, visa processes, immigration, and cross-border support. * High emotional intelligence (EQ), with the ability to build trust and act with professionalism and integrity. * Fluency in German (minimum C1) and English. * Advanced Microsoft 365 skills. * Previous experience in a fast-growing startup environment, ideally in deep tech. * Previous exposure to Dutch labour law is an advantage. _If your application results in an employment relationship, your Applicant Data will be transferred to our personnel records and processed in accordance with applicable legal requirements; otherwise, your Applicant Data will be retained for up to six (6) months after completion of the recruitment process._ [_Read more about our privacy policy here._](https://www.blacksemi.com/privacy-policy) Find [Jobs in Germany](https://www.arbeitnow.com) on Arbeitnow