People Operations Partner

Hello there! Our client is a global market research company that combines an AI-powered insights platform with expert consultancy. On a mission to make the world a little more fact-based, they help businesses understand how consumers think and make smarter decisions. Founded in Hamburg in 2014, the company has grown into a global presence with more than 260 employees across 13 countries, supporting 2,600+ international clients and delivering research in 190+ markets.

We are looking for an experienced and passionate People Operations Partner to join the People Team and help create exceptional employee journeys that reflect the company’s unique culture while supporting international growth. In this role, you’ll be the driving force behind a seamless employee lifecycle—turning traditional “HR services” into a premium employee experience.

You’ll have ownership from day one and help build scalable people operations foundations that support the business, challenge the status quo, and deliver meaningful impact.

Requirements

What you’ll be doing Own and manage the full employee lifecycle across Europe (from contracts and onboarding to day-to-day requests and offboarding) while delivering an exceptional employee experience Manage payroll processes in Germany and Austria in collaboration with external tax partners Partner with the company’s EOR provider to ensure smooth remote onboarding and compliant hiring across countries Support audits and ensure accurate employee data within the HRIS Identify opportunities to automate, improve, and simplify operations, including using AI tools Take ownership of broader People Operations topics such as policy updates, tooling rollouts, and process documentation Collaborate closely with IT, Finance & Legal on cross-functional processes If based in Hamburg, support office-related activities You’ll thrive in this role if you Hold a degree in Business Administration, Economics, HR Management, or a related field Bring 3+ years of experience in People Operations/HR within a fast-paced international environment Are fluent in German & English (other languages a plus!)

Have hands-on experience with HRIS tools (ideally Personio or Hi. Bob) Are passionate about operational HR and improving the employee experience Have payroll experience in Germany (Austria, France, Spain or UK experience is a plus) Are experienced with ticketing systems and structured SLA-based employee support Proactively drive improvements and ownership Combine empathy with organisation, process thinking, and a solution-oriented mentality Communicate clearly, confidently, and collaboratively Benefits What’s in it for you?

Flexible vacation policy (no capped limits) Work from abroad for up to 180 days a year within the EU All equipment provided including MacBook hardware For Hamburg/Berlin team members: mobility benefits (Deutschland ticket or mobility budget) Subsidised Urban Sports Club membership for employees in Germany or Spain Access to co-working spaces available in major hubs (Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, London, Madrid, Barcelona, New York)