People Operations Manager (m/f/d)

Your mission We are a fast-growing deep tech company of ~150 people looking for a curious and flexible HR all-rounder to join our People & Culture team. You will own a broad range of responsibilities from hands-on payroll and recruitment to analytics dashboards and strategic HR projects - and have real visibility and impact from day one. Serve as the first point of contact for employees and the leadership team on all people-related topics from day-to-day questions to sensitive conversations and organizational changes. Own the full recruitment cycle from selecting channels and screening candidates to offer meetings and contract preparation. Prepare monthly payroll end-to-end in coordination with our external payroll provider. Build and maintain HR dashboards, track key people metrics, and deliver clear reporting to leadership to support data-driven decisions. Lead strategic HR projects that strengthen our people processes, compensation structures and overall employee experience. Ensure a smooth onboarding and offboarding experience and actively support managers in optimizing team processes. Serve as a reliable contact for external authorities and service providers. Your profile University degree in HR, Psychology, Business or a related field. 5+ years of experience in an HR role, ideally in a dynamic tech, startup or aviation/drone environment. A true all‑rounder with genuine curiosity to learn and the flexibility to move between operational and strategic work every day. Solid knowledge of German labor law and payroll compliance. Strong analytical skills and confidence working with HR data, dashboards and reports. Proven ability to manage projects independently from start to finish. Fluency in written and spoken German and English. Confident with M365; experience with Personio or a comparable HRIS is a strong advantage. What you bring as a perfect candidate You take real ownership and accountability for your topics and like to drive them independently from idea to implementation. You have a hands‑on and pragmatic mindset. You are creative and solution‑oriented, enjoy improving processes and finding smart, simple solutions together with stakeholders. You enjoy working closely with people, are approachable and empathetic, and like being the first point of contact for employees and the leadership team. You like organizing internal events and are happy to support the team in office management topics when needed, contributing to a positive atmosphere in the office. What we'll offer A free parking space right at the office – for the days you come in. Enjoy attractive employee discounts with corporate benefits on a variety of products and services. Join the fun at our employee events and team-building activities. Many of our roles offer remote work options and flexible hours to balance your life and work. Stay fit with access to EGYM Wellpass – your wellbeing is a priority. On two wheels to work? Take advantage of our Business Bike option and commute the healthy way. Why us? A motivated and supportive team , where every voice is heard, and collaboration drives our success. A fast-growing tech startup , where the pace is exciting, and every day presents new challenges and opportunities. A place where your ideas can take flight , allowing you to shape and influence projects from the ground up. Dedicated to your personal and professional growth , offering opportunities to learn, develop, and thrive. A company that values impact , where your work truly makes a difference and contributes to something meaningful.