Senior People Operations Associate
- Hiring from
- Europe
- Work type
- Remote
- Posted
- Sep 28, 2026
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About PIE
The Pooled fund on International Energy (PIE) is an international grant making and strategy platform with a mission to secure a safe climate, clean air and prosperity through a just transition in the power and steel sectors. We work with charitable foundations and regional climate foundations to support a diverse set of research institutions, think tanks and civil society organisations working with governments, business and other parts of society all over the world. We back local organisations and international partners to overcome the barriers to clean energy and steel. PIE was formed in 2013 as a platform of the European Climate Foundation (ECF) and is comprised of a dedicated international team of exceptional people based around the world. We seek to operate in accordance with a core set of values: Empowering and Caring Team, Bold Action with Urgency, Collaboration for Real World Impact, Resilient Partner with Climate Ecosystem, and Evidence-Based Decision-Making. Following more than a decade as a programme hosted by the European Climate Foundation (ECF), PIE is entering an exciting new phase as an independent organisation. This transition presents a unique opportunity to help shape the foundations, systems and ways of working of a growing international organisation from the ground up. More information available at: www.pieclimate.org.
About The Role
The People Operations Lead (f/m/d) will be a key member of PIE's growing People & Culture function, working closely with and reporting to the Director of People & Culture.
This is a highly hands-on role for an experienced People Operations professional who enjoys running daily operations, building structure, solving operational challenges and ensuring people processes run smoothly. The majority of the role will focus on international payroll, HR administration, Employer of Record management, HR systems, compliance and documentation across multiple countries and jurisdictions.
Success in this role requires previous experience navigating the complexity of international HR operations and balancing multiple payrolls, vendors, systems and regulatory requirements simultaneously.
Key responsibilities
HR Operations
Experience
Flexible; must be able to work within 2 hours of CET timezone and travel to Europe periodically.
How to apply
The deadline for applications is 13 October 2026 by 17:00CEST
Applicants are encouraged to upload their CV and motivation letter as one combined document
Start Date
As soon as possible.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.
The Pooled fund on International Energy (PIE) is an international grant making and strategy platform with a mission to secure a safe climate, clean air and prosperity through a just transition in the power and steel sectors. We work with charitable foundations and regional climate foundations to support a diverse set of research institutions, think tanks and civil society organisations working with governments, business and other parts of society all over the world. We back local organisations and international partners to overcome the barriers to clean energy and steel. PIE was formed in 2013 as a platform of the European Climate Foundation (ECF) and is comprised of a dedicated international team of exceptional people based around the world. We seek to operate in accordance with a core set of values: Empowering and Caring Team, Bold Action with Urgency, Collaboration for Real World Impact, Resilient Partner with Climate Ecosystem, and Evidence-Based Decision-Making. Following more than a decade as a programme hosted by the European Climate Foundation (ECF), PIE is entering an exciting new phase as an independent organisation. This transition presents a unique opportunity to help shape the foundations, systems and ways of working of a growing international organisation from the ground up. More information available at: www.pieclimate.org.
About The Role
The People Operations Lead (f/m/d) will be a key member of PIE's growing People & Culture function, working closely with and reporting to the Director of People & Culture.
This is a highly hands-on role for an experienced People Operations professional who enjoys running daily operations, building structure, solving operational challenges and ensuring people processes run smoothly. The majority of the role will focus on international payroll, HR administration, Employer of Record management, HR systems, compliance and documentation across multiple countries and jurisdictions.
Success in this role requires previous experience navigating the complexity of international HR operations and balancing multiple payrolls, vendors, systems and regulatory requirements simultaneously.
Key responsibilities
HR Operations
- Manage, standardize and administer core HR processes across the employee lifecycle for a globally distributed team, including payroll, on- offboarding, contract amendments, data and personnel documentation.
- Own, prepare and oversee payroll administration across Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, working closely with payroll providers and ensuring accurate and timely processing, documentation and reporting.
- Manage day to day operations from onboarding, offboarding, contract amendments, data documentation, absence tracking and much more for a globally distributed team.
- Ensure compliance in HR operative processes, with GDPR and local labour law regulations in mind and flag risks with the Director of People & Culture.
- Support the operational management of third-party people vendors, including recruitment, payroll and Employer of Record partners.
- Support the implementation and administration of a centralized HRIS and ATS, ensuring it maintains data integrity and accuracy for the global team.
- Own policies and the development, documentation, and continuous improvement of HR policies and procedures as well as acting as point of contact on policies, processes and systems.
- Administer and maintain accurate employee records and ensure data integrity across HR and payroll tools.
- Ensure HR processes are well documented, efficient, and user-friendly.
- Respond to employee questions and HR-related matters in a thoughtful, timely and service-oriented manner.
- Support the delivery of key People & Culture initiatives and organisational priorities.
- Contribute to a positive employee experience across the full employee lifecycle.
- Handle confidential and sensitive employee information with discretion and professionalism.
Experience
- Minimum 5 years of HR Operations experience within an international, geographically distributed or multi-country environment.
- Demonstrated experience managing international payroll processes through external stakeholders across multiple countries and jurisdictions including previous experience working with EOR providers and global employment models.
- Strong experience administering employee lifecycle processes, including onboarding, offboarding, contract management, absence management and employee records administration.
- Experience ensuring compliance with employment legislation, data privacy requirements (including GDPR) and HR operational best practices across multiple jurisdictions.
- Exposure to nonprofit, NGO, or mission-driven organisations is a strong plus.
- Very hands-on approach on operational challenges.
- Strong vendor and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to build and improve processes in evolving organisational environments.
- Excellent attention to detail combined with a practical and solution-oriented mindset.
- Comfortable working independently and taking ownership of complex operational responsibilities.
- Proactive, reliable, hands-on and solutions oriented.
- Comfortable taking ownership while working collaboratively.
- Clear communicator with a service-oriented mindset.
- A unique opportunity to work as part of a highly dynamic international team that combines passion for making a difference with a rigorous approach to work.
- Access to an extensive network of close partners with technical expertise, strong international and local change-making experience, and deep knowledge of grantmaking and strategy development.
- A highly flexible, self-managed approach to day-to-day work arrangements.
- An attractive salary at general market rates, cell phone and subscription, laptop.
- Contract type: 2 year contract to start with intention to become permanent if it is the right fit on both sides.
Flexible; must be able to work within 2 hours of CET timezone and travel to Europe periodically.
How to apply
The deadline for applications is 13 October 2026 by 17:00CEST
Applicants are encouraged to upload their CV and motivation letter as one combined document
Start Date
As soon as possible.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.