Senior People and Culture Manager

About the Role

This is a full-ownership, individual contributor role building the people function from the ground up at a fast-growing AI/ML startup in Berlin. You will partner directly with the founder to scale the team rapidly, spanning recruiting, onboarding, culture, employer branding, and HR operations.

What You'll Do

Own end-to-end recruiting operations, including pipeline management, sourcing, screening, and hiring process design to support aggressive headcount growth. Design and execute onboarding programs that set new hires up for success in a high-intensity environment. Build core people processes, policies, and frameworks to support a rapidly scaling team.

Cultivate and steward company culture aligned with shared values and a high-performance work environment. Develop employer branding and recruitment marketing strategies to attract top talent in a competitive market. Manage HR administration and ensure compliance with German labor law and Berlin employment regulations.

What We're Looking For

5 or more years of experience in people or HR roles, with at least 3 years building or leading a people function at an early-stage or high-growth startup. Proven ability to run a people function independently as a senior individual contributor, without direct reports. Strong expertise in German labor law and employment regulations, or a clear willingness to upskill quickly with legal support.

Experience designing onboarding programs and people processes during rapid scaling phases. Demonstrated ability to build employer branding and maintain a high hiring bar during periods of fast growth. Proficiency with HRIS, ATS, and HR administration tools.

Comfort thriving in ambiguous, high-intensity startup environments where moving fast and wearing multiple hats is the norm. Familiarity with tech startup ecosystems and venture-backed company dynamics is a plus. Experience with international or multi-location team compliance is a plus.

Compensation & Benefits Base salary of €60,000 to €70,000 annually. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Location Berlin, Germany.

Hybrid arrangement with at least four days per week in the office.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a full-ownership, individual contributor role building the people function from the ground up at a fast-growing AI/ML startup in Berlin. You will partner directly with the founder to scale the team rapidly, spanning recruiting, onboarding, culture, employer branding, and HR operations.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Own end-to-end recruiting operations, including pipeline management, sourcing, screening, and hiring process design to support aggressive headcount growth.
• Design and execute onboarding programs that set new hires up for success in a high-intensity environment.
• Build core people processes, policies, and frameworks to support a rapidly scaling team.
• Cultivate and steward company culture aligned with shared values and a high-performance work environment.
• Develop employer branding and recruitment marketing strategies to attract top talent in a competitive market.
• Manage HR administration and ensure compliance with German labor law and Berlin employment regulations.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

- 5 or more years of experience in people or HR roles, with at least 3 years building or leading a people function at an early-stage or high-growth startup.

• Proven ability to run a people function independently as a senior individual contributor, without direct reports.
• Strong expertise in German labor law and employment regulations, or a clear willingness to upskill quickly with legal support.
• Experience designing onboarding programs and people processes during rapid scaling phases.
• Demonstrated ability to build employer branding and maintain a high hiring bar during periods of fast growth.
• Proficiency with HRIS, ATS, and HR administration tools.
• Comfort thriving in ambiguous, high-intensity startup environments where moving fast and wearing multiple hats is the norm.
• Familiarity with tech startup ecosystems and venture-backed company dynamics is a plus.
• Experience with international or multi-location team compliance is a plus. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS Base salary of €60,000 to €70,000 annually. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role. LOCATION Berlin, Germany. Hybrid arrangement with at least four days per week in the office.