HR Manager, Europe (German- Speaking)

About Handshake

Role Overview:

Key Accountabilities:

• Provide first line HR support to employees across Germany, UK, and Romania, ensuring we’re resolving their queries in a timely manner.
• Support with the development and implementation of key organisational policies and processes to provide best-in-class employee experience.
• Develop our employee onboarding programme and ensure it effectively integrates new hires into the organisation, enhancing their understanding of company culture and processes.
• Manage all aspects of the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, performance management, and offboarding, ensuring compliance with local employment laws and company policies.
• Own all aspects of office management for our state of the art Berlin office to ensure a safe, efficient, and pleasant working environment. This includes working with our local vendors and contractors to ensure a solid system is in place to run the office. 
• Lead strategic HR projects in partnership with the HR Director and Recruitment. These projects would include building our employer brand, improving employee engagement, managing our DEI initiatives
• Own the employee experience agenda in EMEA, ensuring we’re making Handshake a great place to work. 
• Maintain our internal HR systems (Workday) to ensure accurate employee records are in place in partnership with our global people operations team. 
• Assist with payroll processing by providing necessary employee information and resolving any payroll discrepancies in collaboration with the finance team.

What are we looking for:

• 3 to 5 years of experience in an HR role, preferably within a start-up/scaleup environment. This role would ideally suit a HR Advisor/Generalist who is keen to step up into a new role. 
• Fluent in German and English. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact with employees at all levels and from diverse cultural backgrounds. Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Strong organisational and multitasking abilities, with a keen attention to detail and the ability to prioritise tasks effectively.
• A proactive and self-motivated approach to work, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team. We’re looking for someone who is ambitious with a can-do attitude.
• Proven experience in managing HR projects particularly around elevating employee experience or designing new HR programmes and processes. 
• Proficiency in HRIS systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and other relevant software. Experience with remote working tools and virtual collaboration platforms is an advantage.
• Sensitivity and adaptability to different cultural norms and practices and able to work with a very diverse group of people. 
• A genuine passion for delivering a positive employee experience and driving organisational success.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. HR certification as well as working knowledge across HR practices, employment laws and regulations will be a plus.

U.S.-based roles

About us

What we offer

Benefits below apply to employees in full-time positions.

• 💰 Equity and ownership in a fast-growing company.
• 🍼 16 Weeks of paid parental leave for birth giving parents & 10 weeks of paid parental leave for non-birth giving parents.
• 💝 Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision policies including LGTBQ+ Coverage. We also provide resources for Mental Health Assistance, Employee Assistance Programs and counseling support.
• 💻 Handshake offers $500/£360 home office stipend for you to spend during your first 3 months to create a productive and comfortable workspace at home.
• 📚 Generous learning & development opportunities and an annual $2,000/£1,500/€1,850 stipend for you to grow your skills and career.
• 💰 Financial coaching through Origin to help you through your financial journey.
• 🛜 Monthly internet stipend and a brand new MacBook to allow you to do your best work.
• 🚃 Monthly commuter stipend for you to expense your travel to the office (for office-based employees).
• 🥗 Free lunch provided twice a week across all offices.
• 🤝 Referral bonus to reward you when you bring great talent to Handshake.

(US-specific benefits, in addition to the first section)

• 🏦 401k Match: Handshake offers a dollar-for-dollar match on 1% of deferred salary, up to a maximum of $1,200 per year.
• 🏝 All full-time US-based Handshakers are eligible for our flexible time off policy to get out and see the world. In addition, we offer 8 standardized holidays, and 2 additional days of flexible holiday time off. Lastly, we have a Winter #ShakeBreak, a one-week period of Collective Time Off.
• 🍼 Lactation support: Handshake partners with Milk Stork to provide a comprehensive 100% employer-sponsored lactation support to traveling parents and guardians.

(UK-specific benefits, in addition to the first section) 

• 🏦 Pension Scheme: Handshake will provide you with a workplace pension, where you will make contributions based on 5% of your salary. Handshake will pay the equivalent of 3% towards your pension plan, subject to qualifying earnings limits.
• 🏝 Up to 25 days of vacation to encourage people to reset, recharge, and refresh, in addition to 8 bank holidays throughout the year.
• 🤝 Regular offsites each year to bring the team together + opportunity to travel to our HQ in San Francisco.
• 🛍️ Discounts across various high street retailers, cinemas and other social activities exclusively for Handshake UK employees.

(Germany-specific benefits, in addition to the first section)

• 🏝 25 days of annual leave + 5 days of a winter #ShakeBreak, a one-week period of Collective Time Off across the company.
• 🤝 Regular offsites each year to bring the team together + opportunity to travel to our HQ in San Francisco once a year.
• 🧘 Urban sports club membership offering access to a diverse network of fitness and wellness facilities.
• 🛍️ Discounts across various high street retailers, cinemas and other social activities exclusively for Handshake Germany employees.