Senior People and Culture Manager

ABOUT THE ROLE Build and run the people function for a fast-growing AI and machine learning startup in Berlin. This senior individual contributor role spans recruiting, onboarding, culture, employer branding, and HR operations, supporting the company through a period of rapid growth. WHAT YOU'LL DO - Own recruiting operations and hiring strategy, including pipeline management, sourcing, screening, and hiring process design. - Design and deliver onboarding programs that help new hires succeed in a fast-paced environment. - Build people processes, policies, and frameworks to support a scaling team. - Develop employer branding and recruitment marketing to attract talent in a competitive market. - Support a high-performance culture through engagement, retention, and culture initiatives. - Manage HR administration and support compliance with German employment regulations. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR - At least 5 years of experience in people or HR roles, including 3 or more years building or leading the people function at an early-stage startup or in a comparable high-growth environment. - Experience independently owning a broad people remit as a senior individual contributor, without direct reports. - Strong end-to-end recruiting operations experience, along with a track record designing onboarding and people processes during rapid growth. - Experience with employer branding, recruitment marketing, employee engagement, and retention. - Familiarity with German labor law and employment practices, or readiness to rapidly build expertise with legal support. - Proficiency with HR information systems, applicant tracking systems, and HR administration tools. - Comfort working in an intense, fast-paced startup environment and managing ambiguity. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS Base salary: €60,000 to €70,000 annually. Visa sponsorship is not available. LOCATION Hybrid in Berlin, Germany, with at least four days per week in the office.