Senior People Manager

VARM

Senior People Manager at VARM, developing in-house People function for a fast-growing Climate-Tech company. Driving People Ops, recruiting, and structure establishment in a dynamic environment.

Posted 6/24/2026full-timeBerlin • 🇩🇪 GermanySeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

You will build VARM’s People function internally for the first time — working closely with the founders and enjoying significant scope to shape it
You will own People Ops end-to-end: contracts, onboarding, payroll preparation, documentation and processes
You will gradually bring recruiting in-house from external providers and take active responsibility for hiring key roles
You will develop the first scalable People structures around performance, feedback, compensation and benefits
You will support organizational changes pragmatically, solution-oriented and in compliance with employment law
You will work closely with external partners for payroll and employment-law matters
You will operate in a fast-paced environment with a high degree of autonomy and direct communication
You will have the opportunity to help design a modern People organization from the ground up

Requirements

What you’ll need

Several years of experience in a generalist People role — e.g. People Partner, HRBP, People Lead or People Manager — ideally within a startup or scaleup environment
Experience building processes and structures yourself — not just maintaining existing systems
Hands-on experience in People Ops: payroll preparation, contracts, onboarding and documentation are familiar to you
Affinity for AI and modern tools and a willingness to actively integrate them into your daily work
Solid knowledge of German employment law
Very good German and English skills

Benefits

Comp & perks

Real scope to shape the organization: nothing is set in stone — you will actively build rather than just manage
Direct collaboration with the founders and the leadership team
Clear development path with the potential to progress to Head of People
Work on one of Europe’s most important climate topics
Fast-growing climate-tech company with top international investors
Modern office in the heart of Kreuzberg
Onsite-first with flexibility and a high level of trust
Fast decision-making, direct communication and authentic startup spirit
Attractive compensation including an equity participation program
Training opportunities, team events and fitness benefits
An ambitious team with strong ownership and a genuine culture of support

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Hard Skills & Tools

People Opspayroll preparationcontractsonboardingdocumentationperformance managementfeedback systemscompensation structuresbenefits administrationemployment law compliance

Soft Skills

solution-orientedorganizational change supportautonomydirect communicationprocess buildingpragmatic approachcollaborationadaptabilityleadershipinterpersonal skills