planetlabs
Senior Manager, People Operations
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Berlin
Confirm work authorization, visa sponsorship and location requirements with the employer.About the role
Welcome to Planet. We believe in using space to help life on Earth.
Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites in history. This constellation delivers an unprecedented dataset of empirical information via a revolutionary cloud-based platform to authoritative figures in commercial, environmental, and humanitarian sectors. We are both a space company and data company all rolled into one.
Customers and users across the globe use Planet's data to develop new technologies, drive revenue, power research, and solve our world’s toughest obstacles.
As we control every component of hardware design, manufacturing, data processing, and software engineering, our office is a truly inspiring mix of experts from a variety of domains.
We have a people-centric approach toward culture and community and we strive to iterate in a way that puts our team members first and prepares our company for growth. Join Planet and be a part of our mission to change the way people see the world.
Planet is a global company with employees working remotely world wide and joining us from offices in San Francisco, Washington DC, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and The Netherlands.
About the Role:
Planet’s People Operations team manages a wide variety of operational functions, including compliance, HRIS and hire-to-retire transactions, immigration, global mobility, people data and analytics, and payroll. We are seeking an experienced Senior People Operations Manager to oversee people operations across Europe, MENA, and APAC while ensuring alignment with global frameworks and strategic objectives. This role will drive regional strategy, oversee operational compliance, and lead key strategic initiatives such as global expansion and HRIS optimization. Ideal candidates are adaptable, collaborative leaders with a background in scaling regional HR operations.
This role will report to the US-based Director, People Operations and will partner closely with roles across the global People Team and beyond, particularly on the Talent Acquisition, People Business Partnership, and Legal teams.
This is a full-time, hybrid role which will require you to work from our Berlin, Haarlem, or London office 3 days per week.
Impact You’ll Own:
- Spearheads and manages the Europe-based People Operations team, setting operational standards and overseeing hire-to-retire processes.
- Serves as the primary subject matter expert and escalation point for regional HR operations, complex legal compliance, and employment policies in Europe, MENA, and APAC.
- Partners with cross-functional leadership—including Talent Acquisition, People Business Partners, and Legal—to align regional practices with global business goals.
- Establishes and maintains strategic vendor relationships, including external legal counsel and Employers of Record (EORs).
- Drives continuous process improvements by designing scalable workflows, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and integrating AI tools across team workstreams.
- Leads departmental initiatives supporting global expansion, HRIS optimization, and workforce data reporting.
What You Bring:
- 6+ years of relevant HR/People Operations experience across international regions
- 4+ years of supervisory/people leadership experience
- Knowledge of employment law, HR operations, and compliance standards across EMEA and APAC regions
- Experience establishing operational objectives, procedures, and entity setups in new international markets
- Experience utilizing HRIS platforms (e.g., HiBob) and data spreadsheet tools for workforce analytics
- Ability to persuade and align internal stakeholders in complex or sensitive situations while preserving positive working relationships
- Experience managing departmental budgets, vendor contracts, and external partner relationships
- Fluency in English and German
What Makes You Stand Out:
- Experience with AI tools (e.g., Gemini) and integrating AI into operational workflows
- Experience in additional HR disciplines such as employee relations or HR business partnership
- Experience working within US-headquartered, publicly traded organizations subject to audit controls (e.g., SOX)
- Multilingual capabilities in Dutch, French, or other European languages
Application Deadline:
11:45p / 23:45 CET on the date stated below. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. This posting may be removed earlier than projected if a suitable pool of applications has been received. For this reason, we recommend applying as soon as you are able to.
Benefits While Working at Planet:
These offerings are dependent on employment type and geographical location, based upon applicable law or company policy.
- Paid time off including vacation, holidays and company-wide days off
- Employee Wellness Program
- Home Office Reimbursement
- Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement
- Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
- Equity
- Volunteering Paid Time Off
Compensation:
The expected starting gross salary range for this role is listed below. Individual placement within this range is determined objectively based on gender-neutral criteria such as your skills, qualifications, and professional experience. This position may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or equity.
In addition to the salary range listed below, this role is also eligible to receive commission.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Why we care so much about Belonging.
We’re dedicated to helping the whole Planet, and to do that we must strive to represent all of it within each of our offices and on all of our teams. That’s why Planet is guided by an ultimate north star of Belonging—dreaming big as we approach our ongoing work. If this job intrigues you, but you’re thinking you might not have all the qualifications, please... do apply! At Planet, we are looking for well-rounded people from around the world who can contribute to more ways than just what is listed in this job description. We don’t just fill positions, we aspire to fulfill people’s careers, most excited about folks who are motivated by our underlying humanitarian efforts. We are a few orbits around the sun before we get to where we want to be, so we hope you’re excited to come along for the ride.
EEO statement:
Planet is committed to building a community where everyone belongs and we invite people from all backgrounds to apply. Planet is an equal opportunity employer, and committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Know Your Rights.
Accommodations:
Planet is an inclusive community and we know that everyone has their own needs. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation during the hiring process, please reach out to ----- or contact your recruiter with your request. Your message will be confidential and we will be happy to assist you.
Privacy Policy: By clicking "Apply Now" at the top of this job posting, I acknowledge that I have read the Planet Data Privacy Notice for California Staff Members and Applicants, and hereby consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of my personal information as described therein.
Privacy Policy (European Applicants): By clicking "Apply Now" at the top of this job posting, I acknowledge that I have read the Candidate Privacy Notice GDPR Planet Labs Europe, and hereby consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of my personal information as described therein.
AI in Our Interviewing Process: Planet is committed to providing an exceptional interview experience for all candidates. We currently use Metaview to better focus on candidates and less on trying to capture notes. As such, with the candidate's consent, select interviews may be recorded and include a "Planet AI Notetaker" for transcription and summarization purposes. Should an interview involve use of AI interview technologies, the candidate will receive notification and have the ability to opt out both in advance and/or real-time. Opting out will not affect one's candidacy.
Candidate AI Policy: Planet embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, and we encourage its responsible use. We understand that candidates may use various resources, including AI tools, to prepare for interviews and assessments. However, during any live interview stage or when actively completing assessments for this position, the use of AI tools—e.g. Large Language Models (LLMs), deep fake technology, etc.—is strictly prohibited unless explicitly prompted by an interviewer or assessment instructions. If you are unsure about acceptable use, please contact your recruiter for clarification. If an AI tool or similar technology is desired as an accommodation, please contact ----- with your request for assistance. Your message will be confidential, and we will be happy to assist you. Violation of this policy may result in disqualification of your application.
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