People Operations Manager

<p>We’re on a mission to become the go-to destination for students across Europe to find a trusted home away from home. We make every step of the rental journey simple and seamless, so students can focus on what really matters: studying, exploring, and growing.</p> <p>With HousingAnywhere, Kamernet, and Studapart under our roof, we’re Europe’s largest student rental platform. You’ll find us in Rotterdam, Paris, and Cergy, always guided by our four core values: Ownership, We are enablers, We are changemakers, and We are connectors.</p> <h3><strong>Your Role</strong></h3> <p>We are looking for a <strong>People Operations Manager</strong> to become the operational and people-leadership backbone of our HR function, driving the execution of all essential HR processes across our offices in the Netherlands and France. Reporting directly to the HR & Recruitment Director, you will maintain a helicopter view of all HR operations while you manage and mentor the HR sub-team (3HC).</p> <p>You will work from our Rotterdam HQ (at least 3 days per week in the office) with regular interaction with our French offices.</p> <p>This is a key leadership role for a seasoned HR professional who thrives on managing a team, enjoys international exposure, and combines strong labor law and operational knowledge with an analytical, process-driven mindset.</p> <h3><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></h3> <ul> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><strong>Leadership & Operational Management</strong></li> <ul> <li>Management: Directly manage, mentor, and foster the professional growth of 3 team members (1 HR Generalist and 2 Office Managers/HR Admins).</li> <li>Workflow & quality control: Coordinate daily workload distribution, set team priorities, and establish clear operational standards.</li> </ul> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><strong>Employee relations & Manager Advisory</strong></li> <ul> <li>Employee relations: Act as the primary escalation point for employee relations matters, Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), and workplace issues, ensuring alignment with Dutch and French labor legislation.</li> <li>Manager coaching: Proactively advise and train business managers on people management best practices, performance cycles, and handling sensitive team situations.</li> </ul> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><strong>Employee Lifecycle Supervision</strong></li> <ul> <li>Helicopter view & process governance: Maintain end-to-end oversight of the complete employee journey—from pre-onboarding logistics (employment agreements, EOR setup, visas, and 30% rulings) through onboarding, performance cycles in Lattice, and offboarding closeouts. </li> <li>Hands-on execution & escalations: Act as an operational lead who steps in to advise on HR cases that need attention, when needed.</li> </ul> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><strong>HR Analytics, Audits & Operations</strong></li> <ul> <li>Data & insights: Track and present key metrics including eNPS, turnover trends, and performance completion rates to drive operational decisions.</li> <li>Annual audit support: Lead audit data submission regarding HR processes, policies, and practices in collaboration with internal and external auditors.</li> <li>Payroll & remuneration: Oversee accurate and compliant monthly payroll runs (NL & FR) with external partners, calculate bonus schemes, and facilitate the Annual Salary Review process.</li> </ul> </ul> <h3><strong>Your Team</strong></h3> <p>You will join the People department, which is responsible for the employee experience of around 300 team members spread across 3 international locations and remote setups.</p> <p>The department consists of 9 team members spanning HR, Recruitment, IT, and Office Management. You will report directly to the Director of HR & Recruitment, and you will lead the HR sub-team. This team consists of 1 HR Generalist and 2 Office Managers / HR Admins, who also support HR operations.</p> <h3><strong>Your Profile</strong></h3> <ul> <li>7-10 years of total experience, including a role like Senior HR Operations, HR Lead, or HR Generalist role. Experience in <strong>Dutch HR</strong> is a must; experience with French HR is a strong plus.</li> <li>Solid hands-on experience with<strong> Dutch payroll</strong>. Knowledge of French payroll is a plus.</li> <li>Experience handling <strong>Dutch 30% ruling and visa/work permit</strong> procedures is preferred.</li> <li>Proficient with Google Workspace (<strong>Google Sheet</strong> in particular), <strong>HRIS </strong>platforms (preferably HiBOB), and performance management tools (preferably Lattice).</li> <li>Strong ability to extract, interpret, and present <strong>HR analytics</strong> to guide operational decision-making.</li> <li>Excellent process-mapping skills, meticulous attention to detail, and informal leadership ability to organize and <strong>assign team workflows effectively</strong>.</li> <li>Business fluency in English. Proficiency in Dutch and/or French is a strong advantage.</li> <li>Collaborative team player with strong intercultural communication skills, high integrity with confidential data, and a continuous growth mindset.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>What’s in it for you </strong></h3> <ul> <li>Depending on experience and qualifications, th