People Operations Manager

• Unlimited paid holidays, minimum-based, not maximum!
• Position based in our Rotterdam office with hybrid working policy (3 office days).
• Flexibility to work remotely for up to 2 months per year!
• 1,000 EUR personal development budget.
• Complete coverage for commuting.
• Personal equipment, including laptop and ergonomic setup.
• Gym membership discount with GoVital or OneFit.
• Dutch classes budget.
• Variable pension scheme.
• Diverse international community (46+ nationalities).
• Pet-friendly office in Rotterdam city centre.
• Team-building events and after-work drinks every Friday.

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.

• Leadership & Operational Management
• Management: Directly manage, mentor, and foster the professional growth of 3 team members (1 HR Generalist and 2 Office Managers/HR Admins).
• Workflow & quality control: Coordinate daily workload distribution, set team priorities, and establish clear operational standards.
• Employee relations & Manager Advisory
• 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.
• Manager coaching: Proactively advise and train business managers on people management best practices, performance cycles, and handling sensitive team situations.
• Employee Lifecycle Supervision
• 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.
• Hands-on execution & escalations: Act as an operational lead who steps in to advise on HR cases that need attention, when needed.
• HR Analytics, Audits & Operations
• Data & insights: Track and present key metrics including eNPS, turnover trends, and performance completion rates to drive operational decisions.
• Annual audit support: Lead audit data submission regarding HR processes, policies, and practices in collaboration with internal and external auditors.
• Payroll & remuneration: Oversee accurate and compliant monthly payroll runs (NL & FR) with external partners, calculate bonus schemes, and facilitate the Annual Salary Review process.

You will work from our Rotterdam HQ (at least 3 days per week in the office) with regular interaction with our French offices.

We are looking for a People Operations Manager 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).

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.

• At least 10 years of experience in HR, with proven experience supervising day-to-day team operations, guiding team members, and handling operational escalations. Experience in Dutch HR is a must; experience with French HR is a strong plus.
• Solid hands-on experience with Dutch payroll. Knowledge of French payroll is a plus.
• Experience handling Dutch 30% ruling and visa/work permit procedures is preferred.
• Proficient with Google Workspace (Google Sheet in particular), HRIS platforms (preferably HiBOB), and performance management tools (preferably Lattice).
• Strong ability to extract, interpret, and present HR analytics to guide operational decision-making.
• Excellent process-mapping skills, meticulous attention to detail, and informal leadership ability to organize and assign team workflows effectively.
• Business fluency in English. Proficiency in Dutch and/or French is a strong advantage.
• Collaborative team player with strong intercultural communication skills, high integrity with confidential data, and a continuous growth mindset.