Operations & Hr Manager
Hydrosat is an Earth observation company delivering thermal infrared satellite imagery and data analytics to help solve the world's most critical resource challenges - from precision agriculture and food security to water management and climate resilience. With a growing constellation of satellites and a team of ~90 across Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the United States, we are at a pivotal stage of commercial scale-up.
We are looking for an experienced Operations & HR Manager to take ownership of our day-to-day HR operations and office management in Luxembourg and Netherlands. This is a hands-on, broad-scope role at the heart of Hydrosat's European hub - ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic startup environment, can operate with a high degree of autonomy, and is ready to step into a manager-track position.
You will work closely with the Senior Operations & HR Manager, the CCO, and global People Operations to deliver seamless employee experience across the employee lifecycle - from onboarding and compliance to office coordination and HR policy execution.
Key Responsibilities
HR Operations
Independently manage day-to-day HR administration across the employee lifecycle: onboarding, offboarding, contract management, and HRIS (Rippling) maintenance.
Responsible for processing monthly payrolls for LU and NL.
Ensure compliance with Luxembourg and Netherlands labour law and applicable employment regulations; serve as first point of contact for employee queries.
Support employee relations matters, escalating complex cases to the Senior Operations & HR Manager
Coordinate work permit and visa processes for new hires in collaboration with external immigration advisors.
Maintain and improve HR processes, templates, and documentation in line with Hydrosat's policies.
Drive the Luxembourg and Netherlands onboarding experience for new joiners, ensuring a smooth and professional first-day-to-first-month journey.
Office & Operations Management
Serve as the primary point of contact for the Luxembourg office (15 rue Bender, Luxembourg City), managing day-to-day operations, vendor relationships, and facility matters.
Oversee office supplies, equipment, and space planning; coordinate with IT and Finance as needed.
Manage reception and visitor experience; handle incoming correspondence and office logistics.
Act as the operational backbone for in-person events, team meetings, and site visits at the Luxembourg office.
Cross-functional & Leadership Support
Collaborate closely with the Senior Operations & HR Manager EU and CCO on HR projects, policy rollouts, and People Team initiatives.
Support talent acquisition coordination - liaising with recruiters, scheduling interviews, and managing candidate communication where needed.
Provide regular Finance & Operations support in collaboration with Controller and CCO
Contribute to People Team OKRs and operational reporting.
Bachelor’s degree in HR or Business-related field
3-7 years of experience supporting payroll and HR operations in LU and/or the NL
Hands-on experience working with local payroll providers or fiduciaries
Strong understanding of LU payroll process and social security requirements (CCSS); experience with multi-country payroll vendor management
Benefits administration in at least one of these countries (LU/NL)
Prior experience in a startup or scale-up environment strongly preferred.
Solid understanding of Luxembourg and Netherlands employment law and HR compliance requirements.
Proven track record of managing HR processes independently with minimal supervision.
Hands-on experience with HRIS platforms (Rippling experience a plus).
Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail - you keep multiple moving parts on track without dropping anything.
Professional-level English required; Luxembourgish, French, or German is a strong asset given our multilingual office environment.
Comfortable working in a small team where scope evolves quickly and ownership is expected from day one.
Nice to Have
Formal training in LU payroll, accounting or fiduciary services
PDL Certification (Dutch Payroll Certification) or equivalent
Experience in a fiduciary, payroll provider, or international company environment
CIPD Level 5 or Level 7
Experience supporting immigration/work permit processes in Luxembourg.
Exposure to recruitment coordination or ATS systems (Recruitee/Tellent).
Background in the technology, aerospace, or deep-tech sector.
Experience coordinating across multiple European office locations.
Benefits
Competitive compensation package
Stock options to share in Hydrosat’s long-term success
Fast-moving, mission-driven startup environment with real ownership
Hybrid work model with flexibility
EU visa sponsorship available when required
Attractive Luxembourg tax advantages for relocators + relocation bonus
Meal vouchers included
Living and working in Luxembourg - explainer for newcomers
International Schooling, Transport, Quality of Life
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