People Operations Specialist

optics11; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Collaborative team environment

Ownership from day one

Opportunity to impact a growing scale-up

Job summary

optics11 is seeking a People Operations Specialist in the Netherlands. In this role, you will manage HR systems, provide employee support, and ensure compliance with HR processes. You will play a critical role in shaping and improving the People Operations function in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate will have 2-4 years of HR experience and thrive in international startup settings. A service-oriented approach and strong organizational skills are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of experience in HR, People Operations, or People Support.
• Experience in an international startup or scale-up environment.
• Proactive mindset and strong organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain employee records in HRIS.
• Act as a point of contact for employee inquiries.
• Prepare payroll for the Netherlands and Ireland.

Skills

Employee support

HRIS management

Data management

Organizational skills

Education

Relevant HBO or MBO+ education in Human Resources or Business Administration

Tools

Personio

Job description

As our People Operations Specialist, you will be the operational backbone of the People Team, ensuring employee data, processes, and administration run smoothly across a growing international organization.

In this role, you will serve as the first point of contact for employees on a wide range of People-related topics, helping them navigate policies, systems, and procedures. Working closely with the People Operations Lead, you will take ownership of day-to-day administration and employee support, while contributing to operational excellence throughout the employee lifecycle.

You thrive in dynamic environments and enjoy bringing structure, consistency, and clarity to evolving processes. With a strong eye for detail, you ensure accuracy while continuously looking for ways to improve efficiency and enhance the employee experience. You are reliable, proactive, and comfortable working with data and systems, while maintaining a service-oriented and approachable mindset.

With ambitious growth plans and international expansion ahead, this role is ideal for someone who enjoys a fast-paced scale‑up environment where priorities shift, processes continue to mature, and every week brings new opportunities and challenges.

What you'll do:

People Operations & Administration:

• Manage and maintain employee records and documentation in our HRIS (Personio).
• Prepare employment contracts, contract amendments, and official employee letters.
• Ensure employee files and records are complete, accurate, and compliant.
• Support onboarding and offboarding administration.
• Process residence permit and 30% ruling applications.

Employee Support:

• Act as the first point of contact for employee questions and own the People/HR inbox.
• Guide employees through People policies, procedures, and systems.
• Escalate or redirect questions when needed and ensure employees receive the right support.

Payroll & Compliance:

• Monthly payroll preparation for the Netherlands and Ireland.
• Assist with sick leave administration and related processes.
• Help ensure compliance with People policies, procedures, and employment regulations.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement:

• Support the People Operations Lead with reporting and workforce data administration.
• Identify opportunities to improve People processes and documentation, and support the implementation of improvements aimed at increasing efficiency, accuracy, and employee experience.

What we offer?

• The opportunity to make a direct impact in a growing international scale‑up with a meaningful mission.
• A role where your work truly matters to both employees and the business.
• A collaborative and supportive team environment.
• Ownership and responsibility from day one.
• The chance to help shape and improve People Operations as the organization grows.

What we're looking for:

• 2-4 years of experience in a generalist, administrative HR, People Operations, or People Support role.
• Experience working in an international startup or scale‑up environment is highly preferred.
• Relevant HBO or MBO+ education in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Approachable and service-oriented, with a genuine desire to help colleagues.
• Strong organizational skills and a high level of accuracy.
• Comfortable working with modern HR systems and eager to learn new tools.
• Affinity with data and an understanding of the importance of data quality.
• A proactive mindset with the ability to spot issues and suggest improvements.
• Comfortable working in an environment where processes are still evolving.
• Knows when to solve a problem independently and when to seek support.
• Pragmatic and open-minded, able to balance standard processes with reasonable exceptions.
• Looking to build a long-term career within People Operations and enjoys being a trusted generalist rather than a niche specialist.

Please note that we can only consider candidates who are currently residing in the Netherlands and already have the legal right to work here without requiring visa sponsorship or a work permit.