Europe People Operations Principal

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run.

As TEC's Europe People Operations Principal, you will play a central role in shaping and leading People Operations across Europe, with a primary focus on the French entity and additionally on the Luxembourg one. You will manage and develop the European People Operations function, while ensuring operational excellence and legal compliance.

Working closely with Talent Acquisition, Legal, Finance, and technical teams, you will oversee payroll operations, HR administration, metallurgy-specific HR topics, and Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. You will also lead the continuous improvement of people processes that support company culture, performance, learning, and engagement across Europe.

Key Responsibilities

Europe People Operations Principal

• Lead the European People Operations Team, ensuring high-quality HR service delivery level across Germany, France, Italy, and Luxembourg

• Design and implement the full HR infrastructure required to launch new legal entities, including operational setup, policies, employment frameworks, and legal documentation

• Provide input on the definition of locally competitive compensation strategies and coordinate the implementation of competitive benefits packages

• Own and drive strategic initiatives to elevate employee experience at both European and Company levels

• Standardizing and optimizing and scale HR processes, ensuring alignment with audit and compliance requirements

France & Luxembourg People Operations

• Coordinate French and Luxembourg monthly payroll in collaboration with external payroll service providers

• Ensure payroll accuracy and compliance with applicable labor laws, taxation, and social security requirements

• Ensure adherence to regulatory and operational requirements specific to the metallurgy sector

• Lead and support initiatives tied to CSE, aligning them with company goals and employee engagement strategies

• Serve as the first point of contact for employees in France and Luxembourg for all HR matters

• Own and drive local People Operations projects, including process improvements and automation initiatives

• Partner with the visa and mobility teams on work permit, relocation, and immigration processes

• Maintain, optimize, and continuously improve the HRIS (Personio) to ensure data accuracy, system efficiency, and reliable reporting

• Own, review, and update HR policies and procedures, ensuring consistency across regions and compliance with local applicable labor laws and GDPR regulations

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in an HR or People Operations role (Administrator or Generalist) within the French employment framework

• Demonstrated experience in coordinating monthly payroll and managing French HR administrative documentation end-to-end

• Solid knowledge of French labor law, taxation, and social security systems related to payroll operations

• Good knowledge of the French Metallurgic National Collective Bargaining Agreement (CCN de la Métallurgie)

• Experience with Personio or other HRIS tools is a plus

• Passion for developing people processes that enhance company culture and employee experience through operational excellence

• A proactive, detail-oriented mindset with a drive to innovate and optimize HR operations.

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize effectively

• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work independently and proactively

• Fluency in French and English, knowledge of Italian and/or German is a plus

Why you should join us!

What makes us special here at The Exploration Company and why we think you will enjoy working here is:  

• We’re Agile - we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind 

• We’re Open and Collaborative - we are transparent about risks and obstacles, so that we can cooperate to overcome them  

• We have a lot of Fun - we refuel our energy knowing we are democratising space. It’s a wonderful and rare opportunity, are YOU up for the challenge?  

We'd love to hear from you if you wish to be a part of our journey. Please submit your CV now for immediate consideration and we will be in touch shortly. 
 
The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.