Senior HR Operations Partner

About Us:
STARK is a new kind of defence technology company revolutionising the way autonomous systems are deployed across multiple domains. We design, develop, and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are software-defined, mass-scalable, and cost effective. This provides our operators with a decisive edge in highly contested environments.

We are focused on delivering deployable, high-performance systems, not future promises. In a time of rising threats, STARK is bolstering the technological edge of NATO Allies and their Partners to deter aggression and defend Europe today.

Your mission:
As Senior HR Operations Partner for Ukraine, you will take full ownership of all operational and strategic HR processes for our growing Ukrainian team. You will ensure that day-to-day people operations run smoothly while building a scalable HR framework that supports future growth.

You will be the central point of contact for the employees and managers, providing expert guidance on employment law, policies, and best practice. Working closely with the global People and Operations teams, you will help align UA operations with global processes while ensuring compliance, engagement, and a great employee experience.

This is a hands-on role where you will combine strategic oversight with operational delivery to shape how we attract, support, and retain exceptional talent.

Responsibilities:
• Support the growth of the UA entity.
• Take ownership of all UA HR operations, ensuring a smooth and compliant employee experience from onboarding to offboarding.
• Ensure compliance with UA employment law, internal policies, and best practice.
• Provide expert guidance and advice to managers and leaders on HR policies, employment law, and employee relations.
• Manage and continuously improve the full employee lifecycle, including contracts, changes, and documentation.
• Oversee payroll and benefits administration in collaboration with central HR, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
• Partner with the global HR Team to ensure consistency and alignment across regions.
• Support managers in all core people processes including performance management, absence tracking, and probation reviews.
• Review, maintain, and implement local HR policies, processes, and systems to ensure scalability and efficiency.
• Lead employee relations cases with professionalism, fairness, and discretion.
• Support the development and delivery of engagement, culture, and wellbeing initiatives.
• Analyse HR data and trends to provide insight and recommendations to leadership. 
• Act as a trusted partner to employees, maintaining confidentiality and building strong, positive relationships.

Qualifications:
• 3-5 years of experience in HR management or senior HR operations roles.
• Deep understanding of UA employment law and HR compliance requirements.
• Experience in managing payroll, benefits, and HR documentation.
• Strong experience in employee relations, including case management and dispute resolution.
• Proven ability to develop, implement, and improve HR policies and processes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust at all levels.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail and a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, scaling business environment.
• Commercially aware with the ability to balance people priorities with business goals.
• Experience working across international or multi-site teams is an advantage.