People Operations Manager

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 a People Operations Manager, you will join a dynamic and international team, collaborating cross-functionally with Talent Acquisition, Legal, Finance, and other departments. Your role will focus on handling and coordinating monthly payroll preparation, providing HR administrative support, managing metallurgy-specific aspects and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSE), and supporting the establishment and improvement of people processes.

These processes include employer branding, company culture, performance management, learning and development, and compensation and benefits.

Your focus area will primarily be the French branch of The Exploration Company, where you will ensure legal compliance, enhance employee experience, and foster a positive and high-performing company culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll Management:

  • Prepare and coordinate monthly payroll processes with a focus on France, covering the entire employee lifecycle (e.g., payroll registration, personal and employment data updates, time off, and absences).

  • Ensure accuracy and compliance with French labor laws, taxation, and social security requirements.

• Metallurgy-Specific HR Management:

  • Collaborate with technical teams to address HR aspects related to metallurgy-specific workstreams.

  • Ensure compliance with regulatory and operational requirements in the metallurgy domain.

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSE):

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

• HR Administrative Support:

  • Act as the first point of contact for employees in France for HR-related topics.

  • Handle visa and work permit administration, focusing on France, and provide support to employees relocating or requiring work authorization.

  • Create and update HR policies and procedures in line with local labor legislation and GDPR compliance.

• People Process Development:

  • Support the establishment or upgrading of people processes, including company culture initiatives, and performance management systems.

  • Drive learning and development programs to support career growth and employee upskilling.

  • Assist in designing and implementing competitive compensation and benefits strategies.

• HRIS and Analytics:

  • Maintain and enhance the HRIS system (Personio) to improve data accuracy, reporting, and analytics capabilities.

• Employee Engagement and Well-being:

  • Monitor working conditions, well-being, engagement, and turnover rates, ensuring timely interventions to improve employee satisfaction.

• Project Management:

  • Own People & Culture projects and initiatives, delivering improvements in HR operational efficiency.

  • Oversee ESG shareholder reporting and HR compliance-related projects.

What we would love to see from you

• Experience:

  • At least 2 years of experience as an HR / People Operations Manager, Admin, or Generalist in a French company.

  • Proven experience in payroll preparation and coordination, particularly in multi-country environments.

  • Background in handling HR aspects of metallurgy or other technical fields is a strong plus.

  • Solid understanding of French labor laws, taxation, and social security systems. Familiarity with German labor law is a bonus.

  • Advanced skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

  • Experience with HRIS tools such as Personio or similar platforms.

  • Fluent communication skills in English and French; knowledge of additional languages is a plus.

  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and foster positive relationships across teams.

  • Passion for developing people processes that enhance company culture and employee experience.

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

• Nice to have:

  • Experience in visa and work permit processes.

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.