People Operations Lead (f/m/d)
About us
We see the semiconductor industry as a realm of possibility. We see opportunity. We see the profound impact that our graphene solutions will have in transforming the industry. We invite you to join us in driving change with our fundamentally human-centered approach, uniting bright minds around a shared vision. The vision is: Prove to everybody that you can make a fundamental change. Prove with your knowledge and skills how things can be done differently. Together, we can change the paradigm of how the world connects.
The Role
Black Semiconductor is hiring a People Operations Lead to strengthen and scale our day-to-day People Operations in Germany as we grow globally. This is a hands-on, operational leadership role in a small team: you will run core employee lifecycle processes yourself, improve and document workflows, own People data quality, and build policies that are clear, compliant, and practical.
This role is ideal for someone who is an experienced People Ops specialist and ready to take the lead (without needing a big hierarchy), or a first-time team lead who enjoys being close to the work while raising the bar for structure and service.
What You’ll Do
Employee lifecycle & operations
Manage and execute the end-to-end employee lifecycle in Germany, including contracts, onboarding, changes, offboarding, documentation, and employee letters.
Ensure smooth day-to-day operations by serving as the main point of contact for operational HR matters for both employees and managers.
Oversee policies, compliance, and HR governance.
Draft, implement, and maintain People policies and SOPs (such as remote work, working time, absence, travel, allowances), ensuring alignment with German labor law and internal standards.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external counsel as needed, ensuring thorough documentation and full auditability.
People data, systems & reporting
Take ownership of data quality in the HRIS, including managing structures, workflows, permissions, document management, and reporting.
Create recurring People metrics and dashboards (such as headcount, turnover, absence, time-to-hire inputs, contract types, etc.) and enhance the delivery of People insights to leadership.
Process design & scaling
Identify friction points, streamline processes, and develop scalable workflows as the company grows, including templates, checklists, service SLAs, and internal FAQs.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives across People Ops, implementing practical changes that reduce manual work and enhance the employee experience.
Payroll & benefits interface
Coordinate payroll inputs with internal and external providers to ensure monthly accuracy, and manage the operational aspects of benefits administration.
Support visa, immigration, and relocation cases in collaboration with external vendors.
Collaboration & people leadership
Collaborate closely with the broader People team and provide support and mentorship
Foster strong working relationships with Finance, Legal, and Hiring Managers to ensure smooth and compliant operations.
Your Profile
Several years of experience in People Operations in Germany, ideally in a startup, scale-up, or other fast-growing environment.
Strong operational expertise across the full employee lifecycle, including contracts, official letters, onboarding and offboarding, and HR documentation.
Proven experience building and improving structured processes such as SOPs, templates, and workflows to ensure reliable and compliant operations.
Hands-on and pragmatic in your approach, with a focus on execution, documentation, and continuous improvement.
Confident working with HR data and systems, with solid HRIS experience (Personio strongly preferred).
Fluent in German and English, with German required for contracts, policies, and day-to-day operations.
High level of ownership, strong attention to detail, and a clear service mindset.
Calm and structured under growth pressure, with the ability to prioritize and create clarity in dynamic environments.
Experience coordinating payroll with an external provider and managing benefits administration is nice to have.
Experience working with immigration or relocation vendors and handling mobility cases is a plus.
Initial experience mentoring or leading a small team, or the motivation to step into such responsibility is a plus.
Our work culture
People Over Processes. At Black Semiconductor, flexibility is key—we ensure work adapts to life, not the other way around. We champion work-life harmony, where careers are meaningful and enriching. Our processes are human-centric, allowing you to focus on what matters/
Let’s grow together. Your potential is our priority. We provide the autonomy to make a lasting impact and nurture your growth through a culture of continuous learning. We invest in your journey for professional and personal development/
Your Health and Future Matter. Your well-being is paramount. We offer a comprehensive benefits package with outstanding insurance, pension and virtual stock options for your mental, physical, and financial health. Your peace of mind is our priority - in the present and future/
We Live Openness. Collaboration and inclusivity are the cornerstones of our culture. We practice openness, fostering trust and respect. Individuality is our collective strength, fueling innovation and driving us forward/
We connect chips – and people. We encourage qualified individuals from any background to apply. We foster an inclusive and supportive work environment that values collaboration, innovation, and growth. Join our team and be part of an organization dedicated to making a difference in the industry/
Can you picture yourself in this Role and our Company? Let’s connect!