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Buena (backed by GV) is transforming property management across Germany by making real estate as simple and transparent as buying an ETF. The company has grown to become Germany's third-largest property management firm in just three years with a small HQ team, and is expanding rapidly through acquisitions of property management companies nationwide.
As Head of People Operations, you will build the operational HR foundation for over 1,000 employees across Buena's Berlin headquarters and portfolio companies throughout Germany. The role focuses on establishing reliable, scalable HR processes that function seamlessly as the company integrates new acquisitions monthly.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing Personio (HR system) configuration, permissions, workflows, and data quality across Germany
- Integrating new portfolio companies into People Operations by auditing existing data and processes, resolving discrepancies, and migrating to standardized systems
- Designing and implementing repeatable HR processes covering contract creation, onboarding, contract modifications, promotions, and offboarding with clear ownership, approvals, and controls
- Supporting employment law cases by clarifying facts, advising leadership on next steps, and coordinating implementation with decision-makers and legal counsel
- Ensuring payroll data quality by verifying timely communication of changes and resolving discrepancies
- Improving systems by translating recurring problems into better templates, clear workflows, and appropriate automations; providing operational reporting on data gaps, open cases, and integration progress
You will serve as a trusted advisor to executives and managers on HR matters, determining when to handle issues independently versus when to engage legal support.
Requirements:
- Proven operational HR responsibility for several hundred employees, ideally across multiple entities or locations
- Track record of building, implementing, and managing HR processes in ongoing operations
- Independent experience configuring Personio or comparable HR systems, including data migration, permissions, workflows, and data quality management
- Strong knowledge of German employment law and practical experience with complex personnel matters, particularly terminations and conflict resolution
- Ability to recognize which cases you can handle independently versus when legal support is needed
- Ability to set clear priorities and reliably manage processes to completion even with incomplete information
- Experience in fast-growing companies (VC-backed startups, PE-backed firms, or companies with frequent acquisitions)
- C2-level German language proficiency
- Willingness to work in-office at Berlin headquarters daily
