Director of Human Resources

At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team. We are looking to add a Director of Human Resources to our team in Munich, Germany. Reporting to the Vice President of Human Resources, this role will lead HR management and service delivery for employees and leaders across Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, partnering with local stakeholders and global HR colleagues as the business grows. This is a hands-on, multi-country HR leadership role for a builder and operator. As the company expands its engineering, operational, and manufacturing capabilities, you will strengthen HR practices across the three countries, support organizational growth, and help managers and employees navigate change. This position combines regional HR leadership with practical execution. You will partner with the Vice President of Human Resources and leaders across engineering, manufacturing, operations, programs, and corporate functions, staying close to day-to-day needs while implementing people initiatives across our European operations. The successful candidate will bring strong HR generalist and business-partnering experience in a technically complex environment, a sound understanding of German employment practices, and the ability to manage effective, locally appropriate HR delivery in Switzerland and the United Kingdom. You will balance business priorities, employee experience, compliance, and hands-on delivery without unnecessary bureaucracy. JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Lead and develop HR colleagues and coordinate local HR support and service partners across Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, establishing clear service expectations, accountability, and responsive support for employees and managers. • Oversee country-level HR operations, including onboarding, offboarding, employment documentation, payroll and benefits coordination, and local service provider relationships. • Implement and improve HR processes, policies, documentation, and workflows that support workforce growth, operational efficiency, and consistent service delivery while accommodating country-specific requirements. • Serve as a trusted HR partner to business leaders across Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, providing guidance on workforce planning, organization design, performance management, employee relations, and organizational change. • Develop a strong understanding of CesiumAstro's technology, products, programs, customers, and operating priorities while collaborating with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Program Management, Supply Chain, Finance, and other functions to address workforce and organizational challenges. • Translate business plans and growth objectives into coordinated HR priorities, headcount plans, organizational structures, hiring requirements, and workforce initiatives in partnership with Finance, Talent Acquisition, and business leaders. • Implement consistent approaches to performance management, talent reviews, career development, succession planning, and internal mobility while adapting company frameworks to local employment requirements. • Coach managers on employee development, leadership effectiveness, performance conversations, organizational structures, decision rights, and accountability. • Identify talent gaps, employee concerns, leadership challenges, and workforce risks while recommending practical actions that strengthen employee engagement, retention, and organizational effectiveness. • Manage employee relations concerns, performance issues, grievances, workplace investigations, and sensitive employee matters, coordinating with Legal and local specialists to support fair, consistent, and timely resolution. • Partner with global HR, Legal, Finance, country leadership, and local advisers to align HR policies and practices with employment laws, employee representation or consultation requirements, and data protection obligations across Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. • Support organizational changes and leadership transitions across the three countries, coordinating with global HR, Legal, and employee representatives or consultation bodies where applicable. • Maintain accurate HR data across Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, using workforce metrics and people analytics to identify trends, evaluate workforce risks, and inform management decisions. • Support workforce requirements across technical and operational teams, including staffing plans, onboarding, employee engagement, retention, and workforce scheduling. • Promote CesiumAstro's culture of speed, ownership, technical excellence, and collaboration while strengthening HR service quality, operational consistency, and organizational effectiveness across Europe. JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, Law, or a related field with 11–15 years of related experience, or Master's degree in a related field with 9–12 years of related experience in human resources management, HR business partnering, employee relations, workforce planning, organizational development, or a related human resources discipline. • 5+ years of progressive leadership or management experience leading human resources initiatives, developing HR professionals and managers, or overseeing HR operations and business partnering activities. • Experience supporting engineering, manufacturing, aerospace, hardware technology, or another technically complex organization. • Experience improving HR programs or processes in a growing organization; experience in a scale-up environment is an advantage. • Practical experience in employee relations, performance management, workforce planning, talent development, and organizational change. • Ability to deliver consistent HR processes across borders while working with in-country HR partners, payroll or benefits providers, and specialist employment advisers. • Experience supporting employees and managers in Germany and managing or coordinating HR activities across more than one European country; experience with Switzerland and/or the United Kingdom is an advantage. • Good working knowledge of German employment law and HR practices, including works council processes where applicable, together with familiarity with the distinct employment, employee consultation, and data protection requirements of Switzerland and the United Kingdom and an ability to engage local experts. • Ability to manage sensitive employee relations matters across different legal and cultural environments with discretion, fairness, and sound judgment. • Ability to improve HR processes and implement consistent, workable solutions without unnecessary complexity. • Business acumen and the ability to connect people decisions with operating needs, staffing plans, and organizational performance. • Comfort using HR systems, workforce data, and people metrics to support decisions and track results. • Ability to work effectively in a growing, fast-paced environment with changing priorities and evolving structures. • Ability to influence, constructively challenge, and coach managers and senior functional leaders. • Professional fluency in German and English, with clear written and verbal communication skills across international teams. • Ability and willingness to work on-site in Munich and travel as needed to company locations in Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. • Hands-on and execution-oriented leadership style with a strong ownership mentality and attention to detail. • Familiarity with export-controlled or otherwise regulated environments is beneficial. CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. Please be aware that many roles will be subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors including new starter’s nationality, any previous or dual nationalities held, place of birth and country of residence may limit those roles that you can perform for the organization. Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members not through our approved vendor list or Talent Acquisition will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees. Find more English Speaking Jobs in Germany on Arbeitnow