Senior People Partner

Open source is our beating heart and something that fuels our work and our culture. It’s where we began. It’s where we’ll always be. Our vision is to become the trusted AI and Data Platform for everyone. We are a Cast of over 400 individuals (‘Crabs’) located across the globe. Why Crabs? Because we believe in thinking sideways.

Our People team is responsible for looking after our workforce. That means everything from talent acquisition, engagement, and retention through to benefits administration and day-to-day human resources management.

At Aiven, we believe in taking very good care of our Cast of Crabs. So our focus additionally includes numerous tech and community events and ‘shell-ebrations’. Above all, people here are empathetic, communicative, and skilled in interpersonal relationships – and you will need to be too. We are currently looking for a Senior People Partner.

Who Are We

So, how do we become the trusted AI and Data Platform for everyone? By listening closely to our customers and taking action to ensure they achieve their business goals. You see, the software we create is merely a means of delivering value. Our thinking is customer-first. That’s why our customers are at the front and center of all we do. And in the spirit of sideways thinking, we’re by their side as well. Actively helping them solve their challenges. Collaborating. Sharing. And innovating. In other words, it really isn’t just about who we are. It’s about who our customers are – and where they want to be.

Our Values

We want individuals who can embody our values of ownership, courage, and openness.

What does that mean in practice?

We take ownership of the problems we solve. What we do is about improving life for our customers, enabling them to meet their goals. So we own our decisions and mistakes. Sometimes that takes courage. But we don’t falter – we take on challenges with confidence. And right at our heart is openness. We’re always open to new ideas – from wherever and whoever they come.

The Role

Within the newly established COO organization, the Senior People Partner will serve as a strategic ally and dependable advisor to EMEA based managers and senior leadership in Accounting, FP&A, Legal, People and Infrastructure. They will actively recognize and resolve intricate talent concerns to advance strategy, guarantee that employees' initiatives match business objectives, foster a positive and productive work environment, and support organizational change.

This role is a fixed-term position for family leave substitute from December 1st, 2024 to November 30th, 2025.

Responsibilities & Impact

• Strategic Partnership & Business Partnership: Build strong relationships with business leaders to understand their needs and proactively align people solutions with business objectives. Collaborate with them to develop and implement people strategies that support these objectives.

  • Impact: Drive organizational success and growth.
    
    

• Complex Case Management & Employee Relations: Effectively handle complex employee relations issues, providing expert advice, conducting thorough investigations, and facilitating resolutions.
  
  • Impact: Ensure a fair and positive work environment, minimizing risk for the company, and contributing to employee satisfaction and retention.
    
    
• Change Management: Successfully support organizational changes by coaching through change initiatives, ensuring smooth transitions, minimizing disruption, and managing communication with impacted employees.
  
  • Impact: Greater employee buy-in and minimal  productivity loss during periods of change.
    
    
• Coaching and Development & Manager Coaching: Provide coaching and development support to managers, enhancing their people management skills and leadership capabilities through guidance and mentorship.
  
  • Impact: A culture of strong leadership, employee growth, and high performance.
    
    
• HR Expertise & Consultation: Serve as a subject matter expert on HR policies, procedures, and best practices, offering guidance and ensuring compliance. Provide expert advice and support to employees and managers, ensuring that policies are followed and legal requirements are met.
  
  • Impact: Minimizes business risk and promote a fair and consistent workplace.
    
    
• Performance Management: Facilitate productive performance management discussions, providing guidance to managers and employees on performance improvement and goal setting. Facilitate performance review discussions, provide guidance on performance improvement plans, and support goal setting processes.
  
  • Impact: Increased employee engagement, productivity, and achievement of company goals.
    
    
• Talent Development & Retention: Support talent review and succession planning processes to identify and develop high-potential employees, contributing to organizational growth and stability. Participate in talent review and succession planning processes, identifying high-potential employees and supporting their development.
  • Impact: Ensure Aiven has a strong pipeline of future leaders and reduces turnover.

What We're Looking For

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically and align HR initiatives with business goals.
• Influencing Skills: Ability to influence and build consensus among stakeholders.
• Conflict Resolution: Strong conflict resolution and mediation skills.
• Coaching and Development: Experience in coaching and developing managers.
• HR Expertise: In-depth knowledge of HR best practices, legal requirements, and Finnish and/or German employment law.
• Change Management: Ability to effectively manage and facilitate organizational change in fast-paced environments.
• Stakeholder Management: Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organization.
• Previous experience partnering with C-level executive(s).

Don’t worry if your experience doesn’t line up perfectly – we still encourage you to apply! We believe in investing in our crabs’ professional growth.

Our Offer

If you ask us what’s the best thing about working for Aiven, many will probably say it’s the high concentration of talent from around the world that we have here. Enjoy the agile environment of a hyperscale scale-up where you can truly make an impact and have fun while at it.

We Invest In You

• Participate in Aiven’s equity plan.
• With Aiven locations spanning the globe, we want all of our crabs to find the right balance with our hybrid work policy.
• Get the equipment you need to set yourself up for success.
• Step up your career game with real employer support (use one of our learning platforms, annual learning budget, and more).
• Get holistic wellbeing support through our global Employee Assistance Program.

Make a Difference at Aiven

• Contribute to open source projects that you find meaningful outside of work - and get paid for it! Our Plankton program recognizes extra work to the open source ecosystem for developers and non-developers alike.
• Use up to 5 days per year to volunteer for a good cause of your choice.
• Join one of our team member resource groups - empower yourself and others in missions that resonate with you.

What Else?

• Your wellbeing matters: we provide extensive Occupational Health Care and lunch benefits
• Love breakfast? So do we! Join us at our monthly office breakfast
• We also have you covered by statutory accident insurance

Amazing! What’s next?

If you think Aiven is the place for you, send us your CV, and we’ll get in touch!

How to Recognise and Avoid Employment Scams

There has been a rise in fake job postings used by scammers to get personal information. Please familiarise yourself with the red flags of a potential scam.

Here at Aiven, all of our emails relating to recruitment come from an @aiven.io, @greenhouse.io or @eu.greenhouse.io domain and all of our interviews are conducted over video call or in person, our interviews will never occur over text or chat. If you’re unsure of the legitimacy of a job opportunity/offer pertaining to Aiven, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at recruitment@aiven.io.

Equal Opportunities

Aiven provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, marital and family status or without regard to any other similar personal attributes. Aiven complies with applicable local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, training and any other terms and conditions related to employment.

At Aiven, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities or special needs in our working environment and job application procedures. We make all reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or who otherwise need support to thrive in the workplace. We are committed to continuously improving workplace accessibility. There is an option to request a discussion in the application process but if you have any questions before applying please write to us at recruitment@aiven.io.

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