HR Manager at Sensible Biotechnologies
Why Choose Us
Sensible Biotechnologies is a pioneering global biotechnology startup operating in the USA, UK, and Slovakia. Our vision is to bring the next generation of mRNA medicines to patients worldwide. We do this by building the first-in-class cell-based platform to make safer, more effective, and affordable mRNA therapies. In 3 years since its inception, Sensible raised over $10 million from leading specialist life science US and European investors, entered partnerships with leading biotechnology companies, and received designation of Important Project of the Common European Interest by the European Commission. Sensible was featured in the Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Endpoints News, and other global media outlets.
You will experience unprecedented personal growth, face unique challenges, and join a team that is working on technology with the potential to transform medicine as we know it.
As we continue to expand, we are looking for a dynamic and experienced Human Resources Manager to join our leadership team. The position is remote, full-time, but in near proximity to Bratislava, Slovakia.
Who We Are Looking For
Our future HR Manager is a hands-on professional, ready to take ownership of daily people operations. The ideal candidate will immerse themselves in the core functions of HR, bringing a proactive approach to both strategic planning and practical tasks. They should be eager to understand every aspect of the company’s HR operations by actively engaging in daily activities and collaborating closely with team members. This practical experience will be critical as the candidate prepares to scale people operations and build his/her own HR team following our Series A and B funding rounds. This is a unique opportunity for a driven individual to grow with the company.
The role reports directly to a member of the executive team.
We offer competitive salary, equity compensation, and the chance to help scale operations at a dynamically growing Slovak-American biotech startup. Full-time compensation starts at EUR 3,500 per month, plus stock options.
Role and Responsibilities:
HR Operations and Compliance:
- Own all HR operational processes, including onboarding, payroll, attendance, and offboarding, ensuring reliability and employee satisfaction.
- Oversee payroll processes and coordinate with external providers to ensure accurate and timely payments.
- Maintain compliance with labor laws and regulations in each jurisdiction (SK, UK, US) and proactively address changes in employment law.
- Oversee the development, updating, and enforcement of HR policies and employee handbooks, providing guidance on workplace expectations and procedures.
Performance Management and Talent Development
- Lead the design and execution of performance management processes, including regular reviews and feedback cycles.
- Develop training and professional development programs to support our employees’ growth and career progression.
Employee Relations and Culture Building
- Foster a positive, inclusive work culture that aligns with Sensibles Core Values.
- Serve as the first point of contact for employee relations issues, addressing and resolving conflicts and concerns with empathy and discretion.
- Develop and implement initiatives for employee engagement, retention, and team-building activities to create a supportive work environment.
- Communicate the company’s HR decisions and policies transparently, empathetically, and clearly with colleagues and relevant partners.
- Uphold high ethical standards and transparency to build credibility with employees, relevant counterparties, and candidates alike.
Talent Acquisition and Recruitment
- Lead end-to-end recruitment efforts for all non-executive roles, focusing on aligning talent acquisition with Sensible’s growth needs and culture.
- Collaborate with relevant technical and scientific managers to develop role-specific recruitment strategies and guide them through the interview and selection process.
- Manage candidate experience, onboarding, and relocation support to ensure that all new hires are set up for success from day one.
Compensation and Benefits Management
- Implement and extend further the company’s bonus plan and work with leadership on employee recognition initiatives.
- Propose and implement promotion policy.
- Conduct market benchmarking to ensure competitive compensation and benefits, recommending adjustments as needed.
- Evaluate and manage employee benefits programs, providing guidance on benefit options and enrollment.
- Manage Sensible’s stock option compensation plan: oversee administration, eligibility, and communication, ensuring transparency and alignment with company objectives.
Employee Health and Safety
- Ensure health, safety, and environmental compliance across all Sensible Biotechnologies sites, with a focus on maintaining safe laboratory environments for scientific staff.
- Develop and implement safety protocols, training, and regular inspections to minimize risks and ensure adherence to regulatory standards.
- Collaborate with laboratory managers to address and update health and safety procedures, ensuring alignment with best practices in biotechnology lab operations.
HR Data and Metrics
- Track and analyze HR metrics such as turnover rates, engagement scores, and time-to-hire to guide decision-making and improve processes.
- Prepare regular reports for leadership, providing insights into HR initiatives and their impact on organizational health.
Strategic HR Planning
- Work with leadership on workforce planning, ensuring HR strategies support current needs and future expansion goals.
- Assess and plan HR team requirements throughout 2025, scaling based on organizational needs across all three jurisdictions (SK, UK, US).
Job Requirements:
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Communications, Operations, or a related field; significant prior experience in a relevant area is also satisfactory.
- At least 5 years of HR experience, preferably within life sciences, biotech, healthcare, or a high-growth startup.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage HR functions, with experience building processes from the ground up.
- Prior experience with managing teams of people is essential.
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements in the biotech or pharmaceutical sectors is a plus.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and Google products;
- Fluency in both English and Slovak (or Czech).
Skills & Competencies:
- Passionate about company operations and people.
- Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple stakeholders.
- Digitally savvy and learn quickly how to use digital tools, explore options and how recurring activities and processes can be improved.
- Resourceful, proactive, and independent, with the ability to excel even under intermittent supervision.
- Meticulous attention to detail and organization;
