HR Lead

Overview

Are you excited by the challenge of working in a dynamic scale-up? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, innovative environment where your work directly impacts the future of medical research and drug development? If so, Optics
11 Life is the place for you!

WHO ARE WE?

Optics
11 Life is not just another company; we are a thriving scale-up redefining the boundaries of life sciences. Headquartered in Amsterdam (the Netherlands), we develop and manufacture groundbreaking measurement instruments that empower researchers to make life-saving breakthroughs. Our technology is transforming drug development, medical treatments, and cutting-edge research worldwide.

What sets us apart is our scale-up environment; an exciting blend of growth, innovation, and agility.

What you can expect:

• Opportunities to shape the future
  :
  In our fast-evolving market, your skills will be instrumental in driving our growth strategy and expanding globally.
• Empowerment and ownership
  : A flat hierarchy and collaborative culture mean your ideas will not just be heard; they will shape our company’s future.
• Accelerated career growth
  :
  The steep learning curve in our scale-up environment provides endless opportunities for professional and personal development.
• International exposure
  :
  Join a diverse, talented team working with customers across the globe, all united by the goal of advancing life sciences.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

At Optics
11 Life, you won't just be ticking HR boxes. As our HR lead in a 50-person life sciences scale-up, you'll wear many hats: everything from coaching managers to fixing payroll hiccups. Some days you're the strategic advisor, other days you're in the weeds. If that variety excites you, keep reading. You'll report to the CFO and work closely with the Office Manager to improve the employee experience across our growing company.

• Coach managers through the messy stuff
  :
  You're the trusted advisor when a manager needs to have a tough conversation, navigate a performance issue, or figure out how to retain their star player. This isn't policy-quoting, it's real coaching.
• Own talent acquisition end-to-end
  :
  From writing job ads to closing candidates for roles in mechanobiology (yes, you'll need to learn what a Piuma and Chiaro are). You'll build our employer brand and find people excited about our mission.
• Drive performance and development
  :
  Run our annual performance cycle, facilitate development conversations, and help people grow. In a 50-person company, you see the direct impact of your work.
• Shape culture across borders
  :
  We're international (Amsterdam HQ, 20+ nationalities, sales team across Europe, US hub). You'll help new hires integrate, maintain connection across locations, and evolve our culture as we scale.
• Be the go-to HR expert
  :
  Whether it's Dutch labor law, compensation questions, or "hey, how do we handle VISA extensions or the 30% ruling?", you're the answer person. You know your stuff and people trust you.
• Turn people data into insights
  :
  Track key HR metrics, spot trends, and provide the leadership team with data that actually drives decisions (not just reports for reports' sake).
• The reality check
  :
  Yes, you are also directly responsible for contracts, payroll coordination, HRIS management, and compliance. But unlike bigger companies, you get to shape how we do these things, not just execute someone else's process.

Skills & Competencies

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Psychology, Business, HR, or a related field;
• 3+ years in HR, ideally in a scale-up, high-growth, or international environment where you juggled diverse responsibilities;
• You don't need a playbook to copy. You figure out what this company needs and create it. Different situation = different solutions, that’s what energizes you;
• You thrive in the "some days strategy, some days admin" reality of scale-up HR. Variety is what you like;
• You're positive and pragmatic, you see problems as puzzles to solve;
• You can juggle multiple priorities and know what needs perfection vs. what needs "good enough for now";
• You’re meticulous with contracts, payroll and compliance (no salary typos, files are complete and organized, deadlines are met). You know when precision matters;
• Dutch labor law and regulations (Arbo, WOR, etc.) inside and out;
• Fluent in English, Dutch is a plus.

• An opportunity to make a significant positive impact on the culture and the growth of Optics
  11 Life;
• Freedom and responsibility in structuring and leading your own work;
• Flat hierarchy, short decision lines, big impact and development opportunities;
• Hybrid working;
• Benefits like a pension plan, L&D budget, free lunch on Wednesdays, commuting and working from home allowance;
• A motivated, dynamic and enthusiastic team;
• Social drinks and plenty of fun events during the year;
• Free parking.

If you are a motivated, self-starter who shares our passion for the life sciences and wants to join a dynamic team, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.