Head of People

At PAVE Space, we are redefining in-space logistics with autonomous and mobile spacecraft. Our mission is to revolutionize satellite deployment and orbit transfer through the development of a next-generation heavy Kickstage: a vehicle designed to accelerate orbit raising and optimize access to higher orbits. The PAVE Kickstage will be capable of transferring payload of more than 4 tons from LEO or GTO to GEO in under 24 hours. As Head of People, you will lead and scale the people function as the company grows from a team of 50 to its next phase. Build the structure and environment needed to support rapid growth while ensuring employees remain engaged and motivated. Key Responsibilities: Define and drive the people strategy in line with company priorities. Build and run core people operations (contracts, payroll coordination, employee records, visas) so they scale reliably. Design and improve performance and development frameworks. Design and run structured onboarding to ensure new hires integrate quickly and effectively. Build and manage performance cycles, feedback processes, and development frameworks. Use data to track employee engagement and retention, and act on the results. Anticipate organizational needs and support leadership on hiring plans and team structure. Support managers on people-related topics (performance, feedback, team structure). Ensure compliance with local labor laws and HR best practices. Select and manage HR tools and systems as the team scales. Organize team events and initiatives that reinforce company culture. Basic Requirements: 7+ years of experience in people roles, including time in a leadership position. Experience scaling a company through rapid growth. Strong understanding of employment frameworks and people operations priorities. Track record of building performance, compensation, and development structures. Ability to operate both at a strategic level and in a hands-on capacity when necessary. Strong communication skills, giving feedback and developing others. Nice to Have: Experience in deep tech, engineering-driven, or international environments. Experience building a people function from early stages. Experience supporting leadership teams through organizational change. What Sets You Apart: You can build structure without slowing the company down. You balance long-term thinking with immediate execution. You are comfortable staying close to the details while shaping the bigger picture. You understand what keeps teams engaged during fast growth. You create systems that are simple, clear, and actually used. Help us build a people function that supports the performance and engagement of those shaping the future of space. Join Pave Space. We are a fully on-site company, and all roles require daily in-person work at our office in Villeneuve (VD) - Switzerland.