Head of People & Culture

Own the full people agenda at one of aviation's most exciting scale-ups

About Avy

Avy pioneers unmanned aviation technology for emergency services and life-saving applications. We partner with innovative organizations that are among the first in the world to integrate long-range drone operations into their daily workflows.

We thrive on innovation, agility and bold ideas and we’ve developed a range of cutting-edge products that are ready to make impact at scale. We’re an award winning scale up in the aviation industry, we pride ourselves for combining an innovative garage startup culture with being a professional and safety minded aviation organisation.

About the role

Avy is at a thrilling growth stage. With almost 50 people (we call them Avyators), we have solid foundations, yet some processes, policies and ways of working are still evolving. Market momentum gives us a rare chance to scale fast. As the Head of People & Culture you will make it happen. You will design the frameworks and leadership that unlock the full potential of our people and turn a strong foundation into a truly future-ready, high-performing organization.

As our all-round People leader, you own the full spectrum of the employee experience, and that breadth is both the challenge and the reward. From professionalizing HR processes and coordinating payroll with our external partner, to driving leadership development, performance management and organizational effectiveness: no part of the people agenda is off your plate. Whether you're working on org-wide strategy or having a one-on-one conversation with an Avyator, you champion a culture of trust, collaboration, accountability and clarity across teams.

You have support around you: a working student takes on part of the operational work and a recruiter supports recruitment and selection. That said, you stay closely involved and own the outcomes.

Key responsibilities

• Support employees in getting the most out of their work through thoughtful talent management: from career frameworks and learning and development to identifying high-potentials and helping everyone grow within Avy.
• Own and coordinate core HR operations, including payroll, contracts, compliance with Dutch labour law, annual processes such as engagement surveys and performance reviews, and smooth recruitment coordination.
• Equip and coach managers with practical tools, guidelines and feedback to handle hiring, performance, growth and difficult conversations; meeting people where they are and helping them grow.
• Partner with the MT on people strategy and organizational design, translating strategic priorities into clear plans. This means driving workforce planning, shaping team structures, leading change management efforts and building the people metrics and OKRs that show whether we're on the right track.
• Actively foster and safeguard our culture in daily practice by organizing people & culture initiatives, addressing unhelpful behaviours and role-modeling how we work together.
• Design, implement and continuously improve concrete HR processes and systems that support Avy’s growth and performance.

About you

You're an experienced People & Culture professional with the strategic depth to shape an organization and the pragmatism to get things done. You're equally comfortable advising the MT on org design as you are supporting an individual employee through a tough moment.

You bring calm, clarity and sharp judgment to a fast-moving environment and you know how to raise the bar without losing the warmth and collaboration that make Avy great. You don't wait for things to be fully defined: you see ambiguity as an opportunity and culture as something you actively shape, every single day.

Requirements

• 8+ years of relevant People & Culture experience, with at least 2 years in a comparable all-round role. You've built and improved performance management frameworks that deliver real results, professionalized HR processes and policies with an eye for clarity without losing flexibility and acted as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on people and organizational topics.
• You operate with a high degree of autonomy, take ownership of your agenda and know how to move things forward independently.
• Strong communication skills and ability to influence at different levels.
• Solid knowledge of Dutch labor law and HR compliance.
• Availability for at least 36 hours per week, preferably 40.

What we offer

• Impactful work: Be part of a company using technology to save lives and drive sustainability.
• Leading the drone revolution: Work on advanced aerial systems projects that keep you on the front lines of innovation.
• Competitive Salary: The salary range is €5700 to €7000 depending on relevant experience. The higher end of the range is reserved for candidates who already demonstrate deep expertise in key skills plus proven impact in similar roles.
• Unlimited time off: Take the time you need to recharge and stay at your best with respect for your team and shared priorities.
• An inspiring office: Work from our awesome space in Amsterdam, featuring a maker space, sauna, and great lunches!
• Startup experience: Embrace the excitement, freedom and fast growth of an ambitious tech startup.
• A great culture: A warm and fun atmosphere with regular get-togethers, drinks, and celebrations plus a work environment built on trust, freedom, and learning from mistakes.

EU citizenship or an EU work permit is required for this position (Avy does not offer relocation support).