Human Resources

Position overview

We're looking for a People & Operations Business Partner to join our growing team at Lemba Therapeutics. This is a unique opportunity for a proactive, resourceful HR professional who thrives in a startup environment and enjoys operating across HR, finance, and administration. In this role, you'll own the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding to payroll, performance, and compliance, while partnering closely with leadership on culture, compensation, and organizational growth. You'll also oversee day-to-day operational processes such as payroll coordination, benefits administration, and compliance with Dutch labor and tax laws. This is a hands-on, high-impact role ideal for someone who enjoys both strategy and execution, and who's excited to build scalable people systems that support a fast-moving, science-driven biotech company.

Administrative and financial responsibilities

• Oversee and audit monthly payroll processing by collaborating with the outsourced payroll vendor and internal Financial Controller. Ensure salary adjustments, reimbursements, bonuses, and hourly data are accurate, compliant, and processed on schedule.
• Administer employee attendance, leave, and vacation programs while coordinating with insurance providers and the company physician on disability and medical leave cases to ensure compliance with Dutch labor regulations.
• Manage and maintain pension and employee benefits programs, including enrollment, renewals, and employee communications. Oversee allocation of company resources and workspace ("free space") as part of benefits and operational planning.
• Develop, track, and maintain annual HR and people operations budgets in close coordination with the CFO and Financial Controller, ensuring financial discipline and transparency across all HR-related spend.
• Ensure accuracy, integrity, and compliance of all HR data, documents, and systems. Generate timely reports and analytics to support decision-making by leadership.
• Maintain full compliance with GDPR standards, enforcing best practices for secure handling and storage of all employee and payroll-related data.

Human Resources responsibilities:

• Lead full-cycle recruitment — from posting job openings and screening candidates to coordinating interviews and preparing employment contracts — ensuring all hiring practices align with Dutch employment law, inclusivity principles, and diversity goals.
• Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes, ensuring smooth integrations for new hires and compliant, well-documented terminations, including return of assets and final settlements.
• Design and administer competitive compensation and benefits packages in collaboration with management, ensuring equity, compliance, and alignment with market benchmarks.
• Coordinate work permits and immigration matters for non-resident employees, including applications for the 30% ruling, in partnership with external advisors and the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service).
• Support employee learning and development initiatives, including training programs, company events, and team-building activities that strengthen engagement and retention.
• Implement and manage the performance review process, guiding managers through annual evaluations and fostering a culture of continuous feedback and professional growth.
• Advise and coach team leaders on employee relations, performance management, and people-related decision-making in accordance with Dutch labor law and internal policies.
• Handle workplace concerns and investigations with fairness and confidentiality, overseeing disciplinary actions and conflict resolution procedures when necessary.
• Drive employee engagement and culture-building initiatives, including surveys, action plans, and communication strategies that promote transparency, trust, and collaboration.
• Maintain up-to-date HR policies and employee manuals, providing clear guidance to staff on HR, payroll, and pension matters while ensuring accessibility and legal accuracy.
• Ensure full compliance with Dutch wage, labor, and health & safety regulations, liaising with ARBO services, tax authorities, and pension bodies as needed, and supporting audits related to employment, benefits, or taxation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• In-depth knowledge of Dutch labor law, including the Dutch Civil Code (Burgerlijk Wetboek) and the Working Conditions Act (Arbowet), with proven experience applying these in practice.
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience in the Netherlands, ideally including payroll coordination, HR operations, and compliance oversight.
• Demonstrated experience in an international and multicultural organization, with the ability to adapt policies and practices across diverse teams.
• Fluent in both Dutch and English (written and verbal); additional European language skills are a plus.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace; familiarity with Nmbrs (Pay and Hire), and other HRIS systems preferred.
• Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to operate autonomously and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, startup environment.
• High degree of integrity and discretion when handling confidential information and employee data (GDPR compliance focus).

Compensation

• Competitive monthly gross salary, commensurate with experience and market standards.
• 8% holiday allowance paid in addition to the gross annual salary.
• Annual 13th-month bonus paid in December.
• Equity participation through stock options in Lemba Therapeutics.
• Performance-based bonus structure, rewarding exceptional contribution and results.

Employment terms

• Employment Type: Full-time or part-time (32–40 hours per week)
• Contract Type: One-year fixed-term contract, with the strong possibility of a permanent position based on performance and mutual fit.
• Working hours: 32 to 40 hours.
• Place of Work: Wijchenseweg 10 F, Nijmegen, Netherlands

About Lemba Therapeutics

Lemba Therapeutics is a pioneering biotech startup unlocking the therapeutic potential of the non-coding genome. We develop next-generation RNA medicines that target long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) to treat inflammation, cancer, metabolic, and autoimmune diseases. Our AI-driven discovery platform integrates functional genomics and high-throughput screening to identify highly selective antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that precisely modulate disease pathways.

Headquartered in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, our international team combines deep expertise in RNA biology, immunology, and data science. At Lemba, we embrace a dynamic, hands-on startup environment — where collaboration, creativity, and curiosity drive real breakthroughs in RNA therapeutics.

Lemba Therapeutics is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.