People & Culture Chapter Lead

People & Culture Chapter Lead
(medior/sr HR BP level)

Location: Haarlem, Netherlands
Employment: 0.6 FTE (3 days per week or 24 hours spread out over 3+ days)
Hybrid: Minimum 2 days per week in our vibrant Haarlem office

We're looking for a People & Culture Lead to join our team

Impala Studios: Small team, Global impact

We are Impala
Studios, a dynamic & diverse group of 65+ international colleagues, rooted in Haarlem, building apps that millions of users worldwide rely on daily. Our iOS apps span various categories, including weather, travel, utilities, gaming and content. 

Our mission is simple but powerful: to build amazing apps that people enjoy, rely on, and remember, creating the best mobile experience for everyone, everywhere.

Founded in 2009 we have since then touched the lives of millions. Our team is a tight-knit community from 15+ countries, and we thrive on collaboration and ambition.

The Role: Shape and execute our People & Culture strategy

As our People & Culture Chapter Lead, you will shape and execute our people & culture strategy, report directly to the CEO, Quintin Schevernels, and be a key voice in the Management Team. You'll lead and coach a dedicated team (HR Admin Officer (0.7 FTE) and Office Manager (0.9 FTE).

This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll balance strategic thinking with operational excellence. One day, you're designing the next iteration of the Impala Academy; the next, you're coaching a manager through a high-stakes decision. You'll cover the full talent journey: from attracting top global talent and competitive comp&ben to high-impact performance management and seamless on/offboarding. 

We believe people and teams make the difference and therefore we take good care of our people. 

What you'll deliver

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a forward-thinking P&C strategy that directly fuels our ambitious business objectives
• Serve as the trusted advisor to the leadership team on all people-related matters
• Lead critical organizational development and change management initiatives

Talent Management & Learning

• Own the end-to-end employee lifecycle: attraction, onboarding, payrolling (with external partners), development, retention, and offboarding
• Design and execute Impala Academy programmes that genuinely help our people thrive, not just train.
• Refine performance management processes to be empowering, growth-focused, and accountability-driven
• Develop clear career pathways and robust succession planning frameworks

Culture & Engagement

• Champion our company culture and principles, ensuring they are truly embedded in our daily work
• Regularly assessing our principles to ensure alignment with current company strategy 
• Drive and oversee employee engagement initiatives, from our annual survey to follow-up action plans
• Oversee culture initiatives like social events, bonding budgets, and office design (managed by the Office Manager)

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop your team of two direct reports (HR Administration Officer and Office manager)
• Ensure smooth, best-in-class HR operations and office management
• Foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing within your chapter

Employee Experience

• Be the confidential, solution-oriented go-to person for employee relations
• Ensure competitive and fair compensation & benefits practices that attract and retain top talent
• Champion our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Manage sick leave absence as the internal case manager, ensuring full legal compliance

Compliance & Operations

• Ensure 100% compliance with Dutch employment law, including specialized areas like visa applications and 30% rulings
• Oversee and maintain all HR policies, procedures, and documentation
• Manage high-value relationships with external partners (payroll, legal counsel, recruitment)

What we're looking for:

• Experience: 7+ years of experience in People & Culture/HR, including at least 1 year in a leadership/maangement role
• Mindset: Equally comfortable with strategy and rolling up your sleeves to get things done
• Scale-up DNA: Preferably experience in a start-up / scale-up environment
• Tech-Forward: Affinity for technology and AI, with a view on leveraging tools to enhance P&C efficiency and employee experience
• Knowledge base: Strong knowledge of Dutch employment law and P&C/HR best practices is essential
• Communication: Exceptional communicator, fluent in Dutch (mother tongue) and English, with the ability to build trust, provide direct feedback, and skillfully navigate sensitive employee relations
• Extra: Experience with Profile Dynamics is a nice-to-have
• Drive: You bring a proactive, solution-oriented and high-energy approach every day. 

Why join us?

• Real impact: A role with significant influence within a creative, ambitious organisation
• Culture: A collaborative, open company culture
• Flexibility & Balance: Our hybrid working model (3 days per week, minimum 2 days in our Haarlem office) supports work-life integration
• Great benefits & perks 

Benefits & Perks

You'll enjoy a package that takes care of you, so you can focus on making an impact:

• A competitive salary package with a salary range of € gross per month (full time) that reflects your expertise
• A hybrid working model for flexibility (incl. working from abroad)
• A comprehensive pension/retirement plan
• 28 paid vacation days to unwind and recharge
• A travel allowance
  and bicycle plan to ease your commute
• Access to training and development programs
• High-quality hardware and gear, including an iPhone, MacBook, iPad & Airpods
• Diverse and international company culture
• Access to a multitude of virtual and real-life events
• Provision of fresh fruits, snacks, beverages, and a daily lunch at the office
• Regular In-office massages for some self-care.

Our Company Culture

We combine the passion and agility of a dynamic tech environment with a genuine commitment to work-life balance. We're a fast-paced team that takes action, embraces
change, and aims high, prioritizing progress over perfection. 

Our culture is built on mutual respect,
caring for each other, and owning our commitments. We find joy in our work and are driven to make a meaningful impact together. There aren't just posters on the wall - they are the nine principles we live by:

1. We find joy and fulfillment in what we do

We are driven by passion and energy, finding meaning and happiness in our work and in celebrating milestones together.

2. We aim high and develop further

Our ambitions push us to learn, improve, and do better every day.

3. We care for each other and ourselves

We believe in mutual respect, support and self-care to grow stronger as a person, team and as a company

4. Optimize for impact – balancing for today and tomorrow

We focus on making meaningful decisions that drive results now while ensuring long-term success

5. We embrace change and use it as an opportunity

Change gives us the chance to grow, evolve, and do better

6. Innovation means making things better, not just new

Improvement, big or small, is what truly adds value for our users

7. Progress, not perfection, drives us forward

Every step forward brings us closer to our goals; learning by doing is key

8. We take action and make things happen

We don't wait: we step up, create impact, help others and deliver results

9. We are reliable and own our commitments

We follow through on our promises and ensure others can count on us

Inclusivity and Diversity 

We're committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is respected and has equal opportunity to thrive. Diversity in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives enriches our company and drives our success. We welcome candidates from all walks of life to apply and join our inclusive community.