People Operations Specialist EMEA

Blockstream was founded in 2014 by Dr. Adam Back and a group of fellow cryptographers and engineers who are passionate about Bitcoin and its potential to change the world. Today, Blockstream is the leading Bitcoin company, providing cutting-edge infrastructure solutions for enterprises, institutions, and individual Bitcoin users. We develop industry-leading Bitcoin self-custody solutions, Bitcoin-based financial products, second-layer scaling technologies, and enterprise-grade blockchain infrastructure. We're looking for a People Operations Specialist, EMEA , to join our People team, reporting to the Head of HR EMEA. This is a hands-on, full-spectrum HR role spanning administrative excellence, employee experience, compliance, and HR business partnering across a fast-paced, multi-country environment. You'll bring structure, attention to detail, and strong execution to everything from day-to-day HR operations to process improvement and automation. Comfort with AI tools and a curiosity for modernizing how HR is delivered are a big plus. If you thrive in a collaborative, fast-moving, and build-phase environment and want to be part of a mission-driven company at the forefront of Bitcoin innovation, we'd love to hear from you. What You’ll Be Doing (Responsibilities) Employee Experience & HR Support • Be a trusted and responsive point of contact for employees across the EMEA region • Support employees and managers with HR-related questions, policies, processes, and documentation • Lead onboarding activities and create a seamless and welcoming employee experience • Support employee relations topics with professionalism, care, and consistency • Coordinate engagement initiatives, wellness activities, and internal people programs across multiple countries HR Operations & Administration • Maintain highly accurate and confidential HRIS records and employee documentation • Coordinate payroll, benefits administration, and vendor communication across EMEA countries • Support HR compliance activities across multiple jurisdictions, with strong focus on Swiss and broader EMEA HR operations • Manage contracts, letters, employment documentation, and HR administrative workflows • Support the development and maintenance of HR policies, handbooks, and internal procedures • Ensure strong operational accuracy and attention to detail across all HR activities HR Process Improvement & Automation • Support modernization and automation of HR processes and workflows • Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through technology and AI-driven tools • Assist with the implementation and optimization of HR systems and operational processes • Bring curiosity and interest in how technology can improve employee experience and HR delivery Talent & Development • Support recruiting activities including job postings, candidate communication, interview coordination, and screening • Assist with performance review cycles, goal setting, and employee development initiatives • Coordinate training and learning opportunities across teams • Gradually grow into broader HR business partnering exposure and responsibilities over time What We Look For In You (Required Qualifications) • 5+ years of experience in People Operations, • Strong familiarity with HR operations, HR administration, HR processes, Learning and Development and employee lifecycle management • Experience supporting payroll, contracts, HR systems, and operational HR workflows • Experience working across multiple countries and jurisdictions within EMEA • Knowledge of Swiss and broader EMEA employment law and HR practices • Excellent organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail • Strong work ethic and ability to manage both strategic exposure and highly administrative tasks with equal professionalism • Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust across the organization • Curiosity and familiarity with technology, AI tools, and HR process automation • Proficiency in HRIS systems and Google Workspace (Ashby experience is a plus) • Excellent English and Italian verbal and written communication skills Nice To Haves (Preferred Qualifications) • Experience in tech, fintech, SaaS, or blockchain/cryptocurrency environments • Strong multi-country HR experience across EMEA • German and/or French language skills are highly preferred • Experience improving or automating HR operational processes • Exposure to scaling organizations or fast-growth environments This position requires regular interaction with employees, managers, candidates, and external partners across multiple countries and time zones. The People Operations Specialist EMEA will play a key role in ensuring smooth HR operations, operational excellence, compliance, and a positive employee experience across the region. Schedule: Monday-Friday, office-based in the centre of Lugano and hybrid 2 days per week.