About Rippling

Rippling gives businesses one place to run HR, IT, and Finance. It brings together all of the workforce systems that are normally scattered across a company, like payroll, expenses, benefits, and computers. For the first time ever, you can manage and automate every part of the employee lifecycle in a single system.

Take onboarding, for example. With Rippling, you can hire a new employee anywhere in the world and set up their payroll, corporate card, computer, benefits, and even third-party apps like Slack and Microsoft 365—all within 90 seconds.

Based in San Francisco, CA, Rippling has raised $1.2B from the world’s top investors—including Kleiner Perkins, Founders Fund, Sequoia, Greenoaks, and Bedrock—and was named one of America's best startup employers by Forbes.

We prioritize candidate safety. Please be aware that all official communication will only be sent from @Rippling.com addresses.

What is an Employer of Record (EOR)?
An Employer of Record (EOR) is a service provider that allows companies to legally hire and work with employees in foreign countries without establishing their own legal entity in that country. This is made possible through a legal arrangement where the EOR establishes its own legal entity in the country and hires employees on behalf of the client company. This arrangement offers a viable solution for companies that wish to expand their global reach without investing in setting up a legal entity in every country where they operate.

About the Role

As a Senior HR Advisor, you will play a pivotal role in supporting Rippling’s Employer of Record (EOR) service in Austria and Germany, helping companies hire and manage employees globally. You will guide clients through the employee lifecycle—from onboarding to offboarding—while handling employee relations, claims, and regulatory risks with a high degree of professionalism and cultural fluency.

You’ll also partner with cross-functional teams, including Product, Engineering, and Compliance, to refine workflows and systems that deliver a seamless, tech-enabled HR solution.

This is a unique hybrid opportunity: in addition to your HR advisory scope, you will pursue certification to become Rippling’s licensed trade manager (Gewerberechtlicher Geschäftsführer) under Austrian trade law for labor leasing (Arbeitskräfteüberlassung). This role comes with legal and regulatory responsibility for Rippling’s Austrian leasing license under GewO § 39, and includes preparing for and completing the Austrian Befähigungsprüfung exam. Rippling will sponsor your exam registration and provide legal guidance throughout the certification process.

This is a high-impact opportunity to shape Rippling’s growth and compliance presence in Austria and Germany, and to become a key contributor to our expansion in the DACH region.

HR Responsibilities

• Policy and Procedure Development: Draft and implement compliance-driven policies and detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for leave management, performance management, investigations, claims, terminations, unemployment benefits, workers’ compensation, and grievance investigations.
• Employee Relations and Risk Mitigation: Handle complex employee relations issues, including leave management, terminations, and other matters posing regulatory risks.
• Workflow and System Setup: Collaborate with product, engineering, and compliance teams to configure and test workflows for hiring, onboarding, transitions, terminations, and statutory benefits.
• Client- and Employee-Focused Support: Respond to client and employee inquiries, develop programs and resources (e.g., help center articles, HR policies, etc.), and ensure the delivery of accurate, efficient HR services.
• Knowledge Transfer and Training: Train and coach internal HR Advisors on country-specific requirements to ensure continuity and compliance.
• Process Optimization: Design scalable, efficient processes that enhance the professionalization and delivery of HR services.
• POA: Serve as the designated Power of Attorney (POA) for the legal entity/entities they support, with responsibilities including signing employee documentation and ensuring compliance with local employment regulations.

Trade Law Manager Responsibilities 

• Step into the role of Gewerberechtlicher Geschäftsführer (trade law manager) for Rippling’s Austrian labor leasing license and serve as the responsible person for legal and regulatory compliance for licensed employee leasing and employer of record services in Austria.
• Complete the Befähigungsprüfung exam required to hold this regulated trade position (Rippling will fully support certification).
• Manage and advise on compliance with cross-border employment, labour leasing and regulatory requirements under Austrian labour leasing laws, including devising and executing strategies and policies, maintaining required records and filings and identifying any legal and regulatory risks.
• Be available to attend regulatory inspections, district authority hearings, and liaise with Austrian trade bodies.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Experience in both Germany and Austria HR advisory or consulting services, or an internal HR role in a fast-paced organization.
• Educational background that satisfies Austrian access requirements for labor leasing licensing:
• • University degree or equivalent university of applied sciences degree program in Business Administration, Law, HR, Sociology, Economics, or Industrial Engineering, or
  • Austrian vocational equivalent (e.g., Handelsakademie, HTL).
• Strong knowledge of local labor laws, employment regulations, collective agreements, and cultural nuances in Austria and Germany.
• Expertise in managing employee claims related to unemployment, disability/leave, grievances, and statutory benefits.
• Demonstrated experience as a power user of HRIS platforms, with the ability to troubleshoot and configure workflows.
• Competency in payroll concepts, including pay slip interpretation, wage components, and tax withholdings.
• Exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication skills—written and verbal—with a client-centered mindset.
• Fluency in German and English is required.

Nice to Have

• Experience administering pension and benefits programs in Austria or Germany.
• Experience in leading functions, departments and/or direct reports.
• Exposure to multi-country and cross-border HR support, especially across EMEA.
• Prior involvement with staffing agencies, labor leasing operations, or regulated trade functions in Austria.

Note: please submit your CV in English