Global HR Manager

Team: People / HR · Full-time
Location: Helsinki, Finland (hybrid: on-site and remote)

About Capalo AI

At Capalo AI, we are accelerating the green energy transition by maximizing the value of large-scale energy storage systems through artificial intelligence and optimization. Our platform, Capalo Zeus VPP™, operates battery energy storage systems as a virtual power plant, helping asset owners generate higher revenues while supporting a more resilient and sustainable energy grid.

We are growing fast across Europe, with a team spread over several countries and new markets opening every year. To support that growth, we are hiring our first Global HR Manager.

The role

As Global HR Manager, you will own how Capalo AI hires, contracts, pays and looks after its people across Europe. You will run HR operations in Finland and Romania today and build the setup that lets us employ people in new countries quickly and compliantly, whether through our own entities or Employer of Record (EoR) partners, and you will take part in our go-to-market work as we enter new countries. This is a hands-on role with real ownership: you will build processes, policies and tools as the company scales.

Key responsibilities

• Own the employee lifecycle and people data, from the employment contract through to the start of offboarding: onboarding, probation, changes in role, salary or working time, leaves, and performance and development reviews, with accurate employee records in our HRIS at every step.

• Support market entry: take part in go-to-market initiatives in new countries, advising on hiring models, local employment law considerations, costs and timelines.

• Drive people compliance, policies and instructions: develop and maintain HR policies, the employee handbook and practical instructions (remote and cross-border work, travel, working time, leave), and make sure people processes meet employment law, GDPR and other requirements in each country.

• Manage salaries and contribute to job architecture: run salary administration and salary reviews, provide salary benchmarking, and contribute to job architecture, levels and job design together with the VP People.

• Own employee wellbeing, occupational health and safety, and insurances: manage occupational health care providers and insurance companies, coordinate statutory and voluntary insurances, make sure occupational safety obligations are met, and develop our wellbeing offering.

• Support managers and employees as the go-to partner on people matters, from day-to-day questions to sensitive cases.

• Manage employment contracts across Finland, Romania and new European countries: draft, issue and maintain contracts, amendments and terminations that comply with local employment law.

• Manage Employer of Record (EoR) partnerships: select and contract EoR providers, onboard employees through them, and decide with leadership when to move from EoR to our own entity.

• Coordinate relocation and international mobility: work and residence permits, relocation support for new hires, and cross-border work arrangements such as A1 certificates and social security coverage.

• Run payroll with external payroll providers and Finance: ensure accurate, on-time monthly payroll, pensions and statutory contributions in each country.

• Develop HR tooling and reporting: improve our HRIS and report on headcount, people costs and attrition.

What we’re looking for

Must-haves

• Several years of experience in an HR Manager or equivalent role, including hands-on HR operations, employment contracts and payroll in Finland.

• Experience employing people in several European countries, through own entities and/or Employer of Record providers.

• Strong knowledge of Finnish employment law, statutory insurances and occupational health care, plus a working understanding of the wider European employment legal landscape, so you know what to consider when entering a new market.

• Proven ability to work across countries and regions, juggling different legal frameworks, cultures and time zones.

• High work rate and scale-up readiness: you move fast, handle many things at once, and enjoy building structure, policies and processes while the company grows quickly.

• AI and automation readiness: you use AI tools in your daily work and look for ways to automate and simplify HR processes.

• Excellent communication in English, and sound judgement with confidential matters.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with Romanian employment practices, or with HR in Central and Eastern or Southern Europe.

• Experience in a startup or scale-up, ideally in technology or energy.

• Familiarity with HRIS and payroll tools, and with equity or option programme administration.

Why Capalo

• Build the HR function of a fast-growing international company, with real ownership from day one

• Shape how we expand into new European countries

• Work on technology that is accelerating the transition to renewable energy

• Join a fast-growing company at the intersection of AI and energy markets

• Work with a highly collaborative and mission-driven team

What to expect

• Location: Helsinki, Finland

• Working mode: Hybrid, a mix of on-site and remote work in Helsinki

• Reports to: VP People

• Recruitment process: First interview → Case assignment (e.g. setting up a hire in a new country) → Interview with leadership → Bar raise

How to apply

If this sounds like a problem you’d enjoy solving, we’d like to hear from you.

Application deadline: 1st November 2026

We review applications on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early.

Capalo AI is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of every background and are committed to building an inclusive team where people can do their best work.