There are two things that you might have heard about: that Aiven is a data platform, and how AI is taking over the world. Well, Aiven is actually building the infrastructure that makes building agents or AI applications for production use cases not only possible but, most importantly, simple. We aren't just a passenger in this new world—we are building the engine.

From our humble beginnings in Finland back in 2015, we’ve now grown to over 400 people across 17 countries, achieving Centaur status in 2025. But we’re not done yet. We are architecting a "Super Centaur" future, and that requires a new kind of internal operating system.

The Role

Are you a systems architect who happens to work in People Ops? Do you get excited by the prospect of paying down operational debt and building automated infrastructure that scales across 17+ countries? If building the internal engine for a company pioneering the AI-data era sounds like your jam, then read on.

Your Mission: Architecting the Aiven 2.0 Operating System

At Aiven, we view our people (the Crab Cast) as our primary product. As our Manager of People Operations, you are the Lead Architect of the internal systems that power this product. Your goal isn't just to keep the lights on—it’s to build a world-class employee experience that scales through technology rather than headcount.

You will lead a global team of 5–7 specialists across the US, APAC, and EMEA, sitting at the intersection of Business Velocity, Regulatory Precision, and AI-Driven Efficiency.

In concrete terms, this means you’ll:

• Engineer Efficiency: Lead the transition from manual Jira and HiBob tasks to seamless, automated internal systems. Your mandate is simple: if a process can be handled by an agent, it should not be performed manually.
• Own the Workforce Lifecycle: Act as the custodian of the Aiven Insider journey. From high-stakes onboarding to frictionless offboarding, you own and translate company policies into scalable processes.
• Master Data &  Compliance: Own the Source of Truth for all workforce data. You’ll ensure our systems, processes, and policies are Audit-Ready (GDPR, SOC2) and provide the radical clarity our Executive team and Board need to make data-informed decisions.
• Bridge the Operational Interface: While separate teams own the strategy for Payroll and Global Rewards, you own the operational delivery. You ensure the data flowing into these functions is 100% accurate and compliant globally.
• Drive Systems Architecture: Oversee our People tech stack (HiBob, etc.). You aren't just a user; you are a product owner, ensuring clean handoffs between People, Finance, IT, and Security.
• Own the Vendor Relationships: You will own the strategic and operational relationship with our global HR technology and compliance ecosystem. This includes managing specialist vendors for occupational health, workers’ compensation ensuring regulatory precision.
• Lead and Enable the Team: Manage a global team of specialists, fostering a high-performance environment while ensuring they are equipped with the skills and mentorship needed to architect Aiven's internal operating system.

What We’re Looking For

• You’re a Systems Thinker: You don't patch holes; you redesign the system so the friction never returns. 
• AI Fluency: You’ve built People Ops functions that leverage AI as a competitive advantage. You are already using AI to speed up your own productivity.
• Global Navigator: You’ve walked the walk in high-growth, product-driven environments and understand the complexities of international employment law.
• A First Team Leader: You move at speed. You value radical candor, programmatic execution, and the mindset of high agency.
• Strategic Influence: You communicate with clarity, lead with data, and maintain a relentless focus on business impact. You have the courage to challenge the status quo when it creates friction for our builders.

The Setup

This role is based at our HQ in Helsinki. We believe in the power of First Team collaboration, spending 3 days a week together in the office to co-create and build the future of Aiven.

Amazing! What’s next:

If you think Aiven is the place for you and that our Values align with yours, send us your resume and we’ll get in touch!

Global Benefits:

Our global benefits are designed to help you thrive and grow, personally and professionally:

• Participate in Aiven’s equity plan.
• Balance work and life with our hybrid work policy.
• Choose the equipment you need to set yourself up for success.
• Use your Professional Development Plan budget for learning opportunities.
• Receive holistic wellbeing support through our global Employee Assistance Program.
• Inquire about our Global Time Off Commitment (Parental and Sick Leave, as well as Personal Time)
• Enjoy country-specific benefits for our global cast.

How to Recognize and Avoid Employment Scams:

There has been a rise in fake job postings used by scammers to get personal information. At Aiven, all of our emails relating to recruitment come from an @aiven.io, @greenhouse.io or @eu.greenhouse.io domain and all of our interviews are conducted by video call or in person.  Our interviews will never occur via text or chat. If you’re unsure of the legitimacy of a job opportunity/offer pertaining to Aiven, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at recruitment@aiven.io.

Equal Opportunities:

Aiven provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, marital and family status or without regard to any other similar personal attributes. Aiven complies with applicable local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, training and any other terms and conditions related to employment.

At Aiven we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities or special needs in our working environment and job application procedures. We make all reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or who otherwise need support to thrive in the workplace. We are committed to continuously improving workplace accessibility. There is an option to request a discussion in the application process but if you have any questions before applying please write to us at recruitment@aiven.io.

#LI-Hybrid

We’re a global team of over 400 people, working together to push the boundaries of open-source technology and multi-cloud solutions. Our vision is to help developers, builders, and creators bring their ideas to life with speed and simplicity, by providing a cloud data platform that makes open-source databases, search, streaming, and application infrastructure easily accessible to everyone.

The Role

We are seeking a highly experienced, results-oriented Global Payroll Operations Lead. In this role you will build, optimize, and define the future of global payroll operations at a fast-growing international tech company.

As we scale toward our next milestone, our internal operating system must be frictionless. You won't just be managing payroll; you'll be engineering a best-in-class global function that supports our talent in 17+ countries, ensuring our journey is built on a foundation of operational excellence and a lasting legacy.

What You'll Do

Payroll Strategy + Velocity

You will be defining the vision and operational roadmap for global payroll. We believe in AI-First Execution—any process that can be automated should be. You will move beyond execution to own the strategy that aligns with our international growth and aggressive business objectives.

• Own Payroll Strategy: Define the vision and roadmap across our global entities, ensuring we are ready for the next milestone in terms of compliance and scalability.
• Manage Regional Operations: Manage timely, accurate, and compliant payroll for our 4 main European entities plus smaller global countries via local vendors.
• System and Process Evolution: Assess current vendor partnerships and workflows to improve, automate, and simplify our approach.

Global Transformation & Think Sideways Innovation

At Aiven, we Think Sideways to solve complex problems. You will move the needle by conducting an end-to-end review to identify risks and implement globally consistent, yet locally relevant, processes.

• Global Process Optimization: Determine where globally consistent policies are helpful and where local nuances take precedence.
• Accounting Collaboration: Work closely with the accounting team to ensure GL and monthly reporting are accurate, streamlined, and high-signal.
• Automation & Documentation: Create standardized, easy-to-use SOPs and process maps. Recommend and execute improvements to current systems to increase efficiency and automation.
• KPI & Data Evaluation: Actively monitor payroll KPIs measuring accuracy, risk, and data quality. Build mitigation strategies to ensure our operational engine never slows down.

What We're Looking For:

Required Qualifications

• Global Expertise: 8+ years of hands-on experience managing multi-country payroll (e.g., France, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Portugal, UK, Finland).
• Compliance Mastery: Proven expertise in international jurisdictions, including benefits-in-kind and third-party payments.
• Transformation Mindset: Demonstrable success in end-to-end process design and managing system/vendor migrations.
• Project Leadership: Exceptional project management skills to deliver complex projects on time.
• Communication: Fluency in English is essential.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with major global payroll providers (e.g., Papaya Global, CloudPay).
• Experience with HRIS systems that feed payroll (e.g., HiBob).
• A certification in payroll is a plus.

Amazing! What’s next:

If you think Aiven is the place for you and that our Values align with yours, send us your resume and we’ll get in touch!

Global Benefits:

Our global benefits are designed to help you thrive and grow, personally and professionally:

• Participate in Aiven’s equity plan.
• Balance work and life with our hybrid work policy.
• Choose the equipment you need to set yourself up for success.
• Use your Professional Development Plan budget for learning opportunities.
• Receive holistic wellbeing support through our global Employee Assistance Program.
• Inquire about our Global Time Off Commitment (Parental and Sick Leave, as well as Personal Time)
• Enjoy country-specific benefits for our global cast.

How to Recognize and Avoid Employment Scams:

There has been a rise in fake job postings used by scammers to get personal information. At Aiven, all of our emails relating to recruitment come from an @aiven.io, @greenhouse.io or @eu.greenhouse.io domain and all of our interviews are conducted by video call or in person.  Our interviews will never occur via text or chat. If you’re unsure of the legitimacy of a job opportunity/offer pertaining to Aiven, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at recruitment@aiven.io.

Equal Opportunities:

Aiven provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, marital and family status or without regard to any other similar personal attributes. Aiven complies with applicable local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, training and any other terms and conditions related to employment.

At Aiven we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities or special needs in our working environment and job application procedures. We make all reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or who otherwise need support to thrive in the workplace. We are committed to continuously improving workplace accessibility. There is an option to request a discussion in the application process but if you have any questions before applying please write to us at recruitment@aiven.io.

#LI-Hybrid

We’re a global team of over 400 people, working together to push the boundaries of open-source technology and multi-cloud solutions. Our vision is to help developers, builders, and creators bring their ideas to life with speed and simplicity, by providing a cloud data platform that makes open-source databases, search, streaming, and application infrastructure easily accessible to everyone. 

The Role

As Head of Legal, you will be Aiven’s most senior legal leader, reporting to the CFO and working as a trusted partner across the executive team. You’ll lead and develop a small, world-class legal team that enables the business to move fast, win commercially, and scale globally.

Aiven has ambitious goals to build the AI infrastructure that developers want. We make open source databases, search, streaming, and application infrastructure accessible to every developer. In a world where AI has made building easier than ever, we handle the underlying complexity so builders can focus on what they're actually building.

At Aiven, we believe legal is a business accelerator — not a gatekeeper. You’ll be here to find the best path forward together with your stakeholders. You’ll bring commercial savviness, a genuine partnership mindset, and the judgment to lead your team in managing risk and drive impactful results with stakeholders. You’ll be embedded in the business, shaping deals, guiding strategy, and helping the company grow with confidence.

What You’ll Do

• Own and shape Aiven’s global legal strategy, partnering closely with the CFO, CEO, and executive leadership to align the legal function with business objectives and growth priorities — and lead and develop a small, high-performing legal team with a culture of speed, pragmatism, and commercial acumen.
• Lead the team in driving all commercial legal work: overseeing the negotiation and closing of complex SaaS agreements, strategic partnerships, reseller and OEM arrangements, and enterprise customer contracts, while building the scalable frameworks and playbooks that let the business move fast with the right guardrails.
• Provide expert counsel across corporate governance, compliance, data protection, IP, and open-source licensing, and personally lead the legal support for M&A, fundraising, and other corporate transactions alongside the finance and executive teams.
• Manage Aiven’s approach to regulatory and compliance obligations across all operating markets, oversee global external counsel relationships, and guide the team in advising on employment matters across our international footprint — all with a business-forward approach to risk.

What We’re Looking For

• A qualified lawyer with significant in-house experience at a fast-paced technology or SaaS business — you know how software companies work, how deals get done, and how to operate at pace without losing rigor.
• A genuine partnership mindset and strong commercial instincts: your colleagues see you as a business partner first and a lawyer second, and you’re known for translating complex legal matters into clear, actionable guidance and finding paths forward rather than raising barriers.
• Proven experience across multiple international jurisdictions, with a track record of supporting or leading M&A transactions, strategic partnerships, and financing rounds. Experience with open-source software licensing is a strong advantage.
• Proven experience leading and developing small, high-impact legal teams in a high-growth environment, with the executive presence to influence and challenge constructively at the highest levels of the organization.

Amazing! What’s next:

If you think Aiven is the place for you and that our Values align with yours, send us your resume and we’ll get in touch!

Global Benefits:

Our global benefits are designed to help you thrive and grow, personally and professionally:

• Participate in Aiven’s equity plan.
• Balance work and life with our hybrid work policy.
• Choose the equipment you need to set yourself up for success.
• Use your Professional Development Plan budget for learning opportunities.
• Receive holistic wellbeing support through our global Employee Assistance Program.
• Inquire about our Global Time Off Commitment (Parental and Sick Leave, as well as Personal Time)
• Enjoy country-specific benefits for our global cast.

How to Recognize and Avoid Employment Scams:

There has been a rise in fake job postings used by scammers to get personal information. At Aiven, all of our emails relating to recruitment come from an @aiven.io, @greenhouse.io or @eu.greenhouse.io domain and all of our interviews are conducted by video call or in person.  Our interviews will never occur via text or chat. If you’re unsure of the legitimacy of a job opportunity/offer pertaining to Aiven, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at recruitment@aiven.io.

Equal Opportunities:

Aiven provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, marital and family status or without regard to any other similar personal attributes. Aiven complies with applicable local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, training and any other terms and conditions related to employment.

At Aiven we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities or special needs in our working environment and job application procedures. We make all reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or who otherwise need support to thrive in the workplace. We are committed to continuously improving workplace accessibility. There is an option to request a discussion in the application process but if you have any questions before applying please write to us at recruitment@aiven.io.

#LI-Hybrid

There are two things that you might have heard about: that Aiven is a data platform, and how AI is taking over the world. Well, Aiven is actually building the infrastructure that makes building agents or AI applications for production use cases not only possible but most importantly simple. So not just a data platform, and not just a passenger in this new world. Anything but.  

From our humble beginnings in Finland back in 2015, we’ve now grown to over 400 people across 17 countries, and we achieved Centaur status in 2025 when we hit $100m ARR.  But we’re not done yet. If anything, this is still the beginning. And this is where you come in.  

The Role 

Are you a seasoned Talent Acquisition Leader with the ambition to solve problems on a global scale? Does building the talent engine for a company that’s pioneering  data infrastructure for the AI era sound like your jam? If so, then read on.  

Your Mission 

Build a talent engine to power Aiven’s next stage of growth.  To do this begins with the right philosophical approach: you should view Talent Acquisition as a proactive commercial function, and put your focus on driving simple and effective solutions.    

When it comes to hiring, you’ll specialize in building teams of engineers and technical experts focused on distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, and the open-source ecosystem. Along with that are the GTM and Central teams that help commercialise Aiven’s operations.  

On top of this, you’ll own the roadmap for talent marketing and employer brand, talent operations, talent analytics and tooling. The expectation is that you’re optimising for efficiency, and leveraging AI and automation to allow the team more time for the value-adding human tasks.  

Your day-to-day will be switching context from the small to the big problems: unblocking the bottleneck here and there, delving in and out of data dashboards, while supporting leaders on making the right talent decisions for their team.

To put it bluntly, the talent you and your team bring in will directly shape the stability, innovation, and roadmap of Aiven’s platform and growth. 

In concrete terms, this means you’ll: 

• Lead and scale a TA function that drives efficiency and quality in all that it does.
• Think beyond just recruitment and more about best practice marketing, AI and automation and enablement.   
• Work with business leaders to build a roadmap that ensures Aiven gets the talent it needs on time.   
• Coach, train and educate to ensure Aiven is raising the talent bar with every hire.
• Partner with the rest of the People team on full talent lifecycle initiatives to better improve the experience for all our candidates and employees. 

What We’re Looking For

• You’ve walked the walk: You’ve got proven experience in scaling global talent functions in high-growth, product-driven environments.
• You’re a true owner: You don't wait for instructions, but just get it done: define the roadmap, own the KPIs, and you get things done. You have strong judgment and the courage to challenge senior leaders when the talent bar is at risk.
• AI fluency: You’ve built TA functions that leverage AI and automation as a competitive advantage. 
• Programmatic execution: You design processes that are clean, scalable, and obsessively efficient. You apply the same standards of "quality and velocity" to hiring that we apply to our Kafka architecture.
• Strategic influence: You align competing stakeholders around company priorities. You communicate with clarity, lead with data, and maintain a relentless focus on business impact.

Amazing! What’s next:

If you think Aiven is the place for you and that our Values align with yours, send us your resume and we’ll get in touch!

Global Benefits:

Our global benefits are designed to help you thrive and grow, personally and professionally:

• Participate in Aiven’s equity plan.
• Balance work and life with our hybrid work policy.
• Choose the equipment you need to set yourself up for success.
• Use your Professional Development Plan budget for learning opportunities.
• Receive holistic wellbeing support through our global Employee Assistance Program.
• Inquire about our Global Time Off Commitment (Parental and Sick Leave, as well as Personal Time)
• Enjoy country-specific benefits for our global cast.

How to Recognize and Avoid Employment Scams:

There has been a rise in fake job postings used by scammers to get personal information. At Aiven, all of our emails relating to recruitment come from an @aiven.io, @greenhouse.io or @eu.greenhouse.io domain and all of our interviews are conducted by video call or in person.  Our interviews will never occur via text or chat. If you’re unsure of the legitimacy of a job opportunity/offer pertaining to Aiven, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at recruitment@aiven.io.

Equal Opportunities:

Aiven provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, marital and family status or without regard to any other similar personal attributes. Aiven complies with applicable local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, training and any other terms and conditions related to employment.

At Aiven we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities or special needs in our working environment and job application procedures. We make all reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or who otherwise need support to thrive in the workplace. We are committed to continuously improving workplace accessibility. There is an option to request a discussion in the application process but if you have any questions before applying please write to us at recruitment@aiven.io.

#LI-Hybrid