Building the European HR organization from scratch
The objective of this assignment was to establish a fully functional European HR organization from the ground up for a rapidly growing startup. The company, which was expanding across multiple European countries, faced the unique challenge of having a distributed workforce spread across different regions, each with its own cultural nuances and regulatory requirements.
Project Overview
This project involved several key tasks, including the recruitment of a complete HR team, the selection and hiring of the executive team (Vice President of HR, Chief Financial Officer, Chief of Staff), and the implementation of essential HR systems and processes tailored to a diverse and decentralized workforce.
Key Objectives
- Recruit and Build the HR Team: Identify key HR roles needed for the organization and develop a recruitment strategy to attract top talent for these roles and ensure the HR team reflects the diversity and cultural understanding necessary for a pan-European operation.
- Hire the Executive Team: Collaborate with the company’s leadership to define the profiles for the VP of HR, CFO, and Chief of Staff and implement a thorough selection process, including headhunting, interviews, and assessments, to hire executives who could lead the organization effectively.
- Implement HR Systems and Processes: Choose and deploy an HR Information System (HRIS). Develop standardized HR processes for recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and employee relations.
Approach and Methodology
Recruitment Strategy Development:
We conducted a detailed analysis of the European job market to identify the most competitive locations and industries for sourcing HR professionals.
We collaborated with the leadership team to define the key competencies and experiences required for each HR role. This included roles like HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition Specialists, Compensation and Benefits Managers, and HR Generalists.
For the Interview and Selection Process we developed a competency-based interview framework that assessed both technical HR skills and cultural fit.
Executive Team Hiring:
For the Executive Search we had to identify and approach candidates for the VP of HR, CFO, and Chief of Staff positions.
The selection process involved multiple stages, including initial screenings, interviews with key stakeholders, psychometric assessments, and final interviews with the CEO and Board of Directors.
A critical focus during the interviews was on ensuring that the executive team shared the company’s vision and could lead the European expansion effectively.
Outcomes and Impact
- HR Team Formation: Successfully recruited a full HR team within six months, enabling the company to scale its European operations effectively.
- Executive Leadership: The newly hired VP of HR, CFO, and Chief of Staff quickly became integral members of the leadership team, driving strategic decisions that supported the company’s expansion.
- System Efficiency: The implemented HRIS ensured operational efficiency, reduced administrative workload, and provided valuable insights through advanced reporting features.
- Strategic Alignment: HR became a strategic partner in the business, contributing to the establishment of a positive and adaptable workplace culture crucial for attracting and retaining top talent in the rapidly evolving environment of a startup. Axelera was able to grow the headcount from 30 to 130 people in 2 years.
Working with Grow Your Talent during the startup phase of Axelera AI was a great experience. Their expertise in designing the HR structure for our European organization was instrumental in our early success. Their approach ensured that our HR operations were cohesive and aligned with our business goals from the outset. In the subsequent phase of our growth, Grow Your Talent supported us in building up our executive team, a critical step for Axelera. Their insights were invaluable in helping me select key executives, including our VP of HR, CFO, and Chief of Staff. Their support ensured that we had the right leadership in place to steer the company towards future success.
Fabrizio Del Maffeo – CEO Axelera AI
Conclusion
The establishment of the HR organization was a critical step in the company’s expansion strategy. By building a strong HR foundation, hiring key executives, and implementing effective systems, the organization was well-prepared to support the company’s growth across Europe. The project concluded successfully following the handover to the newly appointed VP of Human Resources.