HR & People Manager
International Space Federation (ISFS SA)
Location:
Martigny, Valais, Switzerland
Employment type:
Part-time (60% — 3 days/week), permanent
Reporting to:
Chief Legal and Governance Officer
Languages:
English and French required; German an asset
Status:
Swiss citizen / Residence Permit B or C / EU or EFTA citizen
ABOUT US
The International Space Federation (ISFS SA) is dedicated to advancing scientific understanding and technological progress in energy and gravity, with a focus on quantum vacuum research. By integrating diverse scientific disciplines, we aim to develop sustainable energy solutions and contribute to addressing global ecological challenges.
Beyond energy, we are actively developing biotechnology applications through resonance technologies, placing us at the intersection of physics, biology, and sustainable innovation. ISFS is also committed to fostering global academic collaboration and promoting education in these critical scientific areas.
We are a tight-knit, ambitious group of international scientists, engineers, and support staff based in Martigny. With a current team of around 20 people and an active growth phase ahead, we are turning research into a portfolio of highly promising products and licensable technologies.
Join us to turn bold new ideas into world-changing technology.
ROLE OVERVIEW
ISFS is entering an exciting new chapter as we expand our Swiss operations and welcome additional team members to Martigny. We are looking for an exceptional HR & People Manager to lead our HR function from the inside.
This is a rare opportunity to join at a pivotal moment. You will be the first dedicated HR professional within ISFS, responsible for architecting and executing the HR function — from Swiss employment law compliance and people operations to culture-building, performance management, and long-term organisational development.
A central and immediate priority for the role is supporting the onboarding and integration of new and incoming team members in Switzerland: managing employment contracts, navigating the Swiss three-pillar pension system (BVG/LPP), advising on permit and residency requirements, and ensuring a smooth experience for everyone joining the Swiss team.
Reporting to the Chief Legal and Governance Officer and working closely with the CEO, COO, and CFO, you will drive the strategic HR roadmap while also handling day-to-day operations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Swiss People Operations & Onboarding (Immediate Priority)
• Lead onboarding and the issuing of Swiss employment contracts for new and incoming team members, ensuring legal compliance and continuity of benefits
• Navigate Swiss residency and work permit requirements (B, G, and L permits) for EU and non-EU nationals, coordinating with external immigration counsel as needed
• Advise on and implement Swiss pension enrolment (BVG/LPP), including contribution structures and coordination with a pension fund provider
• Guide team members through the Swiss three-pillar pension system (AVS/AI/APG, LPP, voluntary pension) and health insurance (LAMal) obligations
• Support relocation logistics for team members and their families, including practical onboarding to life in Valais
Organisational Design & HR Strategy
• Lead a competency framework and skills mapping exercise across all roles to support workforce planning and recruitment
• Build and maintain scalable HR processes and infrastructure from the ground up, including an HRIS appropriate to ISFS’s size and complexity
• Act as a strategic HR business partner to the leadership team on people strategy, headcount planning, and organisational effectiveness
Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
• Manage job postings, screening, interviews, and offers for administrative and operational roles
• Source and manage relationships with specialist recruiters for technical and executive hires (physicists, engineers, CTO-level roles)
• Design and implement a structured onboarding programme so new joiners are set up for success from day one
• Manage international mobility, including visa applications and relocation support for incoming team members and their families
Performance Management & Compensation
• Design and implement a KPI framework and annual performance review process aligned with ISFS’s scientific and operational objectives
• Develop a bonus structure linked to measurable individual and team KPIs, and contribute to the design of broader employee reward and recognition schemes
• Benchmark compensation against Swiss market data (R&D, engineering, executive) and maintain an up-to-date salary grid
• Oversee payroll and benefits administration, working closely with the Group Finance Director and Executive Administrator
Culture, Engagement & Employee Relations
• Champion a people-first, inclusive culture across a highly international and multicultural team
• Design and implement engagement and wellbeing initiatives suited to a high-performance research environment
• Mediate workplace disputes and manage disciplinary processes in compliance with Swiss employment law and ISFS policy
• Support leaders in addressing performance issues with tact and professionalism
Legal & Compliance
• Ensure full compliance with Swiss labour law (Code des obligations, LTr, LEtr, LDIP) and applicable cantonal regulations in Valais
• Maintain accurate HR documentation, contracts, and personnel files in line with Swiss data protection law (nLPD)
• Ensure compliance with Swiss health and safety obligations
• Coordinate with external legal advisors on complex employment matters and executive compensation structures
YOUR PROFILE
This role is designed for an HR professional who thrives on building from scratch: someone with the technical expertise to navigate complex Swiss and cross-border employment matters, and the interpersonal skills to support a multicultural team through change with confidence and care.
• 7+ years of HR experience, ideally in international or multinational contexts
• Deep knowledge of Swiss labour law, social insurance (AVS/AI/APG, LPP/BVG), and employment compliance
• Experience managing onboarding and relocation programmes for international employees, including permit and residency processes
• Solid understanding of Swiss compensation benchmarking and the Swiss total rewards landscape
• Experience building HR functions in fast-growing SMEs, research organisations, or mission-driven companies
• Emotionally intelligent, culturally curious, and able to build trust across all levels of the organisation
• Solutions-driven and comfortable operating in ambiguity — able to translate strategy into clear, practical processes
• Strong project management skills, able to run multiple workstreams without losing rigour
• Fluent in French and English; German or other languages a plus
• Based in or willing to commute to the Martigny / Valais region
WHAT WE OFFER
• A high-visibility role at the heart of a pioneering deep-tech and biotech research and development structure
• Direct partnership with the CEO, and the Executive Leadership team, with exposure to a world-class international scientific team
• The opportunity to build the in-house HR function from the ground up
• A dynamic and growing Valais office
• A competitive compensation and benefits package, with the opportunity to contribute to the design of broader employee reward schemes
• Indicative salary range: CHF 54’000–CHF 66’000 per annum (60% of full-time equivalent CHF 90’000–CHF 110’000), commensurate with experience
