Senior People Business Partner

Join Proton and build a better internet where privacy is the default 

At Proton, we believe that privacy is a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of democracy. Since our inception in 2014, founded by a team of scientists from CERN, we have dedicated ourselves to providing free and open-source technology to millions worldwide, ensuring access to privacy, security and freedom online. 

Our journey began with Proton Mail, the largest secure email service globally, and has since expanded to include Proton VPN, Proton Calendar, Proton Drive, and Proton Pass. These tools empower individuals and organisations to take control of their personal data, break away from Big Tech’s invasive practices and defeat censorship. Our work impacts hundreds of millions of lives, from activists on the front lines defending freedom to leaders in governments protecting sensitive information. In some cases, Proton’s services have even been instrumental in saving lives by enabling secure and private communications in high-risk situations. 

Proton today supports over 100 million user accounts with a growing team of over 500 people from over 50 different countries, from the world's top companies and universities. We value intelligence, learning potential and ambition in our hiring process. Adaptability is key as we navigate uncharted territories and redefine how business is conducted online. We believe smaller teams of exceptional talent will always prevail over larger teams with lower talent density. Proton has become profitable and reached scale without relying upon VC funding, largely due to superior talent that allows us to do things faster, more creatively and more efficiently. 

We have a global mindset and big ambitions but remain a start-up at heart. We value empowerment and flexibility and keep our structure flat to keep moving fast and avoid unnecessary politics. Tired of blending into the crowd? Join us and do work you can truly be proud of. Check our social media pages to learn more about us: Reddit, X, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn. 

Role overview

We're looking for a self-starting Senior People (HR) Business Partner to help us shape the future of Proton. Acting as a change agent, you'll design and own the employee lifecycle to maximise engagement and productivity. You'll partner with leaders across the organisation to align our capabilities with our business priorities.

This role is for you if you have prior experience in a fast-paced, scale-up environment with a track record of impulsing a sense of purpose, urgency and excellence.

What you’ll do

• Roll-out and own the employee experience, from on- to off-boarding
• Review and analyse business data to understand trends, identify opportunities and recommend solutions in order to maximise productivity and engagement
• Consult and coach managers at all levels, as well as individual contributors, on people-related matters with the aim of building high-performing teams, partnering with stakeholders across the board to develop HR strategies that can support the business needs in areas such as performance, development, retention and organisation design
• Build credibility and trust among staff, while also being an ambassador for our culture and policies
• Consult and advise on talent reviews and annual merit planning cycles
• Build partnerships with BU leaders to translate business strategies and objectives into the People & Culture roadmap
• Proactively manage and resolve employee relations matters with internal partners
• Collaborate with a globally distributed People Team to roll-out cross-functional initiatives
• Coach and develop a team of People Business Partners, imprinting a culture of ownership and high-velocity delivery across the whole organisation

What you'll bring

• 6+ years of experience as HRBP, with a background in high-growth tech scale-ups
• Highly analytical and data-driven mindset, combined with a get-it-done attitude
• Self-motivation, strong problem-solving skills and adaptability to frequent changes
• Great interpersonal skills with a proven ability to coach and influence senior partners
• Engaging communication skills, both in writing and orally
• Solid project management skills and the ability to navigate ambiguity and limited resources
• Deep 360° business acumen and sharp understanding of the key roles and skills necessary to scale a tech company
• Experience working in a global team environment within multiple time zones

What we offer 

• Technology: we provide all the devices and software you need to excel in your role, ensuring you have the best tools at your disposal to achieve your goals 
• Learning & Development: we are committed to your professional growth – Proton offers various learning opportunities, including training programs, conferences/events and continual learning 
• Employee Benefits: comprehensive health insurance plans, competitive retirement savings options, generous vacation/leave policies and wellness programs 
• Stock Options: at Proton, we are all owners of the company and you get stock options when you join us 
• In-Person Collaboration: collaboration is easier and more effective in person, which is why we have offices in Geneva, Zurich, Prague, Barcelona, Paris, London, Vilnius, Skopje and Taipei. You can enjoy working from home for up to 30% of the time, while enjoying great company culture during our three core days in the office. Depending on the role, fully remote positions may also be available. 
• Food: lunch and snacks are provided by Proton every day at our offices 
• Transport: we'll always support our employees with transport costs through subsidising public transport, bike allowances or parking spaces based on your office location 
• Flexible Working: you can define your own working hours as long as it works with team meetings 
• Work that Matters: Proton is a community-first organisation, started with the support of a crowdfunding campaign and built with community input – to this day, Proton’s only source of revenue is user subscriptions: over 100 million people trust and support Proton, and we put our users and community first in everything we do (read more about our impact here) 

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion 

At Proton, we believe diversity drives innovation and strengthens our mission to provide privacy as a default for all. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical ability or socio-economic background feel valued and empowered. We strive to create equal opportunities, promote open dialogue and support continuous learning to ensure every voice is heard and respected. 

If you need any extra support or reasonable adjustments during the hiring process, please let your talent partner know. 

Candidate privacy notice 

When you apply for a position, refer a candidate or are considered for a role at Proton Technologies AG (Proton, we, us or our), your information is stored in Greenhouse, in accordance with its Service Privacy Policy. This information is used to evaluate your suitability for the posted position. We also retain this information for consideration for future roles that you may apply for or that we believe may align with your background and skills. 

If we no longer have a legitimate business need to process your information, we will either delete or anonymise it. Should you have any inquiries about how we use or manage your information or if you wish to access, correct or delete your data, please contact our privacy team at careers@proton.ch.

Proton does not accept unsolicited CVs from any sources other than directly from candidates. We will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from an unsolicited offer, even if the candidate is subsequently hired by Proton. 

To learn more about our privacy policy, please visit our privacy policy page.