HR People Ops France
About Mistral
Mistral provides full-stack AI solutions: from frontier models to developer tools, applications, and compute. We partner with enterprises tackling the hardest problems-across high-stakes industries like finance, manufacturing, defense, healthcare, and the public sector-co-creating customized AI systems that they can run on their terms.
We are a dynamic, collaborative team passionate about AI and its potential to transform society. Our diverse workforce thrives in competitive environments and is committed to driving innovation. Our teams are distributed between Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East. We are creative, low-ego and team-spirited.
The Role
As a People Operations Manager on the People team, you will build, scale, and maintain the operational foundation that supports our team in France. This role exists to ensure our daily HR processes run seamlessly, keeping the company fully compliant while delivering a reliable, clear, and high-quality experience for every employee.
You will act as the primary point of contact for employee lifecycle milestones, everyday operations, and external vendor relations. Your impact will be felt directly through the precision of our monthly payroll, the clarity of our internal policies, and the efficiency of our onboarding systems.
This position requires a balanced blend of hands-on administrative execution and process engineering. You will own the full operational landscape-from local labor contracts and complex immigration cases to scaling our HRIS software-while constantly identifying opportunities to automate workflows and reduce friction.
What You Will Do
Process payroll end-to-end for France-based employees, collaborating closely with external providers and our internal Finance team to ensure timely, precise execution.
Own the onboarding journey, managing labor contracts, amendments, certificates, and system updates so new hires are integrated accurately from day one.
Navigate immigration and mobility requests, directly managing work permits, visa renewals, and National Security Number applications.
Resolve daily employee inquiries regarding benefits administration, enrollment changes, and company policies with clear and prompt support.
Maintain compliance infrastructure, regularly updating employee handbooks and monitoring shifts in French employment law to protect the company.
Lead HR software initiatives and vendor management projects to evaluate, implement, and refine our HRIS and payroll tools.
Streamline operational workflows by documenting, automating, and auditing existing procedures to eliminate administrative bottlenecks.
What We're Looking For
5 to 10 years of progressive HR experience, ideally within a startup or high-growth environment, alongside a degree in HR, Business Administration, or a related field.
Deep operational knowledge of French labor laws, local employment regulations, national payroll structures, and tax compliance.
Proven experience managing the entire employee lifecycle from onboarding through retention strategies to formal offboarding.
Technical proficiency with modern HR technology solutions, including HRIS platforms and automated payroll tools.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret regulatory updates into practical internal policies.
A practical, hands-on execution style combined with a builder mindset-you genuinely enjoy creating order out of ambiguity and setting up scalable systems.
Clear, direct communication and interpersonal skills to manage sensitive employee topics and coordinate effectively with external vendors.
What We Offer
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and work-life balance. Benefits vary by country and may include healthcare coverage, parental leave, retirement plans, relocation support, wellness programs, meal and transportation allowances, and other location-specific perks.
For the most up-to-date details on benefits available in your location, please refer to our Benefits page.
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