HR & Payroll Operations Lead - CDI

ABOUT DESCARTES UNDERWRITING

Descartes was born out of the conviction that the ever-increasing complexity of risks faced by corporations, governments and vulnerable communities calls for a renewed approach in insurance. Our team brings together industry veterans from the most renowned institutions (AXA, SCOR, Swiss Re, Marsh, Aon, ...) and scientists on top of their field to bring underwriting excellence. After 5 years of existence, Descartes has secured a leading position in parametric insurance for weather and climate-related risks utilizing machine learning, real-time monitoring from satellite imagery & IoT. After a successful Series B raise of $120M USD, we launched Descartes Insurance, a 'full stack' insurer licensed to underwrite risk by the French regulator ACPR. With a growing corporate client base (400+ and counting), our diverse team is headquartered in Paris and operates out of our 18 global offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. Descartes is trusted by a panel of A-rated (re)insurers to carry out its activities

ABOUT THE PEOPLE TEAM

As HR & Payroll Operations Lead, you will join our dynamic and collaborative People team, currently made up of 8 dedicated professionals based in Paris. They are committed to driving the company's success, passionate about fostering diversity, and constantly eager to learn and grow.

The team is being expanded around a Chief People Officer who joined in mid-2024, holds a position on the Executive Committee, and drives the People strategy.

The People team's mission is twofold - both equally important:

• Support Descartes growth and resilience globally
• Bring the best possible experience for all candidates and employees, in all our locations

The People team's strategic objectives: 

1. Build the right People strategy and deploy the team effectively
2. Streamline the experience, while ensuring compliance and scale
3. Attract and hire top talents
4. Enable employees to thrive and grow
5. Empower managers to excel in their roles and create resilient organizations.

ABOUT YOUR ROLE
Your responsibilities will include, for France but also for some other countries.

Payroll Operations

• Manage monthly payroll, via external payroll providers you’ll lead the relationship with;
• Ensure social taxes are properly calculated, controlled and paid, in relation with Finance;
• Manage complex compensation set-ups in line with local laws and regulations (e.g. benefits in kind like company cars, leave subrogation);
• Track employees’ benefit allowances (e.g. transportation allowance, meal plan);
• Deploy effective communication strategies regarding employee payroll, including writing (or contribute to writing) relevant documentation that will guide employees who have questions about their payroll.

Compensation & Benefits process implementation

• Identify compensation and benefits partners, negotiate contract terms and set-up partnerships;
• Manage all compensation & benefits initiatives including deferred compensation (e.g. profit sharing, employee savings schemes), fringe benefits (e.g. pension schemes, health insurance) and benefits in kind (company car, phones, housing allowance, etc.);
• Support top management in calculating annual bonus and wage increase schemes and delivering goal settings letters to employees annually.
  

Scale and compliance 

• Contribute to achieving positive outcomes in internal audit reports and control assessments of the HR processes;
• For any new hub or business Descartes would develop (ex.: creation of a new country from scratch, acquired company), contribute to build the HR Operations;
• Continuously improve our operations by simplifying when possible, automating where feasible, and ensuring reliability in everything we do;
• Manage or support HR, Payroll, Compensation and Benefits aspects for new joiners and leavers;
• Documente HR processes, either for employees or for internal purposes.

HR data, tools and reporting 

•  Enhance and maintain HR databases (Excel and HRIS tool), work with your People colleagues on guaranteeing data consistency;
• Contribute to choosing and implementing our future global HRIS;
• Produce appropriate reports and KPIs for internal and external parties (e.g. investors, internal leadership);
• Support and liaise with Finance on compensation-related reporting, budgeting and controlling (e.g. pension p