Head of People

Head of People

Zurich, Switzerland

Human Resources

Hybrid

Full-time

About Rivia

Rivia is a technology company building a data engine that powers the future of clinical trial intelligence. Rivia was founded on the belief that new drugs can be brought to market more successfully with a fraction of today's capital.

Biotechs are the source of most therapeutic innovation, yet clinical development is constantly constrained by fragmented data and outdated tooling. Rivia unifies clinical trial data at scale through a core engine built as a reusable intelligence layer, comprising hundreds of configurations and trial-specific logic, independent of source structure. This vertical stack of data engine, workflows, and agents creates a distinct advantage in how trials are operated.

Over the past two years, European and US based biotechs running global clinical trials on Rivia have demonstrated measurable impact, from earlier understanding of therapeutic potential to significantly more efficient trial execution. In March 2026, Rivia raised its $15M Series A led by Earlybird Venture Capital.

Rivia’s ambition is to become the standard infrastructure for modern drug development, transforming how trials are executed end-to-end.

About the Role

As the Head of People at Rivia, you will shape our people strategy and culture as we continue to scale. From talent acquisition to culture building and employee development, your role will be integral in ensuring that we attract, retain, and nurture top talent in a way that promotes long-term success. This is a foundational operator role responsible for ensuring that people and talent infrastructure scales hand in hand with the business.

What Excites You

• Building and Operating the People Strategy: You thrive in establishing the foundational systems, culture, and operating cadence required to grow from 10 to 40+ employees without dilution in quality or speed.

• Scaling with Purpose: You're energized by the challenges and opportunities that come with scaling a high-growth startup, including being a hands-on contributor.

• Creating a Strong Culture: Developing a company culture that fosters growth, innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity excites you.

• Talent Development: You have a passion for helping people grow, from recruitment to long-term employee engagement and development.

Responsibilities

People Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement a holistic people strategy that aligns with Rivia's business goals and fosters a high-performance culture.

• Partner with leadership to forecast people needs as the company scales and create plans for talent acquisition, employee development, and retention.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership on all human resource matters, providing guidance on organisational structure, workforce planning, and talent management.

Talent Acquisition & Development

• Oversee, contribute, and improve recruitment processes to attract, hire, and retain top talent that aligns with Rivia's culture and growth needs.

• Develop robust talent management programs, including onboarding, training, and leadership development initiatives to ensure employees are set up for long-term success.

Culture Building & Employee Experience

• Champion Rivia's values and culture, ensuring they are reflected in all aspects of the employee experience, from recruitment to day-to-day operations.

• Lead initiatives that foster a positive, innovative, and inclusive workplace culture.

• Implement systems to gather employee feedback and drive continuous improvement in the employee experience.

HR Operations & Compliance

• Lead initiatives ensuring that Rivia remains a diverse and inclusive workplace.

• Oversee and improve regular HR management (contracts, processes, onboarding, compliance, etc)

• Oversee compensation and benefits programs, ensuring they are competitive and aligned with our values and business objectives.

What Excites us

• 5+ years of experience in a start-up or scale up as operator in a business function, talent, human resources, or a related people field.

• Proven track record of attracting and hiring top talent in scaling from experience scaling a startup from Series A to Series C+

• Strong understanding of employer branding strategies and experience in building a brand that resonates with candidates.

• Passion for culture building and creating a workplace where employees can thrive.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with candidates and colleagues.

Our Values

At Rivia, we are committed to excellence, continuous learning, and the success of both our customers and our team. If you are driven to exceed targets, eager to shape the future of clinical trials, and passionate about making a meaningful difference in the biotech industry, Rivia is the place for you.

• In it to Win it: Approach every challenge with determination, resilience, and a drive, aiming for the best outcomes and solutions.
• Embrace change : We see change as an opportunity for growth, innovation, and improvement, continuously evolving to stay one step ahead
• Why not? : Asking why not, instead of why, allows us to show our curiosity, allowing us to challenge assumptions and explore new possibilities.
• Find the gap: We are curious and we proactively approach identifying opportunities and solving problems before they arise.
• Collective accountability: We are one team, on one mission and we are committed to shared responsibilities and mutual support, enabling trust and collaboration.
• Value-add solutions : Know better. Act better. We are dedicated to delivering meaningful and impactful results.

Ready to apply?

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Req ID: R32