People & Operations Manager

Are you motivated by helping build structure, processes and culture in a small organization in the start-up phase? Do you have a clear picture of your preferred workplace and a strong experience, feeling and knowledge on how to create such a workplace? And are attracted by a strong purpose in an organization? Then you might be our new People & Operations Manager.

About us

NIVI Development (NIVI-D) is a mission-driven small company that brings together researchers, developers, and strategic partners to move innovative vaccine concepts into clinical development. As part of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI), we operate within a uniquely integrated ecosystem that connects academic discovery with vaccine development. Working closely with the academic Research centre (NIVI-R), we translate new scientific insights into vaccine candidates that support NIVI’s vision of preventing airborne epidemics. As NIVI-D, our mission is to advance their development toward clinical impact.

The role 

As our People & Operations Manager, you will play a key role in supporting NIVI Development's continued growth. The role combines responsibility for employee-related activities with ownership of operational processes and day-to-day organizational support. Working across a broad range of areas, you will help ensure that the organization remains well-structured, effective and able to support the organization's evolving needs.

Key responsibilities 

• Lead recruitment processes from job posting to onboarding in collaboration with hiring managers.
• Maintain and further develop processes and practices across the employee lifecycle.
• Maintain and update the employee handbook and related policies and guidelines.
• Identify and implement new employee-related initiatives and processes as organizational needs evolve.
• Assist with yearly budgeting and budget follow-up. 
• Maintain and further develop the operational practices and processes that support the day-to-day running of the organization.
• Manage and coordinate activities with external service providers and support functions
• Provide ad hoc support to the CEO and employees in NIVI-D e.g. relating to travel, meetings.

About you 

You enjoy working across a broad range of responsibilities and are motivated by the opportunity to help a growing organization develop and succeed. You are comfortable balancing recruitment and other employee-related initiatives with practical operational support and thrive in an environment where priorities shift and new needs arise.

You are pragmatic, adaptable and hands-on, with a strong sense of ownership and the ability to work independently. You enjoy creating structure, improving ways of working and taking responsibility for both planned initiatives and the unexpected tasks.

Qualifications

• A relevant educational background within HR, business administration, organizational development or a related field.
• Significant experience from a People Operations, HR, Talent Acquisition, Operations or similar role.
• Hands-on experience with recruitment and onboarding.
• Experience with employee-related processes and organizational development.
• Strong coordination and stakeholder management skills.
• A pragmatic and solution-oriented mindset and a great ‘liaison’ with the rest of the employees within NIVI.
• Excellent English communication skills.

We offer

Joining NIVI Development offers a unique opportunity to play a central role in a small and growing organization working to advance innovative vaccine development.

You will take on broad responsibilities across people and operations and have the opportunity to influence how we work, grow and develop as an organization. Working as part of a small and engaged team, you will have a visible impact on how the organization operates and develops.

As an evolving organization, we offer a dynamic and collaborative work environment with significant responsibility, flexibility and room for professional growth.

Our employment package includes pension and health benefits, generous vacation time, and the many advantages of living and working in Copenhagen.

Apply now

Please send your motivated application and CV by clicking “Apply now.”  Applications will be processed on an ongoing basis, and we encourage you to apply as soon as possible and no later than 27 October 2026.

By submitting your application to NIVI, you acknowledge that your personal data will be processed in accordance with applicable data protection laws. Applicant data will be collected and stored by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, which is responsible for data processing. By applying, you consent to your information being included in the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s system and used for recruitment purposes related to this position. You may contact us at any time with questions about data handling or to exercise your GDPR rights. Please find more detailed information in the privacy notice.