Janet Klin
Berlin
Summary
People Executive with a background in law and over 10 years of experience shaping People & Culture strategies across diverse environments, from global corporations and PE-backed companies to fast-scaling startups and top-tier VC law firms.
I bring deep expertise in building high-performing teams, driving organizational growth, and aligning people operations with business strategy. My strengths span strategic talent acquisition, executive search, leadership development, performance management, and employment law across multiple jurisdictions (Germany, UK, Nordics, US, France).
Whether scaling a startup, leading HR in international settings, or navigating complex transformation initiatives, I combine commercial thinking with operational excellence. I’ve led cross-functional hiring at speed and scale (including tech and C-level roles), designed performance and feedback systems, and built culture, learning and career frameworks that sustain growth.
I also advise founders and executive teams on organizational design, leadership enablement, and workforce strategy, including leading post-merger integrations, always aiming to create environments where people and companies thrive.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of People & Growth
PXR Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft
09.2024 - Current
- Hired more than 10 key team members in six months, including eight lawyers (associates, senior associates, and salary partners), one Head of Marketing, and one Office Manager.
- Scaled the legal team from three partners and four associates to three partners and twelve (senior) associates and salary partners.
- Designed and implemented a performance management framework, including structured review cycles and a probation-period feedback process to guide early performance.
- Advised partners on team building, hiring strategy, and leadership development; co-created the firm’s culture and people strategy.
- Drove business development initiatives targeting startups and VC investors, including fully booked legal masterclasses and founder-focused events.
- Helped position PXR as a go-to legal partner in the venture ecosystem through strategic growth and strong employer branding.
Staff HR Business Partner (P4)
Tesla Germany GmbH (Gigafactory)
04.2024 - 09.2024
- Supported the voluntary programme taskforce in Berlin, contributing significantly to the program's success by preparing and signing over 20% of all mutual agreements — the largest individual share within a 15-person team.
- Acted as a strategic advisor to leadership on performance, organizational design, and employment law topics.
- Guided performance reviews, leveling, and promotion rounds across key business units.
- Investigated and liaised with legal department and ER to respond to complaints of harassment, discrimination, employee grievances, and other sensitive issues.
- Collaborated with leadership to assess and improve policies across board.
- Acted as strategic HR Business Partner to ~120 people managers across Central and G&A functions, including NPI, EPC, Quality, 25 Guns, Security, Finance, Legal, IT, and EHS, supporting ~1,100 employees.
Global People Director
Peckwater Brands Ltd.
08.2022 - 03.2024
- Built and led the global People function & strategy across 7 countries (UK, Germany, Nordics, France, US, Czech Republic, Hungary), with full responsibility for employment law compliance, contracts, and payroll preparation.
- Hired 75+ employees globally (via direct search), including a full sales team within six weeks, across all levels and functions.
- Designed and rolled out company-wide frameworks for performance management, structured feedback, career progression, and L&D.
- Led the planning and execution of a complex redundancy round across multiple jurisdictions.
- Advised founders and the leadership team on team structure, culture, succession planning, and performance topics.
- Led two international post-merger integrations, aligning teams, processes, and cultures across multiple jurisdictions.
- Managed and coached one HR Business Partner.
VP People
Proportunity Ltd.
08.2021 - 07.2022
- Built and managed the People function, covering all core HR processes under UK employment law.
- Led two full redundancy rounds independently, including planning, legal compliance, communication, and execution.
- Created and implemented HR policies and a staff handbook aligned with UK legal standards and startup best practices.
- Recruited across multiple departments (Tech, Marketing, Customer Success, Brokerage, Leadership) primarily via direct search.
- Rolled out OKRs and introduced structured performance and personal development processes.
- Acted as strategic advisor and coach to the founders on org structure, growth planning, and cultural development.
Director HR & Talent Management
Flex Capital GmbH
05.2020 - 10.2021
- Led HR and recruiting for both Flex Capital and its portfolio companies, including direct placements across Finance, Operations, Product, Tech, and Executive roles.
- Successfully hired the second management line at portfolio company Egoditor within 3 months — including critical functions and leadership roles. Egoditor was acquired by Bitly shortly after.
- Designed a comprehensive People Playbook for portfolio founders, including scalable processes for recruiting, performance, employer branding, and leadership.
- Acted as advisor and coach to founders, management teams, and internal recruiters on people strategy, leadership, and communication.
- Conducted HR and employment law due diligence for potential investments.
Global Head of People
Honest Food GmbH (acquired by Delivery Hero)
10.2019 - 04.2020
- Built and operationalized the global People function, leading HR strategy and compliance across new markets.
- Personally led executive search and high-volume hiring across Sales, Operations, and HQ functions while managing a People team of five; oversaw HR operations and employment law compliance to support rapid market expansion in London, Budapest, the Nordics, Germany, and Austria.
- Guided the People team through organizational transition following the Delivery Hero acquisition.
Head of People & Culture
FinCompare GmbH
01.2019 - 09.2019
- Built the People function from scratch, including recruitment infrastructure, HR operations, and scalable people processes.
- Personally led the hiring of ~40 team members across all functions within six months, including the full build-out of the People team (five FTE).
- Introduced a company-wide performance management framework and ensured full compliance with German employment law.
- Partnered with leadership during the Series B fundraising process, contributing HR insights on org planning, headcount strategy, and scaling.
- Advised founders and senior leadership on people strategy, organizational structure, and cultural development during rapid growth.
Head of People
Forto GmbH
02.2017 - 12.2018
- Joined as one of the first 15 employees, reporting directly to Founder & CEO Ferry Heilemann, and helped scale the company from 20 to 130+ employees during a high-growth phase.
- Built the People function from scratch and led a team of three People professionals, overseeing recruiting, HR operations, and internal communications.
- Personally hired for all business functions including tech, product, operations, and commercial — supporting international expansion and team scaling.
- Played a key role in Series A fundraising, including strategic headcount planning, org charts, compensation data, and hiring projections for investor materials.
- Developed compensation models, career level frameworks, and performance management systems, including structured review cycles and competency-based evaluations, to drive clarity, fairness, and retention in a fast-scaling environment.
- Created and implemented the company’s first employer branding strategy, onboarding and offboarding processes, and HR infrastructure, including employment contracts, benefits, and compliance frameworks.
Recruitment Consultant
Jameson Legal Ltd.
05.2015 - 01.2017
- Built German legal recruitment business line; placed top legal talent across Europe.
Legal Trainee / Associate
Various Firms
12.2011 - 04.2015
- Completed legal training (Referendariat) with a focus on employment and corporate law, including hands-on experience at Buse Heberer Fromm (employment law) and top-tier London firm Fladgate LLP (corporate/M&A).
- Worked as an in-house employment lawyer at Calzedonia, advising on German labor law.
- Early exposure to talent acquisition during a placement at Eurostaff in London, sparking an ongoing passion for recruitment and people strategy.
Education
Second State Exam (Bar Qualification) - Law
Ministry of Justice
Düsseldorf, Germany08-2014
First State Exam - Law
University of Münster
Münster, Germany09-2011
High School Diploma -
Städtisches Gymnasium
Wülfrath, Germany 04-2005
Skills
- Strategic Talent Acquisition & Executive Search
- HR Leadership across Growth Stages
- Employment Law Expertise (Multi-Jurisdictional)
- Post-Merger Integration & Organizational Design
- Business & Stakeholder Alignment
- People & Culture Strategy
Languages
German
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
French
Intermediate (B1)
Dutch
Beginner (A1)
Additional Information
- ATS: Greenhouse, Lever, Workable, Recruitee
- HRIS: HiBob, Personio, BambooHR, CharlieHR
- Other: LinkedIn Recruiter, Figures, Predictive Index, Stack Overflow
Timeline
Head of People & Growth
PXR Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft
09.2024 - Current
Staff HR Business Partner (P4)
Tesla Germany GmbH (Gigafactory)
04.2024 - 09.2024
Global People Director
Peckwater Brands Ltd.
08.2022 - 03.2024
VP People
Proportunity Ltd.
08.2021 - 07.2022
Director HR & Talent Management
Flex Capital GmbH
05.2020 - 10.2021
Global Head of People
Honest Food GmbH (acquired by Delivery Hero)
10.2019 - 04.2020
Head of People & Culture
FinCompare GmbH
01.2019 - 09.2019
Head of People
Forto GmbH
02.2017 - 12.2018
Recruitment Consultant
Jameson Legal Ltd.
05.2015 - 01.2017
Legal Trainee / Associate
Various Firms
12.2011 - 04.2015
Second State Exam (Bar Qualification) - Law
Ministry of Justice
First State Exam - Law
University of Münster
High School Diploma -
Städtisches Gymnasium
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