About Kaja
I build, fix, and stabilise HR functions — in organisations that are growing fast, going through acquisition, or simply need HR that actually works.
15+ years leading HR in regulated, unionised, and multi-entity environments across Germany and Central Europe. I work at board level and get my hands dirty. Both matter.
What I deliver:
— HR build-up from scratch (60 → 400 employees)
— Post-acquisition integration across multi-entity structures (650+ workforce)
— Compliance restoration in fragmented, high-risk environments
— Payroll accuracy to 99%, sickness absence −35%, turnover −15%
— HRIS implementation and full payroll digitalisation
— HR systems consolidation across multiple teams
— Labour law, works councils, union negotiations (Germany & EU)
Languages: German (native) · Polish (native) · English (C1) · Italian (learning)
Based in Germany. Available for remote engagements across EU.
Polish
Native or bilingual
German
Native or bilingual
English
Fluent
Italian
Basic
Remote only
Primarily works remotely
Experience
- Maas Aviation GmbH,HR Business PartnerAVIATION AND AEROSPACEMay 2025 - Today (1 year and 1 month)GermanyAviation services / regulated industrial environmentScope: Full HR responsibility for German site | regulated environment | union interaction• Took over a fragmented HR structure and restored full compliance with German labour law• Stabilised and standardised HR operations, including contracts, documentation and onboarding frameworks• Transformed a highly inconsistent payroll environment, increasing payroll accuracy to 99% and restoring employee trust• Led employee relations and structured cooperation with trade unions, ensuring compliant and transparent social dialogue• Designed and implemented measures to reduce short-term sickness absence and improve workforce reliability• Acted as trusted advisor to senior management, developing scalable HR solutions for international application• Built and stabilised end-to-end recruitment processes for blue- and white-collar workforce in a challenging labour market, ensuring operational continuity
- Eurozet Sp. z o.o. / Agora S.A.,Head of HRPRESS AND MEDIAMay 2024 - April 2025 (11 months)PolandMedia group | post-acquisition integrationScope: ~650 employees | multi-entity structure | unionised workforce | board-level reporting• Held full HR leadership responsibility during integration into Agora Group across two legal entities• Led and developed HR organisation covering recruitment, employee relations, payroll, compensation & benefits• Directed HR integration process, acting as key interface between local HR teams and group leadership• Harmonised compensation structures and prepared organisation for EU Pay Transparency Directive• Represented company in negotiations with trade unions and administrative courts, mitigating legal and reputational risk• Contributed to ESG reporting, whistleblower directive implementation and governance frameworks• HRIS implementation• Reported directly to the Management Board as strategic HR partner
- Kabo Group,HR DirectorRETAIL (LARGE RETAILERS)August 2014 - April 2024 (9 years and 8 months)PolandScope: Growth from 60 → 400 employees | international ownership | full HR responsibility• Built the HR function from the ground up, establishing all core HR structures and governance frameworks• Led transformation from local company to internationally owned organisation following acquisition by German shareholder• Designed and implemented compensation systems, performance management and bonus frameworks• Introduced employee development programmes, including structured knowledge transfer between generations• Implemented targeted workforce initiatives, reducing short-term sickness absence by 35%• Reduced employee turnover by 15% through targeted engagement and retention strategies• Built and led HR team, establishing clear roles, processes and professional HR standards• Implemented HRIS and full payroll digitalisation, increasing efficiency and data transparency• Established employee representation structures in absence of formal works council
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Education
- Master's Degree in ManagementUniversity of ŁódźMaster's Degree in Management
- Studies in Law and PsychologyUniversity of BielefeldStudies in Law and Psychology