HR Lead, Turkey
Role Overview
We are seeking a versatile and people-oriented HR Generalist to serve as the primary HR partner for our Istanbul office. Reporting to the regional HR lead, you will manage end-to-end HR operations, drive employee relations, support HR audits and compliance activities, and ensure a seamless, positive employee experience for our growing local team. This role combines hands-on HR administration with strategic employee engagement and local regulatory expertise.
Key Responsibilities
1. HR Operations & Administration
Manage the full employee lifecycle including onboarding, contract management, probation tracking, transfers, and offboarding processes.
Maintain accurate employee records and HR systems (HRIS), ensuring data integrity and timely updates.
Administer payroll inputs, attendance records, leave management, and benefits enrollment in coordination with the payroll vendor and finance team.
Prepare and manage employment contracts, addendums, reference letters, and other HR documentation in compliance with Turkish labor law.
Support visa and work permit applications for foreign employees as needed.
2. Employee Relations
Serve as the first point of contact for employee queries and workplace concerns, providing guidance in line with company policy and local legislation.
Handle employee grievances, disciplinary procedures, and performance improvement plans with fairness and confidentiality.
Conduct exit interviews, analyze turnover trends, and recommend retention strategies to management.
Mediate workplace conflicts and foster a positive, inclusive, and respectful work environment.
Advise managers on people-related matters including performance management, team dynamics, and engagement initiatives.
3. HR Compliance & Audits
Ensure full compliance with Turkish labor law (4857 sayılı İş Kanunu), social security regulations (SGK), and occupational health & safety legislation (6331 sayılı İSG Kanunu).
Support internal and external HR audits by preparing documentation, responding to audit queries, and implementing corrective actions.
Maintain and update HR policies and procedures to reflect changes in local regulations and company standards.
Monitor and ensure compliance with mandatory reporting obligations to local authorities (İŞKUR, SGK, etc.).
Conduct periodic reviews of HR processes to identify risks and drive continuous improvement.
4. Health, Safety & Workplace Compliance
Ensure the Turkey office is fully compliant with local health & safety laws (İş Sağlığı ve Güvenliği / 6331 sayılı İSG Kanunu).
Coordinate regular workplace risk assessments and safety audits with external H&S consultants.
Develop, implement, and maintain H&S policies and procedures; organize safety training and emergency drills.
Manage incident reporting, investigation, and corrective actions; maintain required H&S documentation and records.
Serve as an active member of the first-aid and emergency response team.
5. Employee Experience & Engagement
Plan and execute local onsite and virtual company events, team-building activities, and holiday celebrations in alignment with global guidelines.
Coordinate employee welfare and benefit arrangements such as overtime meals, local transport, birthday gifts, and bereavement support.
Act as a culture ambassador by shaping the local workplace environment and maintaining vibrant recreation areas.
6. Office & IT Administration
Manage the shipping and receiving of company laptops locally, acting as the on-site helper to perform basic device setups under the step-by-step guidance of the remote IT team.
Oversee day-to-day office operations, facility maintenance, and vendor management to ensure a safe and productive workplace.
Manage office supplies, pantry inventory, corporate mobile lines, and procurement activities.
Facilitate office access control, visitor management, and front-desk operations as needed.
7. Others
Support HR projects and initiatives as directed by the regional HR lead.
Contribute to employer branding, recruitment support, and talent acquisition activities for the Turkey office as needed.
Research and monitor the competitive landscape of crypto/Web3 companies operating in Turkey including their local hiring trends, compensation benchmarks, employer branding strategies, and office presence, to inform Bybit's talent and HR strategy in the region.
Requirements
Minimum 5 years of progressive HR experience in a generalist or HR management capacity.
Comprehensive knowledge of Turkey labor law.
Demonstrated experience managing employee relations matters, including grievances, disciplinary cases, and workplace investigations.
Fluency in Turkish and English, both written and spoken, is a must.
Comfortable building HR and office functions from the ground up (0-to-1 experience) — setting up processes, policies, and infrastructure in a new or scaling environment.
Proactive and self-driven, with a track record of identifying gaps and implementing solutions without waiting for direction.
Preferred
Experience in the technology, fintech, or crypto/Web3 sector.
Prior involvement in HR audits, employer branding, or talent acquisition.
Experience working in fast-growing, globally distributed teams where adaptability is essential.
Proficiency in HRIS platforms and collaboration tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Lark).