Growing with purpose: How OpenProject’s People & Organization team is preparing for the next big leap

In this edition of OpenProject’s culture series, we sat down with two key members of the People & Organization Team, Dorothee and Giuseppe, to discuss their roles, their experiences so far, and their vision for the company as it grows. Both joined OpenProject recently, bringing with them a wealth of HR experience. Here’s what they had to share about their day-to-day responsibilities and the unique challenges of managing people at a rapidly growing, remote-first company.

Fun facts:

What’s your favorite song or music genre?

Dorothee: It all depends on my mood, but I mostly vibe with a mix of alternative rock and indie, unless it’s time for some serious spring cleaning, then it’s 80s all the way!

Giuseppe: I enjoy a mix of genres, but I often listen to electronic music to keep my energy high.

What’s your favorite activity or hobby outside of work?

Dorothee: I love going on adventures and traveling with my dog.

Giuseppe: I like staying active, so I enjoy things like hiking and biking.

What are you currently reading and learning about?

Dorothee: I’m currently re-reading Jessica Zwaan’s “Built for People,” which talks about how to design and scale organizations with a people-first approach, focusing on creating a work culture that prioritizes inclusivity and sustainable business growth by applying Product Management principles.

Giuseppe: I’m currently diving into leadership and coaching topics.

What did you study at University? And what was your first job?

Dorothee: At university, I studied International Management and specialized in Intercultural Communication. My first job was at my family’s jewelry store while I was still in school.

Giuseppe: I studied Economics and Applied Psychology and my first job was in HR, where I began focusing on people and organizational development.

Can you tell me a bit about your roles and your day-to-day responsibilities at OpenProject?

Dorothee: I joined in May 2024 as a People and Organization Manager, and much of my focus is on scaling the organization. This means filling roles and making processes sustainable and scalable in the long run. One of the initiatives I’m proud of is the employee engagement survey, which helped us get a better understanding of where the culture stands and where we can shape it.

Giuseppe: A big part of what we do isn’t always glamorous, like working on strong operational foundations. For example, we’ve been implementing a software called Personio to better manage people data, contracts, and payroll. It’s essential work that enables the organization to scale smoothly.

When you joined OpenProject, what was your initial impression of the company culture and existing processes?

Dorothee: I was pleasantly surprised. During the hiring process, the leadership team was upfront and transparent, which left no room for negative surprises. Although we weren’t starting from scratch, we’re building on what was already there, tweaking and optimizing where necessary. Despite being a smaller company, the potential for growth and improvement was clear.

Giuseppe: There were systems in place, but they needed to be organized. We’re working on setting things up for the future, ensuring processes that worked for a 30-person company will still work as we grow to 50 or 60 people.

How does having two experienced HR managers benefit OpenProject compared to having just one?

Dorothee: It’s rare for a company of this size to invest in two experienced HR professionals, and I was thrilled when I heard about this approach. It speaks volumes about how much the leadership values the people. Having two of us allows for a much broader and deeper impact—one plus one really equals three in this case. We brainstorm and come up with solutions together that we might not have found on our own.

Giuseppe: Exactly. HR can be a very isolated function, especially in a remote setup. Having two experienced people means we can bounce ideas off each other, share the workload, and solve problems faster. It’s crucial because HR isn’t just about recruiting; it’s about retaining the talent we already have and ensuring the organization scales sustainably.

How are you balancing growth with retention, and what steps are you taking to support both?

Giuseppe: We’re focusing on building solid foundations to support sustainable growth. We’re also paying close attention to leadership because as the company scales, strong leadership will ensure we grow in a healthy way. Retention is just as important as recruiting new talent, and we’re constantly working to improve communication and processes so that the organization doesn’t outgrow its structures.

Dorothee: We’ve conducted an employee engagement survey to establish a baseline and get feedback from the team. This helps us understand what’s working and where we need to improve, both in terms of attracting new talent and keeping the people who have been with us for a while.

OpenProject is fully remote. How do you foster connection and collaboration in a remote environment?

Dorothee: It’s true that remote work isn’t for everyone, but we’ve found a balance that works for us. We have regular coffee chats, offsites, and team meetups. Everyone has the flexibility to decide how much they want to engage. It’s all about creating an environment where people feel connected without forcing it.

Giuseppe: Remote work is new territory for all of us. We’re learning as we go and adapting. For instance, the role of HR has shifted from being office-centric to community management. We’re ensuring that even though we work remotely, we still build a strong, supportive community within OpenProject.

Lastly, can you share some plans for the future? Where do you see OpenProject going?

Dorothee: Our main focus is on sustainable growth. We’re not looking to scale too quickly and burn out. Instead, we’re making sure the foundations are strong and flexible enough to accommodate growth without overwhelming the organization.

Giuseppe: We’re excited about the future. We’re hiring across several departments and looking for people who are passionate about open source and our mission. It’s a unique challenge, but one we’re ready to take on as we grow the team.

Wrapping up

Dorothee and Giuseppe are clearly passionate about their work and committed to supporting OpenProject’s growth in a thoughtful, sustainable way. Their teamwork and shared vision are sure to have a lasting impact on the company’s future.