Stella Saarentaus

Head of Talent

Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland18 yrs 3 mos experience

Most Likely To SwitchHighly Stable

Key Highlights

Expert in HR technology and systems management.
Proven track record in global HR operations.
Strong focus on employee-employer relationships.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a HR Technology Specialist with a strong focus on global HR operations and systems management.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Hr TechnologyProject ManagementPeople AnalyticsHr OperationsPayroll ManagementRecruitmentEvent Management

Other Skills

IntegrationsJiraConfigurationsWorkdayQuinyxMicrosoft OfficeHuman Resources Information Systems (HRIS)Agile MethodologiesScrumHRISHR ReportsStakeholder ManagementConfigurationPayroll AdministrationEmployment Law

About

When I was younger, I dreamed of becoming an orca trainer at SeaWorld—until I realized my swimming skills weren’t world-class, biology wasn’t my strongest passion, and working with orcas is quite dangerous. Instead, I turned my focus to something I truly care about: people and organizations. I’ve always been passionate about fostering strong employee–employer relationships and believe that a company’s greatest asset is its people. Over the years, I’ve specialized in HR systems, human resource management, and developing recruitment processes—always with the goal of creating value for both employees and organizations. Now, as a People Tech Manager, I’m especially interested in the intersection of HR technology and management, optimizing systems, streamlining processes, and enabling better decision-making through data-driven HR solutions. Outside of work, freeskiing has taught me the importance of preparation, adaptability, and pushing limits. I thrive in fast-paced environments, enjoy problem-solving, and bring creativity to my work as both a tool and an opportunity. I see myself as a self-motivated team player who enjoys collaborating across different areas of HR. #HRIS #HumanResources #HRSystems #HRM #Recruitment #EmploymentLaw #CollectiveAgreements #EmployerBranding #Reporting #OperationalHR #PeopleManagement

Experience

18 yrs 3 mos

Total Experience

3 yrs 6 mos

Average Tenure

6 yrs

Current Experience

Wolt

3 roles

Global People Tech Manager

Promoted

Oct 2023 – Present · 2 yrs 8 mos

I’m responsible for the delivery and ongoing improvement of global HR systems, with a focus on building stable, scalable people tech that works across regions. I work closely with HR, IT, and the business to turn requirements into practical system solutions.
Lead and support a team of HR technology specialists
Own system configuration and design across Workday and Workforce Management platforms
Design and maintain global solutions for time, absence, and workforce processes
Lead HR tech implementations, including integrations, testing, and release planning
Act as the main point of ownership for people tech architecture within my area
Manage delivery across multiple regions, balancing local needs with global standards
Own core HR and workforce processes and drive improvements through system changes
Ensure data quality, system governance, and controlled change in partnership with HR, IT, and Legal
Translate business and operational needs into scalable system design decisions

IntegrationsJiraConfigurationsWorkdayProject ManagementQuinyx+5

HRIS Specialist

Aug 2022 – Sep 2023 · 1 yr 1 mo

In my role as an HRIS Specialist, I supported global HR technology solutions with a strong focus on Workday Time and Absence, ensuring reliable configuration, integration, and user adoption.
Owned Workday Time and Absence, including configuration, testing, and ongoing optimisation
Supported global HR systems and integrations with payroll and third-party tools
Contributed to people analytics and reporting, ensuring data accuracy and consistency
Supported HR tech projects, including planning, implementation, and UAT
Assisted with change management and user training during system rollouts
Acted as process owner for Time and Absence–related processes
Worked closely with HR, IT, and vendors through effective stakeholder management
Key skills I have learned:
Global HRIS | Integrations | Configuration | Workday | Quinyx | People Analytics | Change Management

IntegrationsJiraConfigurationsWorkdayProject ManagementHR Reports+5

HR Operations Specialist

Apr 2020 – Jul 2022 · 2 yrs 3 mos

Wolt is a technology company that makes it incredibly easy to discover and get great food, delivered to your home or office. Our Helsinki-based company has operations in 22 countries and 80 cities.
Wolt was founded in 2014 and has more than 1000 employees today. We've raised $175M in funding from investors such as ICONIQ Capital, Highland Europe, 83North and EQT Ventures.
As an HR Operations Specialist, I supported day-to-day HR operations while playing a key role in global payroll ownership and the selection, design, and implementation of HR technology, including Workday.
Managed global payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery
Played a key role in HR tool selection, advising stakeholders on suitable HR and payroll systems
Designed and documented Workday HR and payroll processes, aligning business requirements with system capabilities
Supported the implementation of Workday, including testing, data preparation, and process alignment
Developed and maintained HR and payroll processes to support scalable operations
Maintained HR data quality and supported reporting and basic analytics
Advised managers on HR policies, processes, and operational topics
Key skills I have learned:
Global HRM | Software implementation | Project management | Process ownership | Payroll administration | Workday | JIRA | HRIS |Communication

HR OperationsPayroll AdministrationWorkdayHR ReportsIntegrationsEmployment Law+6

Lähitapiola

3 roles

HR Specialist

Promoted

May 2017 – Apr 2020 · 2 yrs 11 mos

LähiTapiola is an insurance company from Finland. It's products and services cover non-life, life and pension insurance, as well as investment and saving services.
As an HR Specialist, I supported day-to-day HR operations with a strong focus on HR systems, reporting, and manager support, while contributing to HR tech selection, payroll projects, and recruitment optimisation.
Acted as a trusted HR advisor to managers on operational topics including contracts, benefits, policies, wellness, and collective agreements
Supported employment lifecycle processes from onboarding to offboarding
Maintained and administered HR data in SAP and other HR systems (including Jobylon)
Contributed to HR reporting and data quality, enabling accurate people insights
Served as a payroll contact person, supporting payroll administration and cross-system collaboration
Participated in payroll system change projects, supporting integrations between SAP and payroll tools
Contributed to selection and optimisation of recruitment tools, ensuring attractive career pages and job advertisements
Supported recruitment and employer branding initiatives, including talent sourcing via LinkedIn
Contributed to HR projects, software testing, and automation of HR forms
Key skills I learned:
Employment law | Collective agreements | Reporting | HRD | HRM | Recruitment | Employer Branding | HR Software | Onboarding | Jobylon | SAP HCM | SAP FICO | Efecte | QlikView | Project work | Payroll | IT solutions

SAPOnboardingHR OperationsLinkedIn RecruiterPayroll AdministrationHR Reports+9

HR Assistant

Promoted

May 2015 – May 2017 · 2 yrs

As an HR assistant my key responsibilities were:
Supported HR and payroll administration as part of the HR operations team
Acted as a point of contact for managers, in collaboration with HR Business Partners
Maintained and managed HR and payroll data in SAP, ensuring data accuracy
Contributed to HR reporting and data analysis
Participated in HR projects, system changes, and software testing
Supported interpretation and application of collective agreements and employment law
Assisted with accounting-related HR processes
Key skills I learned:
SAP HCM | SAP FICO | Efecte | Project work | Payroll | IT solutions | Accounting | Team work | Collective agreements | Reporting

SAP HCMSAP FICOEfecteProject workPayrollIT solutions+5

Insurance Financial Advisor

Jun 2012 – Apr 2015 · 2 yrs 10 mos

LähiTapiola is an insurance company from Finland. It's products and services cover non-life, life and pension insurance, as well as investment and saving services.
As an Insurance Financial Advisor I was part of the sales team. My key responsibilities was maintaining relationships with our customers.
Key skills:
Customer service | Finance advise | Insurance advice | Telemarketing | Banking services

Microsoft Office

Ski unlimited oy ltd.

2 roles

Project Manager

Aug 2014 – Jul 2016 · 1 yr 11 mos

Hupellus Snowfestivals organizes alpine trips across Europe, mostly for students and youthful people from Finland.
As a project manager I was responsible for the success of each trip and managing for over 40 trip leaders in our team. I took care of planning our trips and maintaining our relationships with sponsors on and off season. During my time as a project manager I was part of providing unforgettable alpine trips for almost 1000 students.
Key skills I learned:
Event Management | Marketing coordinating | Sales | Public Speaking | Coaching | Communications | Management | Recruitment

Event ManagementMarketingSalesPublic SpeakingCoaching

Trip Leader

Aug 2011 – Jul 2016 · 4 yrs 11 mos

Hupellus Snowfestivals organizes alpine trips across Europe, mostly for students and youthful people from Finland.
As a trip leader I promote our events and trips across Finland. I'm also part of the planning process team, it is my job to ensure that our customers are satisfied with our services.
Key skills I learned:
Event Management | Marketing | Sales | Public Speaking | Coaching

Event Management

Turun kaupunki - åbo stad - city of turku

Substitute Teacher

Aug 2011 – May 2012 · 9 mos

As a substitute teacher for the city of Turku I taught children in elementary and secondary schools. I also worked as an assistant for children with special needs.
Key skills I learned:
Teaching | Education | Assistance

TeachingEducationAssistance

H&m

Sales Advisor

Jun 2009 – May 2012 · 2 yrs 11 mos

The H&M group is one of the world’s leading fashion companies – with the brands H&M and H&M Home, COS, & Other Stories, Monki, Weekday and Cheap Monday.
As a sales advisor at H&M I worked with clothing for men, women and children. Customer service was one of my main responsibilities, but besides that I also answered for the visuals of the store.
Key skills I learned:
Customer Service | Training | Visualist | Maintenance | Inventory work | Cashier

Customer ServiceTrainingVisualistMaintenanceInventory workCashier