Human Resources Operations Manager

People Operations Lead

Central London | Office-based

£90,000–£120,000

We’re partnering with a fast-growing Series A, engineering-led technology business to appoint a hands-on People Operations Lead.

With approximately 40 employees globally and plans to nearly double in size, the business has reached the point where it needs greater structure; however, it is determined not to build a traditional, policy-heavy HR function.

This is an opportunity to create the People infrastructure that enables growth while protecting a culture built on trust, transparency, autonomy and individual accountability.

You’ll take ownership of the operational foundations across the employee lifecycle, including:

• Implementing and embedding a new HRIS
• Improving contracts, documentation and People workflows
• Building an effective and engaging onboarding experience
• Creating practical performance, feedback and development frameworks
• Supporting employees across multiple international locations
• Developing consistent People data and reporting
• Working closely with Talent to support rapid growth
• Identifying opportunities to automate and simplify processes
• Helping shape the employee proposition as the business evolves

This role would suit someone who has built People Operations within an early-stage or rapidly scaling business. You might already be leading People Operations, or you could be a commercially minded People Partner who enjoys the operational and systems side of the function. Alternatively, you might be a highly accomplished People Operations team member who is looking to take the reins and build for yourself.

You’ll need to be:

• Comfortable building from first principles
• Experienced in working in a start-up, deep-tech, AI or defence-adjacent business
• Highly operational and willing to get into the detail
• Commercial, pragmatic and solutions-focused
• Confident introducing structure without creating bureaucracy
• Technically curious, with experience of HR systems and process automation
• Collaborative, low-ego and comfortable working with strong opinions
• Adaptable enough to operate in an environment where priorities can change quickly

This is not a role for someone looking to replicate a corporate HR playbook. The business wants an ambitious builder who will challenge assumptions, exercise good judgement and create solutions that are right for its particular stage of growth.

The team works from its Central London headquarters. There is flexibility around individual circumstances and caring responsibilities, but this is an office-led culture where face-to-face collaboration is important.

Interested in building a People function that enables high performance without becoming the internal police? Send me a message for a confidential conversation.