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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead People & Business Operations in EMEA, shaping culture and driving strategic initiatives.
- Company: Handshake connects students with meaningful careers, reshaping the future of work for a new generation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a vibrant hybrid workplace, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team that values diversity and empowers talent to thrive.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR or Business Operations, ideally in fast-paced tech environments; strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Bonus points for German proficiency and experience supporting leadership teams.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
About Handshake
Handshake is the leading early career network, helping millions of students and graduates discover meaningful careers. We’re on a mission to democratise opportunity by connecting talent with employers, no matter where they come from or who they know. In EMEA, we’re scaling fast, building a team, platform, and brand that can help reshape the future of work for a new generation.
The Role
We’re looking for a Head of People & Business Operations to lead our G&A function in EMEA. This is a high-impact, full-stack role with end-to-end accountability for all things People, Talent, Office & Employee Experience, Business Operations, and coordination across Finance & Legal matters. You’ll serve as a strategic advisor to the GM of EMEA and play a key leadership role in building a strong, scalable foundation for our EMEA business.
You’ll bring both strategic and operational depth, able to zoom out and shape our people roadmap while also rolling up your sleeves to execute core processes and solve day-to-day challenges.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in ambiguity, moves quickly, and is passionate about building high-performing, values-aligned teams.
Key Responsibilities
People & Culture
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Lead all aspects of the People function in EMEA, including HRBP, HR Ops, Talent Acquisition, and office management.
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Develop and execute strategic people initiatives – talent planning, performance management, culture transformation, and leadership development.
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Serve as a coach and thought partner to leaders across the region on organisational design, employee engagement, and talent development.
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Partner closely with US based People & Talent functions to localise and implement key programs.
Business Operations & G&A
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Act as the operational lead for G&A in EMEA, ensuring alignment between People, Legal, and Finance priorities.
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Liaise with legal counsel on employment matters, compliance, immigration, and regulatory requirements.
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Oversee local budget management, vendor contracts, and support on cross-functional projects tied to business performance.
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Own office operations and employee experience, ensuring a vibrant and well-run hybrid workplace.
Strategic Leadership
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Serve as a key member of the EMEA Leadership Team, helping drive business strategy, cross-functional alignment, and execution.
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Lead or co-lead key regional initiatives such as entity set-up, M&A integration, or new market expansion as required.
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Build repeatable systems, playbooks, and infrastructure to help Handshake scale sustainably across the region.
What We\’re Looking For
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Experience across People/HR, Business Operations, or G&A roles, ideally in high-growth SaaS or tech environments.
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Proven track record in both strategic and hands-on roles, with experience scaling teams and operations in a growing business.
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Deep knowledge of HR best practices, employment law (UK and/or EU), and experience working across international teams.
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Strong commercial acumen and comfort navigating legal and financial topics.
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Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
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High degree of ownership, bias for action, and comfort with ambiguity.
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(Bonus): Experience supporting a regional GM or leadership team.
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(Bonus): Proficient in German
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Head of People & Business Operations, EMEA employer: Handshake
Contact Detail:
Handshake Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of People & Business Operations, EMEA
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Handshake's mission and values. Understanding how we aim to democratise opportunity will help you align your experience and vision with our goals during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Handshake, especially those in People and Business Operations roles. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led people initiatives and business operations in previous roles. Highlighting your strategic and hands-on experience will demonstrate your fit for this high-impact position.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on HR best practices and employment laws in the UK and EU. Being knowledgeable about these topics will show your commitment to compliance and effective people management, which is crucial for this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of People & Business Operations, EMEA
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take time to thoroughly read the job description for the Head of People & Business Operations role. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, and think about how your experience aligns with these.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in People/HR and Business Operations. Use specific examples that demonstrate your strategic and hands-on capabilities, especially in high-growth environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for building high-performing teams and your understanding of the challenges in the EMEA region. Mention any experience you have with international teams and your approach to navigating ambiguity.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise your knowledge of HR best practices, employment law, and your commercial acumen. If you have experience supporting leadership teams or proficiency in German, make sure to include that as well.
How to prepare for a job interview at Handshake
✨Understand the Company Culture
Before your interview, take some time to research Handshake's culture and values. Familiarise yourself with their mission to democratise opportunity and how they connect talent with employers. This will help you align your answers with their core values during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
As a Head of People & Business Operations, you'll need to demonstrate both strategic and operational capabilities. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully developed and executed people initiatives or led business operations in a high-growth environment.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle ambiguity and make decisions under pressure. Think of specific scenarios where you've navigated complex HR or operational challenges, and be ready to discuss your thought process and outcomes.
✨Highlight Your Communication Skills
Exceptional communication is key for this role. Be prepared to discuss how you've effectively managed stakeholders and influenced decisions in previous roles. Use clear examples to illustrate your ability to communicate across different teams and levels within an organisation.
