At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the People and Culture function, shaping strategy and performance across the business.
- Company: Join Amber Labs, a cutting-edge tech consultancy with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, private medical insurance, remote work, and a personal training budget.
- Other info: Join a fast-growing team and help shape the future of Amber Labs.
- Why this job: Be a key player in transforming our people strategy and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a People Director in a scaling tech or professional services environment.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
This is a leadership role, not a process one. As People Director you will own the entire People and Culture function, partnering directly with the CEO and COO to move Amber Labs from founder-led and reactive to structured, accountable and scalable. You will set the direction, build the operating model, and raise the standard of how we manage and develop our people. We already have junior HR capacity. What we need is a senior leader who can set direction, challenge where needed, and be one accountable owner for everything People and Culture.
At Amber Labs, we are a cutting edge UK and European technology consultancy that prioritises empowering autonomy, promoting experimentation, and facilitating rapid learning to provide exceptional value to our clients. Our company culture is centred around collaboration, where all colleagues, regardless of their role, work together to minimise risk and shorten delivery times. Our team consists of highly skilled cross functional consultants, analysts, and support staff.
What You Will Own
- People strategy: design and deliver the People roadmap in partnership with the CEO and COO.
- Performance culture: build a performance management framework, address existing issues, and improve manager capability across the business.
- Retention and engagement: identify key talent, build retention plans, benchmark reward, and create clear career pathways.
- Organisational design: lead workforce planning across permanent and contractor populations as the business scales.
- Leadership development: coach managers, close leadership gaps, and raise the standard of people leadership across the business.
- HR operations: ensure policies, processes and compliance are robust and fit for a scaling business, including IR35 obligations.
- Team leadership: develop and guide the existing junior HR team.
What We Are Looking For
- Proven experience as a People Director or senior People leader in a scaling business, ideally in technology or professional services.
- A track record of building People functions and improving performance culture, not just operating within existing frameworks.
- Confident advising at CEO and board level, with the credibility to challenge as well as support.
- Experience managing blended workforces including contractors and FTCs, with working knowledge of IR35.
- Comfortable in a business of 50 to 200 people moving at pace: you know what good looks like at this stage of growth.
What We Offer
- 25 days annual leave plus public holidays, so you can actually switch off.
- Private medical insurance with Bupa.
- Remote-first working with a base at Liverpool Street when you want it.
- A personal training budget to invest in your growth, however that looks for you.
- A very generous referral scheme, because the best people tend to know the best people.
- Perkbox, giving you access to hundreds of perks and discounts across eating out, shopping, wellness, entertainment and more.
- EV scheme after one year of service, supporting you in making the switch to electric.
- Regular team socials with a group of people who genuinely enjoy working together.
- Employer pension contributions.
- And most importantly, the chance to be part of something from the ground up. Amber Labs is growing fast and the people joining now will shape what this business becomes.
People Director employer: Amber Labs
Amber Labs is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, empowering employees to take ownership of their roles while promoting continuous learning and development. With a focus on employee well-being, the company offers generous benefits such as private medical insurance, a personal training budget, and a remote-first working model, all designed to support a healthy work-life balance. Joining Amber Labs means being part of a rapidly growing technology consultancy where your contributions will directly shape the future of the organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at Amber Labs or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding Amber Labs' culture and values. Think about how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around performance culture and leadership development. Show them you’re not just a fit, but the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for the job to come to you! Apply through our website and make sure to follow up. A little persistence goes a long way, and it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to showcase your leadership style. Amber Labs is looking for someone who can challenge and support at the same time. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams and driven change in previous roles.
We think you need these skills to ace People Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Style:As a People Director, we want to see how you lead and inspire others. Share examples of your leadership style and how you've built strong teams in the past. This is your chance to shine!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect our values and the specific requirements of the role. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their experience with what we're looking for.
Highlight Your Impact:We’re all about making a difference! In your application, focus on the tangible results you've achieved in previous roles, especially in building people functions and improving performance culture.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While we appreciate professionalism, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. We’re looking for someone who fits into our collaborative culture, so a touch of authenticity can go a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Amber Labs
✨Know Your People Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into Amber Labs' current people strategy and think about how you can enhance it. Be ready to discuss specific ideas on how to design and deliver a People roadmap that aligns with their goals, especially in a scaling environment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare examples from your past roles where you've successfully built People functions and improved performance culture. Highlight your experience advising at CEO and board level, and be ready to discuss how you've challenged existing frameworks to drive change.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with the technology consultancy landscape and the unique challenges that come with managing blended workforces. Be prepared to discuss your knowledge of IR35 and how it impacts workforce planning, as well as your approach to retaining key talent in a fast-paced environment.
✨Engage with Their Culture
Amber Labs values collaboration and rapid learning, so demonstrate your understanding of their culture during the interview. Share how you've fostered a collaborative environment in previous roles and how you plan to develop and guide the junior HR team to align with this ethos.
