Interim VP of People, 15-18 month FTC, High-growth SaaS Scale-up

Interim VP of People l High-Growth SaaS Business

15-18 month contract | London hybrid (1–2 days/week in-office)

About the Company:

We’re partnering with a rapidly scaling, venture capital-backed B2B SaaS business that has doubled its revenues every year, for the last 5 years. The company now employs over 300 people globally, with plans to double in size again over the next year, following a successful VC fundraise and an acquisition. This is a rare opportunity to join a successful scale-up on the cusp of another significant growth leap.

About the Role:

Our client is looking for an Interim VP of People for a 15-18-month contract starting June/July 2025, to cover a period of parental leave, with handover either side.

This is a mission-critical role designed to further elevate the People function and prepare the organisation for continued expansion through the evolution of key People initiatives and processes. You will lead a growing People team, leading on the global People strategy across the UK, USA and Hong Kong.

What You’ll Be Doing:

This is a senior, strategic VP of People role where you’ll be driving global People strategy and forward-thinking People initiatives across multiple geographies.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Defining and executing a global People roadmap aligned with rapid growth, M&A activity, and international expansion
• Leading the evolution of the People function from operational to strategic business partner
• Building scalable and compliant People operations function across global offices
• Designing and implementing high-performance frameworks, including feedback, levelling, and performance development
• Supporting the integration of acquired businesses and harmonising cultures, policies, and practices
• Advising the executive team on organisational design and leadership structure to support scaling
• Levelling up management capability through targeted training, development, and accountability
• Acting as a commercial partner to Finance, Legal, and Revenue leaders on people-related investment, risk, and ROI
• Providing coaching and thought leadership to senior stakeholders and your own team

About You:

We\’re seeking a seasoned VP of People with a proven track record in similar high-impact roles. You will excel in a fast-paced, global environment and demonstrate the strategic acumen and operational expertise required to partner with senior leadership, drive organisational change, and support the business through scalable growth.

You’ll bring:

• Experience leading the People function in a scaling B2B SaaS or tech company, ideally Series B–D
• Deep expertise in organisational design, change management, performance frameworks, and leadership development
• Experience scaling People operations internationally, including compliance and culture-building across regions
• Commercial fluency – be able to link People strategy with business goals and growth drivers
• A hands-on, pragmatic approach with the ability to balance strategy and execution
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the credibility to influence at executive level
• Experience operating internationally, overseeing the USA (preferred)

We recognise how challenging this current job market is for candidates, and Hawkwood are therefore striving to provide the best candidate experience we can.

If you are interested in this opportunity, we kindly request that you apply via this LinkedIn advert, as opposed to sending us an email or LinkedIn direct message. We are eager to ensure that each candidate application is considered fairly, and receives a consistent experience.

Unfortunately, we cannot ensure this standard if you enquire about a role via email or LinkedIn message, as it falls outside of our established process.