At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and build a global People Operations function in a fast-growing FinTech AI scale-up.
- Company: Join one of Europe's fastest-growing unicorns with a dynamic and innovative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to shape the future of a rapidly expanding global team.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on global operations and employee experience in a thriving company.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-growth tech environments and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 150000 - 180000 £ per year.
Location: London, Hybrid
Salary: £150,000 - £180,000 + Equity
About the company:
Hawkwood is partnering with one of Europe's fastest-growing FinTech AI scale-ups, which has just achieved unicorn status following a $170m Series C funding round, valuing the business at $1.3bn. The company has scaled from 60 employees in 2021 to more than 400 globally today, with continued international expansion across EMEA, APAC and the Americas. This is a business that has achieved exceptional and sustained growth, doubling revenue year-on-year for the past five years while rapidly expanding its global team across London, New York and Belfast to meet growing customer demand. Over the last 12 months alone, headcount has grown from 200 to 400 employees as the business continues to invest heavily in product innovation, international expansion and customer success.
With a customer base that includes many of the world's leading financial organisations, and a track record of strong performance in both challenging and ultra-competitive market conditions, the business has proven both its market relevance and long-term resilience.
The opportunity:
This hire comes at a pivotal moment for the business and its People function. Following a period of rapid scale, the organisation is making significant investment into its People Operations capability, creating the infrastructure required to support a truly global company operating at scale. The Director of People Operations will take ownership of building and professionalising the global People Ops function from the ground up. The role requires someone who enjoys bringing structure to complexity and building scalable, people-first operations within high-growth businesses.
The remit is broad and high impact:
- Building a global People Ops team and fixing fragmented systems and data
- Establishing compliance across multiple international locations
- Building compensation and mobility frameworks
- Creating a best-in-class employee experience
This role will play a critical part in enabling the next stage of global growth.
What you'll do:
- Build and lead the global People Operations function through its next phase of scale
- Partner closely with founders and senior leadership on organisational effectiveness and scale readiness
- Hire and develop key capability across People Ops, analytics, rewards and employee experience
- Establish scalable, globally consistent people processes across the UK, US, APAC and LATAM
- Overhaul and optimise current people systems, data integrity and reporting capabilities
- Design compensation, rewards and mobility frameworks to support international growth
- Create a high-quality employee experience with a strong operational and UX mindset
- Bring greater rigour, accountability and operational excellence into the People function
- Introduce smarter tooling, automation and AI-enabled workflows where appropriate
You will bring:
- Experience leading People Operations within a high-growth technology environment
- A strong track record of building operational infrastructure during periods of rapid growth and ambiguity
- Deep understanding of global people operations, systems, compliance and scaling practices
- A hands-on, builder mentality with the ability to move seamlessly between strategy and execution
- Strong leadership capability with the confidence to coach, challenge and hold teams accountable
- A commercially minded and highly pragmatic approach
- Comfort operating in fast-paced, evolving environments where priorities shift quickly
- A curious mindset around AI, tooling and operational innovation
- High levels of humility, drive and emotional intelligence
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 ask that you apply directly via this LinkedIn advert rather than email or LinkedIn message. This helps us ensure every candidate receives a fair, consistent, and structured experience throughout the process.
Director of People Operations - AI x FinTech, Scale-up in London employer: Hawkwood
Hawkwood is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that thrives on innovation and collaboration within the fast-paced FinTech AI sector. With significant investment in employee growth and a commitment to building a people-first operations framework, employees can expect ample opportunities for professional development and a chance to shape the future of a rapidly expanding global company. Located in London, this scale-up not only provides competitive salaries and equity options but also fosters a supportive environment where creativity and operational excellence are highly valued.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of People Operations - AI x FinTech, Scale-up in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with others on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why you're the perfect fit for the role. Highlight your experience in building operational infrastructure and your hands-on approach to problem-solving, especially in high-growth environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It streamlines the process and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team at Hawkwood.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of People Operations - AI x FinTech, Scale-up in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Director of People Operations. Highlight your experience in high-growth environments and any specific achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how you can bring structure to complexity!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for building scalable people operations and how your hands-on approach can help us during this exciting phase of growth.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:In your application, don’t forget to highlight your leadership capabilities. We’re looking for someone who can coach and challenge teams effectively, so share examples of how you've done this in the past. It’s all about demonstrating your ability to drive operational excellence!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures that your application is processed smoothly and gives you the best chance to stand out. Plus, it helps us provide a fair and consistent experience for all candidates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hawkwood
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the company's history, values, and recent achievements. Understanding their journey to unicorn status and their focus on AI in FinTech will help you connect your experience with their goals.
✨Showcase Your People Ops Expertise
Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've built operational infrastructure in high-growth environments. Highlight your experience with global people operations and how you've tackled challenges similar to those faced by the company.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in complex situations. Think about times when you've had to bring structure to chaos or implement scalable processes, and be prepared to share these stories.
✨Demonstrate a Growth Mindset
The role requires someone who thrives in fast-paced environments. Share your thoughts on how you stay adaptable and curious, especially regarding AI and operational innovation, to show you're aligned with their forward-thinking approach.
