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- Tasks: Partner with the CTO to shape talent strategy and organisational design.
- Company: Join a leading frontier AI lab at the forefront of innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £225k, equity, and flexible working.
- Other info: Dynamic start-up culture with opportunities for significant career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a rapidly growing tech environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-growth HR roles and working with technical teams.
Location: London (2 days a week)
Salary Range: Up to £225k + Equity
Hawkwood is partnering with a world-leading frontier AI lab that is looking to hire a Senior HR Business Partner to work directly with the CTO. This is an opportunity to join one of the more exciting AI companies out there and help shape their People strategy. You’ll be working with some of the most technical minds in the world, supporting them in solving problems that haven’t been tackled before. They’re growing rapidly, so you’ll need to be comfortable operating in a fairly scrappy, start-up environment, while also helping to implement the infrastructure needed for an organisation that could scale to several thousand people over the next few years.
This is not a traditional HR Business Partner role. You’ll be supporting leading scientists at the forefront of technological innovation, acting as a true thought partner and helping shape how the business builds, develops, and leads its talent as it looks to double headcount this year.
What you’ll be doing:
- Partner closely with the CTO and senior leaders on organisational design, talent strategy, and team effectiveness
- Coach and challenge leaders to raise the bar on management capability and performance
- Own and shape key people processes, including performance, compensation, and organisational planning
- Build scalable approaches that work today and continue to make sense as the business grows
- Navigate complexity and ambiguity, bringing clarity and structure where needed
- Support a deeply technical organisation in an environment that is still being built, with the opportunity to shape and evolve the playbook
What we're looking for:
- Experience as a Senior HR Business Partner or People Director in high-growth environments
- Recent experience partnering with a CTO or senior technology leaders
- Experience working with research scientists or deeply technical engineering teams
- A track record of operating at pace in scale-ups, ideally alongside engineering or product organisations
- Strong judgement and the ability to operate without heavy structure or process
- Credibility with senior stakeholders and the confidence to challenge where needed
- A balance of strategic thinking and hands-on delivery
- Experience in complex environments where you’ve had to build and influence
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.
Senior HR Business Partner - Leading Frontier AI Lab (Paying up to £225k + Equity) employer: Hawkwood
Contact Detail:
Hawkwood Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior HR Business Partner - Leading Frontier AI Lab (Paying up to £225k + Equity)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the AI and tech space, especially those who might know someone at the company you're eyeing. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a referral, which is gold in this competitive market.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the company's culture and values. Understand their mission and how they operate. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets what they're about.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your adaptability! In a fast-paced environment like a frontier AI lab, being able to pivot and thrive amidst change is crucial. Share examples from your past where you've successfully navigated ambiguity or helped shape processes in a growing organisation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it keeps everything streamlined and fair for everyone involved. We want to see you succeed!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior HR Business Partner - Leading Frontier AI Lab (Paying up to £225k + Equity)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role. Highlight your experience with senior tech leaders and any work you've done in high-growth environments. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're excited about this opportunity and how your background aligns with our needs. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm for the role and the company.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, share examples of how you've navigated complex situations or built processes in fast-paced environments. We’re looking for someone who can thrive in ambiguity and help us shape our people strategy.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember, the best way to apply is through our website. This ensures your application gets the attention it deserves and keeps everything organised on our end. We can't wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hawkwood
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, take some time to research the company and its leaders, especially the CTO. Understanding their vision and challenges will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate that you're not just a fit for the role, but also aligned with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
This role requires a balance of strategic insight and hands-on execution. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully navigated complex environments and influenced key stakeholders. Highlight how your strategic decisions led to tangible outcomes.
✨Embrace the Scrappy Start-Up Culture
Since the company is in a rapid growth phase, be ready to discuss how you've thrived in similar high-growth, dynamic environments. Share stories that illustrate your adaptability and ability to build processes from the ground up while maintaining clarity amidst ambiguity.
✨Prepare Thought-Provoking Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the company's direction. Ask about their talent strategy or how they envision scaling their people processes as they grow. This shows your genuine interest and strategic mindset.