At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and build a global People Operations function in a fast-growing FinTech AI scale-up.
- Company: Join a unicorn FinTech AI scale-up valued at $1.3bn with rapid international growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and a hybrid work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a rapidly expanding company with a focus on innovation.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on global operations and employee experience in a dynamic setting.
- 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.
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: from building a global People Ops team and fixing fragmented systems and data, through to establishing compliance across multiple international locations, building compensation and mobility frameworks, and 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 Slough employer: Hawkwood
Hawkwood is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment within one of Europe's fastest-growing FinTech AI scale-ups. With a strong focus on employee growth and innovation, the company provides competitive salaries, equity options, and a hybrid working model in London, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence. As part of a rapidly expanding global team, employees have the unique opportunity to shape the future of People Operations while contributing to a business that values resilience and market relevance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of People Operations - AI x FinTech, Scale-up in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with yours. This will help you tailor your answers and show them you're the perfect fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. The more comfortable you are speaking about your experience and skills, the more confident you'll be when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of People Operations - AI x FinTech, Scale-up in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Director of People Operations role. Highlight your experience in high-growth environments and how you've built operational infrastructure before. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:This role is all about leading a global team, so don’t hold back on sharing examples of your leadership experience. We love to see how you've coached and developed teams in the past, especially in fast-paced settings.
Be Data-Driven:Since this position involves optimising people systems and data integrity, make sure to mention any experience you have with analytics and reporting. We’re keen on candidates who can bring a data-driven approach to decision-making.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember, the best way to apply is through our website! This ensures that your application gets the attention it deserves and helps us provide a smooth candidate experience. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hawkwood
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the company’s background, especially its recent growth and achievements. Understand their mission and values, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals in building a global People Operations function.
✨Showcase Your Builder Mentality
This role is all about building and professionalising the People Ops function. Be prepared to share specific examples from your past where you’ve successfully created or improved operational infrastructure in a high-growth environment. Highlight your hands-on approach and adaptability.
✨Emphasise Global Experience
Since the company operates across multiple regions, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of global people operations. Discuss any experience you have with compliance, compensation frameworks, or employee experience initiatives in different countries.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your curiosity about the company’s future and challenges. Inquire about their current People Ops strategies, how they plan to scale further, and what tools or innovations they’re considering to enhance their operations.
