At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop the People team while tackling performance and employee challenges.
- Company: Join a mission-driven healthtech startup making a real difference in healthcare.
- Benefits: Up to £60k salary, share options, hybrid work, and a supportive culture.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career growth in a purpose-led business.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced environment focused on improving health outcomes.
- Qualifications: Experience in People Operations, strong communication skills, and a passion for tech innovation.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
People Operations Manager
The Opportunity
Hawkwood is partnering with a VC-backed mission-driven healthtech business tackling one of the most significant challenges facing healthcare today.
Combining behavioural science, clinical expertise and technology, the business has built a healthcare platform designed to help people make lasting improvements to their health.
Already operating at meaningful scale, they are now looking for a People Operations Manager to join their People team and play a key role in how the organisation develops as it grows.
This is a broad role sitting at the intersection of People Ops, Partnering and team management.
You'll manage and develop two members of the People team, partner directly with managers on people and performance challenges, and take ownership of ensuring the foundations of the People function run brilliantly.
There is also a meaningful build component to the role.
The business is actively exploring how technology and AI can simplify internal processes and create a better employee experience, rather than defaulting to additional systems, policies or bureaucracy.
As a result, this isn't a role for someone who automatically reaches for the HR playbook.
They're looking for someone pragmatic and commercially minded who understands excellent People practice, but is equally comfortable questioning established ways of working and thinking from first principles.
For someone who enjoys breadth, ownership and solving problems in a fast-moving environment, there is significant scope to make an impact in an exciting, purpose-led business.
What you'll do
- Manage, coach and develop two members of the People team.
- Partner with managers across the business on performance, employee relations and broader day-to-day people challenges.
- Support performance reviews, calibration, progression and reward processes across the organisation.
- Ensure People policies and practices remain appropriate and aligned with UK employment legislation.
- Identify opportunities to improve processes across the employee lifecycle, simplifying areas that create unnecessary friction.
- Explore how technology and AI can make People Operations smarter, more efficient and more scalable.
- Contribute to wider projects spanning culture, engagement, compliance, hiring and business operations.
- Help create an excellent employee experience while balancing individual needs with the commercial realities of a growing business.
You will bring
- Proven experience in a People Operations or People Generalist role, ideally within a startup, scale-up or similarly fast-moving environment.
- Experience partnering directly with managers on people, performance and employee-related matters.
- Sufficient employee relations experience to confidently own processes, alongside the judgement to recognise when additional support is required.
- A good working knowledge of UK employment law.
- Strong judgement and maturity when handling sensitive conversations and confidential information.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to constructively challenge stakeholders when needed.
- A pragmatic and commercially minded approach, balancing empathy for indiviuals with the needs of the wider organisation.
- Curiosity about technology and AI, particularly how they can improve the effectiveness of People teams.
- A willingness to question established processes, form your own views and clearly explain the thinking behind your decisions.
- Comfort operating with ambiguity, changing priorities and a high degree of ownership.
- Some experience managing, mentoring or coaching others would be valuable, although previous formal line management is not essential.
- CIPD qualifications are welcome, but equivalent hands-on experience is equally valued.
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 Linked In advert, as opposed to sending us an email or Linked In 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 inquire about a role via email or Linked In message, as it falls outside of our established process.
People Operations Manager, Mission-driven HealthTech, up to £60k in Slough employer: Hawkwood
Hawkwood is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and people-first culture that thrives on innovation and collaboration. As a People Operations Advisor in London, you'll benefit from a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and the opportunity to shape global People processes within a rapidly growing international professional services firm. With a strong focus on employee development and a commitment to leveraging modern technology, Hawkwood provides a unique environment for personal and professional growth, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Operations Manager, Mission-driven HealthTech, up to £60k in Slough
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Hawkwood!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Hawkwood.
We think you need these skills to ace People Operations Manager, Mission-driven HealthTech, up to £60k in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Hawkwood. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Hawkwood and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Hawkwood. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Hawkwood's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hawkwood
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Hawkwood.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Hawkwood will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Hawkwood and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
