Head of People in London

Head of People in London

London Full-Time 51750 - 63250 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
InvestEngine

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and scale InvestEngine's people function, focusing on performance and talent management.
  • Company: Join a fast-growing fintech with a strong foundation and passionate team.
  • Benefits: Impactful work from day one, opportunities for growth, and a supportive culture.
  • Other info: Enjoy hybrid working in London with a talented, collaborative team.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of a dynamic company while driving meaningful change in people operations.
  • Qualifications: Experience scaling teams in high-growth environments and strong people management skills.

The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.

About InvestEngine

InvestEngine is everything the modern investor should need. Unbeatable value, market-leading automation, and built for easy, long-term investing. We’ve built a strong foundation, have over £2 billion invested, award-winning service, and a passionate team — now we’re ready to scale.

About the Role

We’re looking for a Head of People to join our People & Talent team. You’ll be responsible for building and running InvestEngine’s people function end-to-end — covering both People and Talent, from regulatory compliance and performance to systems, automation, and hiring. This role reports directly to the CEO, reflecting the importance of people as a core driver of company performance. This role is ideal for someone who’s hands-on, execution-focused, and thrives in scaling environments. You’ve seen what breaks as companies grow from 100 to 500 employees — and you know how to fix it. You’ll work closely with the CEO, leadership team, managers, and compliance, and have the autonomy to own and deliver the entire people agenda. This is a playing coach role — not a strategist sitting on the sidelines, but someone who leads by doing. This is a hybrid role based in London, combining in-office collaboration with flexibility.

What You’ll Do

  • Build and embed a performance-calibrated operating model and consistent, well-governed decision-making
  • Run the performance management cycle end-to-end
  • Coach and enable managers to operate effectively
  • Drive an AI-first people operations approach — automating onboarding, enabling self-serve HR, and building scalable systems using Notion and modern tooling
  • Design and implement automated, tech-enabled workflows across core people processes to keep the team lean while the company scales
  • Partner with leadership to retain top talent, focusing on progression, performance differentiation, and high-quality manager conversations
  • Own and scale the hiring and talent engine, building a structured, high-bar, values-driven approach to attracting and selecting top performers
  • Own and ensure full regulatory compliance across all people processes, including FCA requirements, partnering closely with Compliance to maintain audit readiness

What We’re Looking For

  • Proven experience scaling a company from ~100 to 500 employees in a high-growth environment
  • Strong experience across People and Talent, with the ability to operate end-to-end
  • Deep understanding of performance-driven environments
  • Hands-on manager coaching experience — able to directly influence behaviour and raise standards
  • Experience in an FCA-regulated (or similar) environment, with strong understanding of regulatory people processes
  • Strong systems and operational mindset
  • High level of comfort with AI, automation, and modern tooling, with a bias toward scalable, self-serve solutions
  • Strong commercial awareness — understands how people decisions impact cost, efficiency, and growth
  • Clear, confident communicator, comfortable working closely with senior leadership and the CEO

Nice to Have

  • Background in fintech or high-growth scale-ups
  • Experience building AI-enabled HR processes or internal tools
  • Exposure to Remuneration Committees and performance-linked compensation processes
  • Experience operating in lean, high-ownership environments

How We Work

We’re a lean, fast-moving team that values clarity, ownership, and transparency. You’ll have the freedom to experiment, the responsibility to follow through, and the backing of a team that values clear thinking and open dialogue. We believe in solving problems at the root, not just treating the symptoms.

What We Offer

  • Impact from day one: You’ll take on meaningful work from the start, tackling real challenges that drive the stability, efficiency, and growth of our business.
  • Room to grow: As we scale, you’ll have opportunities to expand your responsibilities, influence how we work, and help shape our long-term direction.
  • Transparent and open culture: We share decisions openly, keep communication channels clear, and encourage collaboration across every part of the business.
  • Supportive, high-calibre team: Work alongside talented professionals who are experts in their fields — smart, driven, and generous with their knowledge.
  • Hybrid working (London-based): Work closely with the team in person while maintaining flexibility — we value outcomes and collaboration in equal measure.

Our Hiring Process

  • Introductory call with our Talent team
  • Gamified cognitive assessment to understand how you think and problem-solve
  • Competency interview focused on your experience
  • Senior leadership interview to explore alignment with our culture, values, and strategic direction

Head of People in London employer: InvestEngine

InvestEngine is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work culture that empowers employees to make a direct impact on product and engineering growth. With a remote-first approach, unlimited vacation policy, and a strong focus on mentorship and professional development, we provide our team members with the autonomy and resources they need to thrive in a fast-paced fintech environment. Join us in shaping the future of ETF investing while enjoying a modern tech environment and the opportunity to grow alongside a rapidly scaling organisation in the heart of London.

InvestEngine

Contact Details:

InvestEngine Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of People in London

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!

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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 InvestEngine!

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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 InvestEngine.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of People in London

People Management
Talent Acquisition
Performance Management
Coaching Skills
Regulatory Compliance
AI and Automation Proficiency
Systems Thinking

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 InvestEngine. 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 InvestEngine 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 InvestEngine. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.

Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to InvestEngine'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 InvestEngine

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 InvestEngine.

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 InvestEngine 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 InvestEngine and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.