At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR operations across multiple sites, supporting a diverse workforce in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a rapidly growing wellness and fitness business with a purpose-driven culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work setup, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture focused on delivering exceptional experiences for clients and employees.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping HR strategies in a people-centric organisation.
- Qualifications: Proven HR leadership experience in fast-paced, multi-site environments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 € per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and operationally focused Head of People to join a purpose-led, wellness and fitness business. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring a commercially minded HR professional who thrives in dynamic environments and is confident balancing people priorities with business needs.
The successful candidate will lead the HR function across a multi-site operation, supporting a diverse workforce of employees, freelancers, healthcare experts and fitness professionals. The business operates within a highly people-centric and regulated environment, requiring a people leader who combines strong emotional intelligence with sound commercial judgement.
This is not a purely strategic position. The role is predominantly operational execution with strategic contribution, requiring someone who understands broader business goals while remaining highly engaged in delivery and day-to-day execution.
The Company:
Our client is a rapidly growing wellness and fitness business operating across multiple studio locations with a workforce of almost 200 people. Sitting at the intersection of fitness, healthcare and wellness, the organisation manages a blended workforce of employed staff, freelancers and regulated practitioners, creating a uniquely complex operating environment.
The culture is entrepreneurial, collaborative and purpose-driven, with a strong focus on delivering exceptional experiences for both clients and employees. The business is evolving quickly and requires a people leader who can create structure and consistency without slowing momentum or overcomplicating processes. This is a company that values transparency, accountability, fairness and commercial awareness. Leadership teams work closely together, and the successful candidate will be expected to build strong partnerships across operations, finance, recruitment and SLT.
The Basics:
- £60,000 - £70,000
- Full-time, hybrid work set up
- Reporting to: The Founder + Chief of Staff
The Role:
The Head of People will take ownership of the full people function across multiple sites, partnering closely with senior leadership, studio managers, operations, finance and recruitment teams. This role requires someone who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves and leading from the front. You will be expected to manage operational HR activity day-to-day while also contributing to wider business objectives and people strategy.
The successful candidate will bring calm authority, sound judgement and the confidence to manage sensitive people matters pragmatically and commercially.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and delivering all operational HR activity across the business
- Managing complex employee relations matters with maturity, pragmatism, and strong judgement
- Supporting managers with performance management, investigations, disciplinary matters, grievances, and conflict resolution
- Encouraging informal and practical resolutions where appropriate, while understanding when escalation is necessary
- Acting as a trusted advisor to leadership teams and operational managers
- Ensuring compliance across a regulated workforce, including areas such as DBS, GDPR, professional registrations, insurance, right-to-work requirements, and wider governance obligations
- Supporting ongoing implementation and optimisation of Factorial HR software to improve compliance tracking, reporting, and operational efficiency
- Building effective relationships across multiple departments and studio locations
- Helping managers navigate difficult people situations confidently and consistently
- Working closely with leadership teams to ensure HR decisions align with commercial and operational priorities
- Creating structure, accountability, and consistency within a fast-moving and evolving environment
- Developing practical HR processes that support delivery without creating unnecessary bureaucracy
- Providing clear communication, visibility, and escalation of people-related risks and challenges
- Operating effectively within a lean HR team, demonstrating strong self-sufficiency, prioritisation, and adaptability
The Person:
The ideal candidate will be an experienced HR professional with a highly operational mindset and the confidence to work autonomously in a demanding, fast-paced environment. You will bring emotional intelligence, resilience, and commercial awareness, alongside the ability to build trust and credibility across all levels of the business.
Key qualities and experiences include:
- Proven experience in a senior HR leadership role within a fast-paced, multi-site environment
- Comfortable operating in a role that is heavily operational rather than purely strategic
- Able to understand strategic business goals while remaining focused on execution and delivery
- Mature and balanced approach to employee relations, with strong judgement and pragmatism
- Calm, credible, and confident handling sensitive or challenging situations
- A genuine people person who can build strong relationships without losing professional boundaries
- Understands that “people-first” does not mean avoiding accountability or difficult decisions
- Commercially minded with a clear understanding of how HR decisions impact operational performance, profitability, and wider business culture
- Agile, adaptable, and comfortable working within ambiguity and change
- Startup mentality with a proactive, solutions-focused approach
- Comfortable building structure and improving consistency without becoming overly process-dependent
- Pragmatic and action-oriented, using process to enable progress rather than create delays or unnecessary complexity
- Comfortable managing competing priorities with limited resources and support
- Experience within regulated industries such as healthcare, wellness, fitness, hospitality, or similar environments is highly desirable
- Strong understanding of compliance, governance, and risk management requirements
- Experience supporting blended workforces including employees, freelancers, and practitioners
- Experience using HR systems, ideally Factorial HR
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence, coach, and challenge stakeholders effectively
This role would suit someone who enjoys being hands-on, thrives in a collaborative environment, and takes pride in delivering practical, commercially aligned HR support that genuinely adds value to the wider business.
Head of People in London employer: Jobs in Fitness
Join a rapidly growing wellness and fitness business that prioritises a people-centric culture, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment. As the Head of People, you will have the opportunity to lead a diverse workforce while fostering employee growth and development, all within a supportive and entrepreneurial atmosphere. With a focus on transparency and accountability, this role allows you to make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced setting, ensuring that both clients and employees receive exceptional experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of People in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the wellness and fitness industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your personality! When you land that interview, let your authentic self shine through. The company is looking for someone who fits their collaborative and purpose-driven culture, so be sure to share your passion for people and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions! Since this role is all about operational execution, think of examples from your past where you’ve successfully managed complex HR situations. Be ready to discuss how you balanced people priorities with business needs – they’ll want to see your calm authority in action.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, shoot a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to reinforce your interest in the role and keep you top of mind as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of People in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for people and how it aligns with our purpose-driven culture.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in operational HR roles. We’re looking for someone who understands the balance between people priorities and business needs, so show us how you've done this before!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; tell us about your successes! Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage complex employee relations and drive operational efficiency. We love a good success story!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jobs in Fitness
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the company's mission, values, and recent developments. Understanding their focus on wellness and fitness will help you align your answers with their culture and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Operational Expertise
Since this role is heavily operational, be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed HR activities in a fast-paced environment. Highlight your ability to balance people priorities with business needs.
✨Prepare for People-Centric Scenarios
Expect questions around employee relations and conflict resolution. Prepare scenarios where you've handled sensitive situations with maturity and pragmatism, showcasing your emotional intelligence and sound judgement.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
This role requires building strong partnerships across various departments. Be prepared to discuss how you've effectively collaborated with different teams in the past, and how you can contribute to a culture that values transparency and accountability.
