At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance People systems as we scale rapidly across teams and locations.
- Company: Join Light, an innovative AI-native finance platform transforming the industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work schedule, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic workplace with a focus on collaboration and employee experience.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while shaping company culture.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in HR roles with experience in high-growth environments.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
About Light
Light is the AI-native finance platform built for hypergrowth. Founded in 2022, we've reimagined finance software from the ground up—processing hundreds of millions of records in under a second and automating multi-entity accounting across global jurisdictions. We're trusted by companies like Lovable and Legora, and backed by world‑class investors including Balderton Capital, Atomico, Cherry Ventures, and Seedcamp. In summer 2025, we raised $30M in Series A funding, bringing total funding to $43M. While traditional ERPs bolt AI onto legacy systems, Light was built AI‑first—from database design to user experience. The result: finance teams reduce operational workload by 84% and expand into new countries in days, not months. We’re expanding globally across London, Copenhagen, and soon New York. Join us as we build the finance platform that hypergrowth companies have been waiting for.
Note: this role is 4 days a week onsite
The Role
We’re hiring a Senior People Partner to own and evolve critical People systems & processes as Light continues through rapid scaling and growing across teams, geographies and complexity. This is a high ownership IC role, focused on continuous improvement and enabling a high performance organisation. Over the last 6 months we’ve gone from 40 → 90 and we are looking to make an additional 30+ hires this year. You will report directly to the Head of Finance & Core Ops, and work closely with the wider leadership team, acting as a key partner on people related decisions, while also building and executing within all pillars of HR.
What You Will Be Doing
- Performance Management & Feedback Systems
- Own the design, execution, and iteration of Light’s performance review and feedback cycles
- Ensure performance processes are rigorous, consistent, and drive high-performance behaviours
- Work with leadership to maintain clear expectations, accountability, and promotion decisions
- Compensation & Progression Frameworks
- Own compensation review cycles, benchmarking, and internal alignment processes
- Build, maintain and evolve role levels and progression frameworks across the company
- Ensure compensation and promotion decisions are structured, fair, and consistently applied
- Org Design & Leadership Partnering
- Partner with leadership on org structure, scaling decisions, and team effectiveness
- Advise on organisational changes during growth, ensuring clarity and operational effectiveness
- Identify and resolve structural bottlenecks as the company scales
- Hiring & Talent Partnering
- Partner with Finance and leadership on workforce planning and headcount allocation across teams and geographies
- Support definition and structuring of roles to ensure clarity of scope, level, and organisational fit
- Provide input into hiring prioritisation and sequencing as the company scales
- People Operations & Systems
- Own core People processes including onboarding, offboarding, and employee lifecycle moments
- Improve HR systems and tooling (e.g. HiBob) to ensure scalability and accuracy
- Build operational clarity across People processes as the company grows
- Culture & Ways of Working
- Shape and reinforce effective ways of working as Light scales
- Identify cultural and organisational friction points and drive improvements with leadership
- Strengthen communication rhythms, alignment, and operational cadence across teams
- Company Workplace & Events
- Own the day-to-day workplace experience across Light’s London office, ensuring it is functional, well‑run, and aligned with company culture
- Own planning and execution of company offsites and key team events
- Design experiences that strengthen alignment, trust, and cohesion across global teams
Your Qualifications
- 5+ years experience in a People Partner, People Manager or HRBP role in a high-growth environment
- Ownership of people systems (performance, compensation, hiring, onboarding)
- Exposure to scaling SaaS companies through scaling phases
- Strong business acumen and ability to translate company priorities into people systems
- High agency and comfort operating independently in fast-moving environments
- Strong stakeholder management experience with senior leadership exposure
People Partner employer: Light
At Light, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters innovation and collaboration in a dynamic work environment. Our culture is built on the principles of craftsmanship and rapid execution, offering employees the chance to shape a market-defining product while enjoying competitive salaries, generous leave policies, and engaging team activities. As part of our early team, you'll have unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and the freedom to drive impactful outcomes in the exciting field of AI-driven finance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Partner
✨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 Light!
✨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 Light.
We think you need these skills to ace People Partner
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 Light. 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 Light 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 Light. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Light'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 Light
✨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 Light.
✨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 Light 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 Light and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
