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, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Exciting chance to influence company culture and operations in a fast-paced setting.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping our culture and driving high-performance behaviours.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in HR roles with experience in high-growth environments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Note: this role is 4-5 days a week onsite.
About Light
Light is an 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, enabling finance teams to 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.
The Role
We’re hiring a Senior People Partner to own and evolve critical People systems & processes as Light continues through rapid scaling and growth across teams, geographies, and complexity. This is a high-ownership IC role focused on continuous improvement and enabling a high-performance organization. Over the last 6 months we’ve grown from 40 to 90 employees and 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 across all pillars of HR.
- 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 of 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
- Structured, analytical thinking and ability to operate in ambiguity
- Working knowledge of UK and European employment frameworks
Bonus Points
- Experience across both Talent Acquisition and broader People/HR systems
- Experience designing or significantly evolving performance or compensation systems
- Experience owning company-wide events or offsites at scale
People Partner employer: Light
Light is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where innovation meets collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth and a culture that champions high performance, team members are empowered to shape critical people systems while enjoying the benefits of a rapidly expanding company backed by world-class investors. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that values your contributions and fosters a supportive atmosphere for professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A personal connection can often get you noticed faster than a CV.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Tailor your answers to show how you align with their mission—especially important for a role like People Partner!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience can help Light scale effectively. Highlight your past successes in similar roles to make a strong impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace People Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the People Partner role. Highlight your experience in performance management, compensation frameworks, and any relevant HR systems you've worked with. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about joining Light and how you can contribute to our growth. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the role.
Showcase Your People Skills:As a People Partner, strong stakeholder management is key. In your application, share examples of how you've successfully partnered with leadership and driven people-related decisions. We love seeing real-life stories!
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 the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on being part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Light
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Light's mission and values. Understand their AI-native finance platform and how it stands out in the market. Being able to discuss specific features or recent developments will show your genuine interest and help you connect with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous roles in detail, especially those related to performance management and HR systems. Use specific examples that highlight your ownership of people processes and how you've contributed to scaling in high-growth environments. This will demonstrate your fit for the Senior People Partner role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about Light's culture, growth plans, and how they envision the People Partner role evolving. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company aligns with your values and career goals.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to tackle scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle ambiguity. Think about past challenges you've faced in HR and how you navigated them. This will showcase your analytical thinking and stakeholder management experience, which are crucial for this role.
