At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the people function, designing automated systems for recruitment and culture.
- Company: Join Optiml, a pioneering tech company transforming real estate with AI.
- Benefits: Direct impact on decarbonisation, ownership of systems, and a learning budget.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic, distributed environment with growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape a mission-driven team while building a people function from scratch.
- Qualifications: 4-7 years in People Ops or related fields, with a builder mentality.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
About Optiml
Optiml is transforming real estate with Real Estate Decision Intelligence (REDI), an AI-powered decision technology that helps decarbonize buildings while optimizing asset and portfolio financial performance. Our platform helps investors, owners, and asset managers make clearer capital allocation and decarbonisation decisions by translating complex regulatory, financial, and technical constraints into actionable renovation and investment plans. Founded as an ETH Zurich spin-off, Optiml launched its first product in April 2024 and is now scaling across Europe and the US, with teams based in Zurich, London, and across Germany/the EU. The company is backed by leading US and European investors, including Innovation Endeavors, Planet A Ventures, KOMPAS, BitStone Capital, and The Bau Ventures. Following an oversubscribed €8M Seed round, we are accelerating product development and go-to-market execution.
The opportunity
We are looking for a Founding People Lead (m/f/d) (80%) to build Optiml's people function from the ground up. You will get the chance to treat People Ops like a product, designing automated systems instead of running the same process manually every time, so a lean team can operate like a much bigger one. You will own the full people function end-to-end: recruiting and hiring across commercial, technical, and operational roles, onboarding, performance and HR operations. Optiml runs hub-and-spoke, with Zurich and London as physical hubs and the international and diverse team distributed across CH, DE and the UK. Culture here does not happen by default; it has to be designed. You will own how onboarding runs, how offsites are structured, and how a distributed team stays connected. You will thrive here if you build from first principles, are comfortable with ambiguity, and see the people function as a system to design. You make people's decisions from the business need backwards and are a credible sparring partner for founders, not only an executor.
Tasks
- E2E Recruitment
- Own recruiting and hiring end-to-end across commercial, technical, and operational roles
- Partner with hiring managers to define role requirements, build structured interview kits, and standardise candidate communication
- Build and scale an automated people function
- Build and automate onboarding, offboarding, and performance-review workflows using the AI-native stack (Notion, Slack, AI agents)
- Own the people tech stack: evaluate and implement tools and automations that cut manual admin
- Grow and protect the culture
- Design and own culture rituals and communication systems that work across a distributed, hub-and-spoke team
- Plan and help run team offsites and culture initiatives
- Run performance management (30/60/90s, probation reviews) and continuously automate the repeatable parts
- Act as the day-to-day point of contact for employees on culture, wellbeing, and people questions
- Run HR operations and compliance
- Own HR administration and compliance across the CH, DE, and UK entities: contracts, amendments, employee records, and local employment law, partnering with the Head of Operations
- Manage day-to-day employee relations - performance concerns, grievances, and sensitive situations - escalating appropriately
- Support compensation and benefits administration: salary reviews, benchmarking, and benefits setup and renewal across entities
Requirements
- 4-7 years in People Ops or Engineering, HR or Recruitment, including time in a startup or high-paced environment - or a strong track record in an adjacent field (operations, consulting, founder's office) with a genuine pull toward people and culture work
- Proven ownership of a full people function or key processes end-to-end: you have built structure from scratch without a roadmap and kept several workstreams running in parallel
- Track record owning full-cycle recruiting across different roles and departments: sourcing, screening, and closing
- Strong stakeholder management and experience in building trusted relationships across a distributed team and with founders
- Business acumen, understanding the business model, stage, and priorities, and make people and hiring decisions from the business need backwards
- Builder mentality: Using AI tools daily in your own workflow and are energized by removing manual, repeatable work
- Track record setting up and improving HR operations end-to-end: HRIS, processes, policies, and compliance is ideal
- Strong written and verbal English; German as a nice-to-have
- Based in or able to work from London, and willing to travel to Zurich and offsites
Benefits
- Direct impact: Play a critical role in scaling a company transforming how real estate decarbonizes
- Ownership: Build and own the people function's tooling and systems from scratch, not inherit someone else's stack
- Growth: Work closely with leadership and gain exposure across all company functions
- Culture: Join a mission-driven, high-performance, distributed team you will help shape
- Learning and development budget
Founding People Lead (m/f/d) [80%] in London employer: Optiml
Optiml is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the rapidly evolving field of Real Estate Decision Intelligence. With a strong focus on employee growth, team members benefit from unique opportunities to engage with cutting-edge technology while contributing to sustainable practices in real estate. Located in London, the hybrid work model allows for flexibility and a balanced approach to professional development and personal well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding People Lead (m/f/d) [80%] 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!
✨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 Optiml!
✨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 Optiml.
We think you need these skills to ace Founding People Lead (m/f/d) [80%] in London
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 Optiml. 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 Optiml 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 Optiml. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Optiml'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 Optiml
✨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 Optiml.
✨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 Optiml 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 Optiml and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
