At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build automated people systems for a fast-growing B2B SaaS company.
- Company: Join Optiml, a pioneering tech firm transforming real estate with AI-driven solutions.
- Benefits: Direct impact, ownership of systems, growth opportunities, and a supportive culture.
- Other info: Work remotely with occasional travel to Zurich and team offsites.
- Why this job: Shape the future of work while making a real difference in decarbonising real estate.
- Qualifications: 5-8+ years in People Ops/HR, strong recruiting skills, and a passion for culture.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ 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.
About the role
This isn't a traditional HR hire: we're looking for someone who treats People Ops like a product, building automated systems rather than running the same process manually every time. You'll own the employee experience across CH/DE/UK/remote, working with our AI-native stack (Notion, Slack, AI agents/workflows) to let a lean team operate like a much bigger one. Optiml runs hub-and-spoke, Zurich and London as physical hubs, with the team distributed across CH/DE/UK/EU. Culture doesn't happen by default here; it has to be designed. You'll own how onboarding runs, how offsites are structured, and how a distributed team stays connected, treating offsites as key culture-building moments. We want a team that performs at a high level and genuinely enjoys working together. You'll be the one building and protecting that combination as we scale. You'll thrive here if you love building from first principles, are comfortable with ambiguity, and see culture as a system to design.
Your Mission
- Build and scale people systems suitable for a fast-growing B2B SaaS company — attracting, hiring, developing, and retaining talent aligned with our mission.
- Create clarity, fairness, and accountability through effective people systems and rituals, automated wherever possible.
- Maintain and evolve a culture of ownership, trust, and high performance as the company scales across three+ countries.
Tasks
- Design and build automated onboarding, offboarding, and performance-review workflows.
- Own the people tech stack: evaluate and implement tools/automations that reduce manual admin.
- Run performance management processes and continuously automate the repeatable parts.
- Act as the day-to-day point of contact for employees on culture, wellbeing, and people questions.
- Own recruiting and hiring end-to-end: sourcing, screening, interview coordination, and managing candidate pipelines.
- Partner with hiring managers to define role requirements, build interview kits, and drive hiring decisions to close.
- Design and own culture rituals and communication systems that work across a distributed team.
- Plan and help run team offsites and culture initiatives.
- Partner with the Head of Operations on HR administration and compliance across entities.
- Own end-to-end HR administration across CH/DE/UK entities.
- Manage day-to-day employee relations: performance concerns, grievances, and sensitive people situations.
- Support compensation and benefits administration; salary reviews, benchmarking, and benefits setup/renewal across entities.
- Maintain and keep evolving internal people documentation as a living system.
Requirements
- 5–8+ years in People Ops/HR/Culture, including time in a scaling startup or a strong track record in an adjacent field.
- Proven track record owning full-cycle recruiting — sourcing, screening, and closing.
- Comfortable operating across multiple countries/employment frameworks.
- Strong written and verbal English; German a nice-to-have.
- Genuinely AI-native, uses AI tools daily in your own workflow.
- Builder mentality over administrator mentality, energized by "how do we never do this manually again".
- Based in or able to work from London; willing to travel to Zurich at times plus 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.
- Growth: Work closely with leadership and gain exposure across all company functions.
- Culture: Join a mission-driven, high-performance, distributed team you'll help shape.
- Learning: & development budget.
People and Culture Lead [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 People and Culture Lead [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 People and Culture Lead [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.
