At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR and business operations, shaping the company culture and processes from the ground up.
- Company: Fast-growing autonomous systems company in Paddington, London.
- Benefits: Salary up to £80,000, clear career progression, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building scalable systems in a mission-driven tech startup.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR processes, UK employment law, and a hands-on approach.
- Other info: Opportunity for rapid career growth to Director or C-suite level.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 64000 £ per year.
Office based role in Paddington, London
Senior, hands‐on People & Operations role
Opportunity to build the People & Ops function from the ground up
Work directly with the COO and leadership team
Clear pathway to Director / C‐suite level
Salary up to £80,000 depending on experience
About the client
We are supporting a fast‐growing autonomous systems company that is building the operational foundations to scale rapidly and sustainably. The business is engineering‐led, mission‐driven, and operating in a highly technical environment. As the company grows, they are now looking for a senior People & Operations leader to design, implement, and own the people and business infrastructure that will support the next phase of growth. This is a builder role, ideal for someone who thrives in ambiguity and enjoys creating structure where none exists yet.
The role – Manager, HR & Business Operations
As Manager – HR & Business Operations, you will take ownership of the company's people function and core business operations, ensuring the organisation runs smoothly, compliantly, and with a strong, values‐driven culture. This is a hands‐on, hybrid role (roughly 70% People / 30% Business Operations) where you'll operate both strategically and tactically – building systems today that are designed to scale 10x over the coming years. You'll work closely with the COO and senior leadership, acting as a trusted partner and freeing leadership time by owning HR and operational execution end to end.
Key responsibilities
- Design and implement the full employee lifecycle: hiring, onboarding, performance management, development, and offboarding
- Champion company culture, engagement, and values
- Develop and own HR policies, compliance frameworks, and employee relations
- Act as a trusted advisor to managers on people matters
- Establish and document company‐wide processes (approvals, spend management, project tracking)
- Support headcount planning, budgeting, and workforce reporting
- Design and implement operational workflows, data collection, and dashboards
- Select, implement, and own HR and operational tools
- Build scalable systems that enable growth without chaos
- Act as the bridge between leadership, HR, and teams
- Identify and resolve operational bottlenecks before they impact delivery
- Ensure HR and operational risks are eliminated or proactively managed
Essential experience
- Proven experience building HR and people processes from scratch
- Strong understanding of UK employment law, contracts, compliance, and ER
- Experience owning or running: Hiring and onboarding processes, Performance reviews and career frameworks, HR policies and payroll processes
- Comfortable partnering with Finance and Legal
- Hands‐on, detail‐oriented mindset with strong operational judgement
- Experience in a startup, scale‐up, or high‐growth environment
What's on offer
- Opportunity to define and own the People & Ops function at a fast‐growing UK technology startup
- Real influence over how the company scales
- Clear pathway to Director or C‐suite level
To apply
Please apply via this advert or email Daniel.Jones@searchability.com directly. For further information, call 0203 763 3888 or 07704 152 638.
Human Resources Business Partner in London employer: Searchability®
Contact Detail:
Searchability® Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Human Resources Business Partner in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the role and how you can contribute to building their People & Ops function. Keep it concise and engaging – you want to leave a lasting impression!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Human Resources Business Partner in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Human Resources Business Partner role. Highlight your experience in building HR processes and your understanding of UK employment law. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this hands-on, strategic role. Share specific examples of how you've built people functions from scratch and how you thrive in fast-paced environments.
Showcase Your People Skills: In your application, don't forget to showcase your ability to partner with leadership and manage employee relations. We love candidates who can demonstrate their people skills and how they’ve positively impacted company culture.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Searchability®
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the company's mission, values, and recent developments. Understanding their focus on building operational foundations for growth will help you align your answers with their goals.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a Human Resources Business Partner, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to build relationships. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed employee relations or improved company culture in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world situations. Think of scenarios where you've had to design HR processes from scratch or resolve operational bottlenecks, and be ready to discuss your approach.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about the company's growth plans or how they envision the People & Ops function evolving. This shows your genuine interest and strategic thinking.