At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive a high-performance culture and support managers in people best practices.
- Company: Join a mission-driven health tech startup tackling obesity and type 2 diabetes.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, private medical insurance, and professional development budget.
- Other info: Dynamic team with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on people's lives while fostering a supportive work environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in people operations, UK employment law knowledge, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Ready to put your people expertise behind the managers and high-performance culture of a mission-driven health tech company? We're looking for an experienced People Operations Manager who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about driving high-performance cultures. This is a hands-on role, with line management responsibility for the People Operations Specialist and People Operations and Office Coordinator. You'll sit at the heartbeat of our mission-driven healthcare startup, working closely with our managers to enable our team to be at their best in conquering obesity and type 2 diabetes.
At Second Nature, we're trying to solve an incredibly complex problem, and that takes a team performing at its best. We believe high-performance cultures don't happen by accident: they're built by people who care deeply about fairness, honest feedback, and creating an environment where everyone can do their best work. That's where you come in.
What you'll do
- Help our managers drive a high-performance culture with empathy and compassion.
- Train and coach managers in people best practice, helping them get the best from their teams (an L&D background is a plus).
- Advise managers on people situations, helping them act early, fairly, and with confidence.
- Lead on culture at Second Nature, from quarterly events to away days.
- Keep our people policies accurate, practical, and legally sound as UK employment law changes.
- Support our twice-yearly performance review and calibration cycles, keeping them fair and consistent.
- Keep our people practices compliant and audit-ready.
- Contribute to wider People team projects, from business continuity and hiring to compliance and engagement.
- Line manage the People Operations Specialist and People Operations and Office Coordinator, providing guidance and support where needed.
Requirements
- Proven experience as a trusted people partner, advising managers on performance and people matters with fairness and sound judgement.
- Strong working knowledge of UK employment law, including in the ERA 2025 changes.
- Experience running performance processes, such as review cycles, calibration, and progression frameworks, using people data to keep decisions fair and consistent.
- Experience supporting reward and pay processes, including pay reviews and benchmarking.
- Experience designing and delivering manager training that builds real-world leadership skills and confidence.
- The ability to see the whole employee lifecycle as one connected system, and to spot where it feels clunky.
- The ability to handle sensitive information with absolute discretion and empathy.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Previous line management experience a bonus but not essential.
- CIPD Level 5 or above, or equivalent experience.
Who you are
- You're calm and fair under pressure, and people trust you with the hardest conversations.
- You're warm and empathetic, but direct; you say the thing that needs saying, kindly, rather than letting a problem drift because it's awkward.
- You're organised and thorough, with a keen eye for detail; you know that in people work, the detail is often the difference between a fair process and an unfair one.
- You're a team player who's happy to muck in beyond your specialism; no task is beneath you when the team needs a hand.
- You handle sensitive information and conversations maturely; people tell you things knowing they'll go no further.
- You're professional and personable in equal measure; people trust you quickly, whether that's a manager mid-crisis or a colleague who just needs a listening ear.
The Company
Obesity has become a global epidemic; in the UK, we spend £9 billion a year alone on diseases like type 2 diabetes (that’s 10% of the NHS budget). What’s shocking is most of this is preventable – through sustained lifestyle and habit change. Enter Second Nature. We’re here to help people take control of their health. By bringing together behavioural science, technology, and incredible people, our grand mission is to eradicate the global epidemic of chronic lifestyle diseases once and for all. Our digital habit change programme – delivered digitally through mobile and web apps – helps people to improve their lifestyle, lose weight, and ultimately reduce their risk for conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
About us:
- We've positively changed the lives of 300,000+ people through accessible, evidence-based healthcare.
- We're rated 'Excellent' on Trustpilot by over 8,000 of our members.
- We're the UK’s largest digital health provider to the NHS.
- We're a leading B2C provider of GLP-1 medication-assisted weight loss programmes, and 1 of 5 NICE-approved providers to deliver these services within the NHS in the future.
- Our team members stay with us for an average of 4.3 years.
Benefits
- An exciting job at a health-tech startup. You’ll be able to see first-hand the impact that we have on improving thousands of people’s lives and tackling the type 2 diabetes and obesity epidemic on a daily basis.
- A competitive market salary and awards/bonuses to recognise your contributions.
- 25 days of holiday plus national holidays, in addition to flexible working hours and autonomy over your workload to support your own wellbeing.
- Private medical insurance, provided after your first year with the company.
- A budget of £200/year to spend on professional development with additional budget available for role-specific training needs.
- Hybrid working policy: 2 days per week in our West London office, the rest of the week remote working.
- Option to join the Salary Sacrifice scheme, and Cycle to Work scheme.
- Quarterly company meet ups and socials in London.
People Operations Manager in London employer: Second Nature
At Second Nature, we pride ourselves on creating a supportive and inclusive work environment where every team member is valued. Located in the vibrant city of London, our culture emphasises genuine hospitality, personal growth, and teamwork, ensuring that you are not just an employee but a vital part of our mission to provide exceptional guest experiences. With opportunities for career advancement, comprehensive training, and a range of benefits including additional annual leave and wellness initiatives, working with us means being part of a community that truly cares about your development and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Operations Manager 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 Second Nature!
✨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 Second Nature.
We think you need these skills to ace People Operations Manager 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 Second Nature. 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 Second Nature 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 Second Nature. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Second Nature'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 Second Nature
✨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 Second Nature.
✨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 Second Nature 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 Second Nature and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
