The PJL is a global showjumping competition redefining the sport through elite team competition, record-breaking prize money, and a sustainable professional model for riders. Backed by McCourt Global and its Executive Chairman Frank McCourt, and shaped by leaders from equestrian sport, international competition, and entertainment, the PJL brings together the world’s top riders and horses to compete across fourteen iconic venues in Europe, North America, and the Middle East. With sixteen teams, an innovative rider selection process and a guaranteed $300 million prize pot, the PJL combines world-class athletic performance with premium entertainment, opening the sport to new global audiences while honouring its heritage.
Our Mission
Our mission is to elevate jumping to its rightful place as a premier global sport – championing riders and horses with a merit-based, financially sustainable league that celebrates elite athletic performance, unlocks new opportunities, and brings fans closer to the power, precision, and beauty of jumping.
We are committed to raising standards, advancing welfare, innovating through technology, and honouring the heritage of the sport while creating an accessible, world‑class experience for a new generation of global fans.
About the Role
The Premier Jumping League is seeking a London‑based Vice President of Human Resources to serve as the company’s people leader owning the full HR function for a transatlantic workforce, including a distributed US team and a growing London office, which combined globally will be a cross‑functional team of approximately 50 employees by end of 2026.
This role sits at the center of a build‑phase, commercially driven organization. As the League establishes itself globally – securing founding partners, building premium experiences, and scaling a new model for the sport – you will be responsible for building the people infrastructure that enables that ambition. This role requires a commercially aware, hands‑on HR leader who understands how people strategy supports revenue, partnerships, and company growth.
Our ideal candidate will have solid HR experience having worked in mature businesses, understanding best practices, while also operating comfortably in a start‑up environment where teams are being built in real time, leaders are selling vision and long‑term value, and infrastructure is still being defined and implemented. You will bring a builder mindset and strong operational credibility – introducing structure, consistency, and compliance without slowing momentum. You are pragmatic in your approach, are a natural relationship builder and connector of teams, able to balance strategic thinking with day‑to‑day execution, confidently navigating the complexity of a global leadership team and workforce.
Reporting to the CFO, you will also work closely with McCourt Global’s CHRO and benefit from their shared services for payroll and benefits administration.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a pragmatic HR strategy aligned with the Premier Jumping League’s commercial objectives and McCourt Global priorities; serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on organizational design, talent planning, and culture; partner with the CFO on workforce planning, job mapping and alignment, compensation strategy, and budgeting in a lean, scaling environment
- Employee Relations & Compliance: Ensure full compliance with UK employment law while supporting US employment practices in coordination with McCourt Global and external advisors; lead employee relations matters including performance management, disciplinary processes, and conflict resolution; maintain and continuously evolve HR policies and procedures across jurisdictions
- Talent & Organizational Development: Lead recruiting efforts to support critical hiring objectives across the US and UK, with a focus on attracting high‑caliber, commercially minded talent; implement a performance management process, develop employee engagement metrics, as well as development initiatives, when appropriate; support leadership development and succession planning as the organization scales
- HR Operations: Oversee day‑to‑day HR operations including onboarding, offboarding, and HR systems; partner with McCourt Global on payroll and benefits administration; ensure accurate, compliant, and audit‑ready employee data and records
- Culture & Employee Experience: Foster a cohesive, high‑performing culture across a distributed US team and London office; lead initiatives that support engagement, inclusion, and retention; serve as an accessible and credible HR leader for employees across both regions
Required Skills and Experience
- 10-15+ years of progressive HR experience, including senior leadership responsibility in a lean or scaling environment
- Experience supporting an international workforce with teams across both UK and US
- Deep expertise in UK employment law and hands‑on experience applying it in practice
- Strong working knowledge of US employment law and multi‑state considerations
- Proven ability to operate as a standalone or lead HR operator – balancing strategy and execution
- Experience building HR programs and infrastructure from the ground up
- Experience working within or alongside a parent company or shared services model
- Strong judgment, communication, and stakeholder management skills
Premier Jumping League is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetics, disability, age, familial, caregiver or veteran status, or any other status protected under applicable law.
