At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead our UK People Team and drive impactful change in a growing tech startup.
- Company: Join Zen, a certified B Corporation™ revolutionising education staffing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, ownership in the company, 25+ days holiday, health insurance, and more.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture where every voice is valued.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in People domains with a passion for driving results and improving processes.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Location: London (Oval)
Type: Full-time, onsite
Salary: Competitive salary
Hi I'm Ashni, I'm the Global VP of People across the UK, US, Canada and South Africa, and I'm looking for someone to partner with me and lead our UK team. Today, my People Team is a global function and you’ll be taking on a high impact role in supporting a UK team of 270+ people (and growing!) and a global team of over 600. You’ll work closely with our Co-Founders, Slava and Oren, our Senior Leadership Team and the wider People function to make sure we have the people, leadership, structure and processes needed for the next stage of growth.
The simple version of the role is: Help us build an organisation where great people can do great work, managers genuinely manage, and our People practices scale as quickly as the business does. This isn’t a role for someone who wants to sit on the sidelines advising from a distance. We’re looking for someone who can spot what needs to change, build the solution and make it happen.
What we're building and why: Schools in the UK and US spend over £12bn a year on agency staff, and £3.6bn of that goes straight into the pockets of recruitment agencies. That’s why we’ve built an alternative. Zen is an all-in-one digital platform that gives schools full control over how they find, vet, and manage temporary educators. Think “tech startup,” but solving a painfully human, operational, and systemic issue in education staffing. Our platform is built to be scalable and intuitive, designed in close collaboration with schools and educators to fit seamlessly into existing school workflows. School leaders can search, book, and manage staff in real time, while gaining full visibility and control over their spend and compliance. We are incredibly proud that our approach to helping Schools and Educators has led to us becoming a Certified B Corporation™. We’ve had tremendous success and are currently experiencing a period of exceptional growth. We’re looking for a seasoned operator to come in, roll up their sleeves, and get their hands dirty working closely with senior leaders across the business.
What We're Looking For: You’ll have a demonstrated record of driving exceptional results in People domains or subdomains. This likely will be in either a high-growth startup or other performance obsessed organisation. Some of the traits that usually correlate with success in this role:
- Relentless drive to deliver tangible outcomes
- Endless curiosity
- Hold a wildly high performance standard for themselves and those around them
- Systems level thinker adept at driving clarity from ambiguity
- Boundless resilience for dealing with the tricky parts of the People tradecraft
What Your First 6-12 Months Might Look Like: You’ll be a player coach assuming a day 1 line management for a team of 5 individuals across the US and UK. No two days are the same and you could be getting stuck into things like:
- Raising the bar for managers:
People Lead employer: Zen Educate
Zen Educate is an exceptional employer that offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the education sector while enjoying a supportive and fun-loving work culture. With competitive benefits such as health and life insurance, a cycle to work scheme, and ownership in the company, employees are encouraged to grow alongside the organisation. Located in Sunderland, this role provides the chance to lead initiatives that directly benefit local schools, fostering both professional development and community engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Lead
✨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 Zen Educate!
✨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 Zen Educate.
We think you need these skills to ace People Lead
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 Zen Educate. 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 Zen Educate 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 Zen Educate. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Zen Educate'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 Zen Educate
✨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 Zen Educate.
✨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 Zen Educate 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 Zen Educate and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
