Head of People Operations

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United Kingdom.

📋 Description

• Provide guidance to managers and employees on employee relations matters, including grievances, disciplinary issues, performance challenges, absences, and exits.

• Ensure that contracts, handbooks, and policies adhere to employment laws in all countries where the organization operates.

• Monitor legal updates, maintain country-specific terms, and identify compliance risks.

• Confirm accurate classification of permanent, fixed-term, project-funded, consultant, and contractor roles.

• Review and enhance onboarding, offboarding, probation, performance review, leave, and contract-change procedures.

• Utilize AI to draft correspondence and policies, respond to routine employee inquiries, sanitize HR data, and securely summarize survey results.

• Oversee the accuracy of HRIS and people-related data.

• Assist with payroll and benefits administration across various countries.

• Generate dependable people reports for the leadership team.

• Document and assign accountability for people processes.

• Organize the annual company offsite, including setting the agenda, securing venues, managing travel arrangements, visas, budgets, logistics, and facilitation.

• Coach managers and provide essential tools, templates, and training.

• Conduct engagement surveys and transform findings into actionable steps.

• Promote company culture and values while facilitating challenging discussions.

• Represent employee interests to leadership while balancing staff needs, corporate values, and business objectives.

• Report directly to the Chief Operating Officer.

• Supervise three direct reports.

• Engage with managers and employees to implement prioritized process enhancements during the first year.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 7 years of experience in HR.

• Minimum of 2 years leading the people function or a significant portion of it, including managing a small team.

• Proven track record in managing a diverse range of employee relations cases from initial discussions to final resolutions.

• Familiarity with UK employment law and experience in multiple jurisdictions.

• Understanding of contracts, notice periods, leave, and termination regulations across various countries.

• Experience with Employer of Record models and local legal counsel.

• Background in project- or grant-funded organizations.

• Knowledge of classifications for permanent, fixed-term, project-funded, and contractor roles.

• Competence in managing contract renewals and terminations in response to funding changes.

• Strong focus on process improvement and attention to detail.

• Proficient in using an HRIS.

• Familiarity with AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, or Copilot, with practical application examples.

• Experience in planning and executing in-person events, ideally company offsites or retreats for groups exceeding 50 people.

• Exceptional written communication skills and the ability to convey policy in straightforward terms.

• Capability to navigate difficult conversations with empathy and straightforwardness.

• Willingness to occasionally travel to locations in Africa.

• CIPD Level 5 or higher or an equivalent HR qualification is preferred but not mandatory.

• UK HR experience, particularly for individuals working from a GMT +/- 3 hours time zone outside the UK.

🏝️ Benefits

• Opportunity for remote work within the United Kingdom.

• Flexibility and autonomy regarding work hours.

• Emphasis on maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

• Access to professional development plans.

• Connection to global experts through the GLG network.

• Generous professional development budget (“Eduprints”).

• Support for professional training and coaching.

• Chance to engage in technology projects with a global development impact.

• Work within a diverse international team.

• Semi-annual productivity evaluations aligned with a flexible work model.