Head of People & Operations

The Head of People & Operations is responsible for shaping the employee experience and operational foundations of the studio. This role sits at the intersection of people, culture, operations and business performance, ensuring that our team is supported, our ways of working continue to evolve, and the business is equipped to scale sustainably. You'll partner closely with the CEO, Managing Director and department leaders to attract exceptional talent, develop our people, strengthen our culture and continuously improve how the business operates. From recruitment and career development through to operational excellence and organizational planning, you'll play a key role in creating an environment where both our people and the business can thrive. This is a strategic and hands-on leadership role, requiring someone equally comfortable thinking about long-term organizational design as they are executing to improve processes, solve problems and implement change. Responsibilities People Strategy & Culture Own the recruitment strategy across permanent and freelance hiring. Partner with department leaders to forecast hiring and resource requirements. Oversee the full recruitment lifecycle from role definition through onboarding. Build strong relationships with recruiters, freelance networks and industry talent. Continuously improve the onboarding experience to ensure new hires are set up for success from day one. Develop talent pipelines to support future business growth. Talent Acquisition & Planning Own the recruitment strategy across permanent and freelance hiring. Partner with department leaders to forecast hiring and resource requirements. Oversee the full recruitment lifecycle from role definition through onboarding. Build strong relationships with recruiters, freelance networks and industry talent. Continuously improve the onboarding experience to ensure new hires are set up for success from day one. Develop talent pipelines to support future business growth. Learning & Development Develop and lead the studio's learning and development strategy. Create clear career pathways and progression frameworks across all disciplines. Partner with department leaders to identify capability gaps and development opportunities. Design and coordinate internal and external training programs, workshops, mentoring and coaching initiatives. Support managers in creating meaningful development plans for their teams. Foster a culture of continuous learning and cross-disciplinary knowledge sharing. Measure the effectiveness of development initiatives and continually evolve the learning offering. Performance & Career Development Lead the studio's performance review and feedback processes via Cultureamp Support managers in setting meaningful objectives and delivering effective performance conversations. Ensure career development plans are embedded across the organization. Identify and nurture high-potential talent. Partner with leadership on promotion, succession, and retention planning. Use people insights and data to continually improve employee performance and engagement. Operations & Business Excellence Develop scalable operational processes that improve efficiency across the studio. Identify opportunities to simplify workflows, reduce friction and improve collaboration. Partner with department leaders and talent and operations team on planning and resource forecasting. Support the implementation of new systems, tools and internal processes. Lead internal operational improvement initiatives and change management. Ensure operational processes evolve alongside business growth. Leadership & Business Partnership Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Managing Director and senior leadership team. Translate business priorities into people and operational initiatives. Use people data and operational metrics to support decision-making. Drive cross-functional initiatives that improve how the studio operates. Help shape the long-term organizational strategy and future growth of the business. Compliance & People Operations Ensure compliance with employment legislation, company policies and HR best practice. Oversee HR systems, documentation and employee records via Justworks Manage employee benefits administration via Justworks Review and update policies as the business evolves ensuring the studio is competitive Experience 10+ years' experience in People Operations, HR, Business Operations or a similar leadership role. Experience supporting a growing creative, agency, technology or professional services business. Strong understanding of employment law and HR best practices. Experience developing people strategies, career frameworks and learning initiatives. Demonstrated experience improving operational processes and implementing scalable systems. Experience partnering with senior leadership on organizational planning and change management. Comfortable balancing strategic planning with day-to-day execution. Salary Range $150,000 - $170,000 annually. Salary for the prospective employee is determined by a combination of factors that include qualifications, applicable skills, relevant experience and other budgetary considerations such as location/geography. Benefits Include Comprehensive health coverage – Medical, dental and vision insurance, plus HSA and FSA options. 401(k) with company contribution – 3% Safe Harbor contribution after six months of service, whether or not you contribute yourself. Company-paid life insurance – Basic Life and AD&D coverage included, with the option to purchase additional coverage. Generous paid time off – 15 days PTO in addition to Holiday Closures Summer Fridays – Up to four Fridays off between Memorial Day and Labor Day, subject to workload. Flexible sick leave Hybrid working – 4 Days in Office / 1 Remote Generous Employee Referral bonuses Yearly profit sharing program Employee & Company Performance-based bonus