HR Director / VP of People
Location: Oxfordshire 3 days on site
Type: Permanent, Full-time
We're going to be upfront with you.
We're conducting a search on behalf of a client we're genuinely excited about and we don't use those words lightly.
Our client is a fast-scaling, VC-backed robotics and AI business operating at the cutting edge of global logistics. They're not a household name yet. They will be. The technology is transformational, the team is exceptional, and the growth trajectory is the kind that makes this a career-defining opportunity for the right person.
This isn't a corporate HR role. Not even close.
If your career has been built inside large, well-resourced organisations with established People teams, mature frameworks, and the infrastructure already in place, we'd encourage you to read carefully before applying.
This role is for someone who has thrived without all of that. Someone who has built rather than inherited. Who has sat in a room with founders and held their own. Who knows what it means to be both the strategist setting the direction and the person rolling their sleeves up to get it done.
The business moves fast. The environment is intense. The impact is immediate. That's the whole point.
The Role
Our client is looking for an HR Director / VP of People to join as the most senior People leader in the business. You'll report into the executive team, own the global People strategy, and play a central role in shaping how the organisation operates as it scales internationally.
This is a full-stack role in every sense, one day you're in a board conversation about org design and the next you're sorting a complex ER situation. If that sounds exhausting, it's not the right fit. If that sounds like exactly your kind of week, read on.
Strategically, you'll:
* Own and drive a global People strategy aligned to the business growth plan
* Partner closely with the exec team on organisational design, workforce planning and leadership capability
* Build the infrastructure, culture and frameworks that allow the business to scale without losing its edge
* Lead meaningful change initiatives across an evolving, fast-moving organisation
Operationally, you'll:
* Run end-to-end HR operations: employee lifecycle, policies, payroll oversight, benefits and compliance
* Ensure legal compliance across UK and international jurisdictions
* Own the HRIS, people data and reporting and make it work harder
* Handle complex ER matters with sound judgement and commercial awareness
On talent and performance, you'll:
* Build performance frameworks that drive real accountability, not bureaucratic annual cycles
* Lead probation management and early-stage performance interventions
* Drive onboarding, engagement and retention with purpose
* Partner with the Head of Talent on global hiring strategy
On culture, you'll:
* Champion a high-performance, ownership-led and inclusive culture
* Lead on DEI in a way that's embedded and genuine, not performative
* Make this a place where exceptional people choose to stay
On international complexity, you'll:
* Support entity setup, EOR partnerships and cross-border employment as the business expands
* Navigate multi-jurisdictional employment risk with confidence
* Lead the response to the Employment Rights Bill and ongoing legislative change
What you'll bring
* 10+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role
* Proven, hands-on start-up and/or scale-up experience, this is non-negotiable for our client
* A track record of building HR infrastructure from scratch in high-growth settings
* Commercial instincts and genuine business acumen, you think like a leader, not just an HR function
* Strong UK employment law knowledge; international exposure strongly preferred
* Direct experience working with founders and executive leadership teams
* The emotional intelligence to manage complex stakeholders and the confidence to push back when it counts
It would also be great if you have:
* Experience in tech, robotics, logistics, SaaS or similarly fast-scaling sectors
* Supported a funding round, restructure or M&A process
* CIPD qualification or equivalent
* Experience implementing or optimising HRIS platforms
What this opportunity offers
On top of a competitive salary and equity consideration, our client offers:
* Private healthcare via Bupa (24/7 helpline included)
* Life insurance and income protection
* Pension: 4%+ employee (salary exchange available), 5% employer
* Employee Assistance Programme
* 25 days holiday
* Full on-site meals
* A culture that takes performance seriously and has a good time doing it
Interested?
If this sounds like the environment you've been built for, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch with the team at Neutra for a confidential conversation we'll tell you more about the business once we've had a chance to connect.