People Partner – 12‑Month Maternity Cover (Fixed‑Term)

About the role

We are scaling quickly and need a People Partner to step in for a 12‑month maternity cover. You will be the first point of contact for all People queries, own KPIs, drive engagement, manage performance reviews and handle employee relations cases. Reporting to the VP of People, you will empower managers, work without a rigid playbook and thrive in an ambiguous, fast‑moving environment.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the go‑to contact for all People queries across the business.
• Own and report on People KPIs.
• Run and analyse engagement surveys.
• Own the performance review cycle.
• Handle people cases end to end.
• Deliver manager and management training.
• Shape onboarding strategy.
• Identify and implement AI/automation opportunities across People admin.

Required profile

• Approachable and calm under pressure.
• Coaching mindset with a passion for developing managers.
• Comfortable working without a rigid playbook and switching contexts quickly.
• Confident in constructively pushing back on senior stakeholders.
• High emotional intelligence and comfort with ambiguity.
• Available to start before October for a two‑week handover.

Required skills

• HRIS proficiency (Humaans) and people analytics.
• Performance review cycle management.
• Experience using AI/automation to reduce People admin.
• Engagement survey tools (e.g., Culture Amp).
• Onboarding strategy design.
• Recruitment‑tech or B2B SaaS background.
• Knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations.

What we offer

• 24 days holiday + Bank Holidays + birthday off.
• £1,200 annual benefits allowance (from month 2).
• Early finish Fridays (16:00).
• Yearly company retreat abroad.
• 30 days to work from anywhere.
• Statutory pension with NEST (3% employer, 5% employee).
• Unlimited access to Spill Therapy.
• Company socials, quarterly team socials, free Monday lunches.
• Nursery workplace benefit scheme (Yellownest).
• Celebrated Zinc anniversaries.