Head of People

Oakleaf Partnership; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Oakleaf Partnership is assisting a fast-growing boutique technology advisory firm in finding an experienced HR leader to run the People function, shape culture, and support growth.

Reporting to the CEO, the role covers recruitment, resourcing, people operations, payroll, performance management, employee relations, and leading a small team across multiple countries.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of HR leadership in professional services or similar
• Experience building people strategies and operating models for growth
• Knowledge of UK employment law and compliance

Responsibilities

• Lead all HR operations: recruitment, resourcing, payroll, performance management, and ER
• Manage a small, high-performing HR team and advise senior stakeholders
• Partner with leadership to scale the business across multiple countries

Skills

HR leadership

People operations

UK employment law

International payroll

Employer of Record (EOR)

Talent management

Stakeholder management

Job description

Our client is a fast-growing boutique technology advisory firm supporting private equity investors and their portfolio companies. We are partnering them in their search for an experienced HR leader to lead their People function, strengthen their culture, and help scale the business through its next phase of growth.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead all operational aspects of HR across recruitment, resourcing, people operations, payroll, performance management and employee relations. You will manage a small, high-performing team and act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders across the business.

This role is ideal for an experienced HR generalist who has a good understanding of the management consultancy business model and who combines strong operational delivery with commercial awareness and enjoys working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Candidate Profile

You will bring more than 10 years of HR leadership experience within a professional services, consulting, or other people-intensive environment. You will have a proven track record of leading HR functions in high-growth, scale-up, or entrepreneurial businesses, with experience building effective people strategies, improving HR processes, implementing systems, and developing operating models that support business growth.

You will have broad experience across all areas of people operations across multiple countries, including managing international payroll and Employer of Record (EOR) arrangements, alongside strong knowledge of UK employment law and compliance requirements.

A key requirement is the ability to lead, develop, and inspire HR teams while operating effectively in a fast-paced environment where priorities and business needs can change quickly. The successful candidate will be commercially minded, adaptable, and comfortable partnering with senior stakeholders to support organisational growth.

You must have experience managing consultant utilisation, project staffing, and workforce planning in a professional services context. Experience in a private equity-backed business would be advantageous, as well as experience supporting growth from around 50 to 200 employees, managing a mixed workforce of permanent employees and contractors, and establishing people operations in new international markets.