Head of People / Chief of Staff

Synthesized; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in software testing is seeking a Head of People / Chief of Staff to shape its culture and scale operations. This strategic role involves driving alignment, championing a high-performance culture, and partnering with the leadership team. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in People Operations or similar roles, with a proven ability to support executive teams and manage sensitive issues effectively.

Benefits

Generous cash compensation and share options

Flexible work hours

Personal development budget (coaching, courses, events)

Competitive health and dental plan coverage

33 days paid leave per year including flexible national holidays

Snacks and drinks provided weekly

Company events and regular team socials

Qualifications

• 8+ years experience in People Ops, Chief of Staff, or Strategy roles in high-growth environments.
• Proven ability to scale People functions and support executive teams.
• Strong grasp of People/HR systems, compliance, and performance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead the People strategy across talent acquisition, onboarding, L&D, performance, DEI, and engagement.
• Act as a key partner to the CEO, translating strategic goals into actionable plans.
• Drive key strategic initiatives, from planning to execution.

Skills

Communication

Emotional Intelligence

Organizational Skills

Data-driven

Problem Solving

Job description

About Us

Synthesized is transforming how the world tests software with AI. Trusted by global leaders like Deutsche Bank, UBS, and the European Commission, our AI-powered platform enables teams to generate high-quality test data and test cases in seconds—slashing costs, accelerating delivery, and eliminating reliance on production data. We're a VC-backed company supported by top investors. With strong traction across financial services, healthtech, and telecom, and a $90B+ market in sight, we're scaling fast in 2025 and beyond.

The Role

Reporting to the CEO, the Head of People / Chief of Staff is a strategic and operational leader who will shape our culture, scale our people operations, and ensure executive priorities are turned into action. You’ll be at the heart of our company—driving alignment, championing a high-performance culture, and acting as a key partner to the leadership team as we scale.

You’ll bring a strong People/HR background and the ability to operate at both strategic and tactical levels. You’ll help us hire top talent, develop our people, and build the internal systems needed to support growth, while also working directly with the CEO to coordinate cross-functional priorities and keep the company running smoothly.

Key Responsibilities

People Leadership

• Lead the People strategy across talent acquisition, onboarding, L&D, performance, DEI, and engagement
• Build and scale HR operations, ensuring systems and processes support a high-growth environment
• Shape and nurture Synthesized’s culture, values, and leadership principles
• Partner with managers and execs to drive performance, employee development, and organizational design
• Own employee experience from hire to exit, ensuring retention, well-being, and continuous feedback

Strategic Execution (Chief of Staff)

• Act as a key partner to the CEO, translating strategic goals into actionable plans across the business
• Own internal comms, leadership operating cadences, and cross-functional OKRs
• Drive key strategic initiatives, from planning to execution, keeping teams aligned and accountable
• Prepare board materials, executive reports, and internal briefings
• Spot operational inefficiencies, implement improvements, and ensure organizational effectiveness

About You

• 8+ years experience in People Ops, Chief of Staff, or Strategy roles in high-growth environments
• Proven ability to scale People functions and support executive teams
• Strong grasp of People/HR systems, compliance, and performance frameworks
• Exceptional communication, emotional intelligence, and organizational skills
• Confident managing sensitive issues with discretion and clarity
• Thrives in ambiguity, fast-moving contexts, and cross-functional teams
• Data-driven, detail-oriented, and solutions-focused with a “get stuff done” mindset

What We Offer

• Wonderful office in central London, hybrid 4-days
• Generous cash compensation and share options
• Flexible work hours
• Personal development budget (coaching, courses, events)
• Competitive health and dental plan coverage ️
• 33 days paid leave per year including flexible national holidays
• Snacks and drinks provided weekly
• Working alongside great people in a friendly and respectful environment ️
• Company events, regular team socials, and international trips ️

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace at Synthesized. Synthesized is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status or any other legally protected status.