Senior Director of People

ROLI; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company in London is seeking a Senior Director of People to define their people strategy and nurture exceptional talent. This role demands over 15 years of leadership experience in creative or technology-driven environments, aiming for alignment with organizational goals while promoting diversity and inclusion. The position embraces a hybrid working format, offering competitive compensation and a range of benefits.

Benefits

Healthcare cash plan

Pension scheme

Volunteering days

Yoga classes

Regular social events

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience as a People leader in creative or technology-driven companies.
• Proven track record in scaling people programs in fast-growing environments.
• Deep expertise in organizational design and performance management.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute ROLI’s People strategy aligned with company goals.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Leadership Team on organizational design.
• Lead talent acquisition and employer branding efforts.

Skills

Organizational design

Leadership development

Performance management

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Strategic thinking

Communication

Job description

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About the Job

At ROLI, we’re redefining the boundaries between music, design, and technology. As Senior Director of People, you’ll shape the culture, structure, and systems that empower our teams to do their most creative work. You’ll guide ROLI’s people strategy from recruitment to development, ensuring we grow with purpose, nurture exceptional talent, and stay true to the curiosity, collaboration, and craft that define who we are.

About Us

At ROLI, we believe music lives inside everyone - it’s a universal right. Our mission is simple: to create tools that turn all humans into music makers. From the groundbreaking Seaboard to our latest ROLI Piano and Airwave, we design intuitive instruments and technologies that make music creation more expressive, accessible, and inspiring.

We’re a team of musicians, engineers, coders, researchers, and creatives of every background, united by a passion for learning, innovation, and collaboration. What we share is a drive to free the music - to empower people everywhere to connect with themselves and with others through sound.

At ROLI, this is more than work - it’s a chance to unlock the music inside everyone and transform creativity worldwide.

Your Purpose

You ensure ROLI’s people and culture thrive as we scale globally. By combining strategic vision with hands‑on leadership, you’ll build the frameworks, programs, and environment that allow creativity and performance to flourish side by side. Partnering closely with the People and Leadership functions, you’ll turn ROLI’s mission and values into a living, breathing experience for every team member.

Your Responsibilities

• You define and execute ROLI’s People strategy in alignment with company goals, ensuring we attract, retain, and develop world‑class talent.
• You act as a trusted advisor to the Leadership Team, shaping organizational design, leadership capability, and workforce planning.
• You lead talent acquisition and employer branding, ensuring we bring in exceptional people across engineering, product, design, and creative functions.
• You develop programs for onboarding, learning, and leadership growth that foster continuous development and career progression.
• You champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, embedding them in every aspect of culture, communication, and decision‑making.
• You design and manage compensation frameworks, total rewards, and equity programs that reflect both market benchmarks and ROLI’s creative ethos.
• You ensure compliance with employment laws and practices across all jurisdictions where ROLI operates.
• You lead People operations and systems, using data and analytics to improve visibility, engagement, and organizational effectiveness.
• You nurture a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and accountability, helping every team member do their best work.

Who We’re Looking For

• You’re an experienced People leader (15+ years) with a proven track record shaping teams and cultures in creative or technology‑driven companies.
• You’ve built and scaled people programs in fast‑growing or international environments, balancing structure with agility.
• You bring deep expertise in organizational design, performance management, and leadership development.
• You have experience scaling teams globally, supporting international expansion, and managing entity setup to ensure smooth, compliant growth across markets.
• You use data and insights to inform decisions, translating engagement metrics, retention trends, and performance data into actionable strategy that drives growth and impact.
• You understand the nuances of employment law, with strong UK experience and familiarity with US compliance.
• You’re a thoughtful, empathetic communicator who inspires trust and inclusion across all levels.
• You’re confident presenting to Executives and Boards, with exceptional communication, influencing, and business partnering skills that build trust, inspire alignment, and shape strategic decisions across the business.
• You combine strategic thinking with operational discipline, and know when to zoom in or out to get results.
• You’re passionate about music, creativity, and helping people unlock their potential in a mission‑driven environment.

Your Impact

You’ll Know You’re Succeeding When:

• ROLI attracts and retains exceptional, diverse talent who feel inspired and supported.
• Our culture continues to evolve while staying true to ROLI’s creative DNA.
• Leadership capability and team engagement grow through effective programs and coaching.
• Our People systems and processes scale seamlessly with the company’s growth.
• Employees describe ROLI as a place where they can do the best work of their careers.

Life at ROLI

This role comes with a competitive salary and a range of benefits designed to support your health, well‑being, and creativity, including a healthcare cash plan, pension scheme, volunteering days, Bike2Work, access to trained counsellors, hack days, yoga classes and a product lending library. You’ll also enjoy regular social events, from summer and end‑of‑year parties to team outings.

We embrace hybrid working, with a minimum amount of three days in the office, giving you the flexibility to balance collaboration and focus time. And because we know great work needs great fuel, you’ll enjoy freshly made smoothies, breakfast pastries, and vegan lunches during the week!

Application Process

We aim to make our hiring process transparent and candidate‑friendly. Here’s what you can expect:

• Intro Call – A conversation with our Talent Acquisition Partner to discuss your background, experience, and interest in the role.
• Hiring Manager Interview – A discussion with the Co-Founder to explore your skills, approach, and fit for the team as well as align on ROLI’s values and your motivation for joining us.
• Team Interviews – A broader conversation with team members and key stakeholders to explore your background and alignment with the working environment.

We strive to move efficiently through the process while giving you the opportunity to learn about the role, the team, and life at ROLI.

Inclusion & Belonging

At ROLI, we celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetics, or age. If you need any accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know - we’re here to support you.

Location

United Kingdom (Hybrid)