Head of People - Sustainable start up / scale up

Head of People - Powerverse

London (hybrid: Tues & Thurs in office) Up to £85,000 Global remit Strategic + hands-on Sustainability-focused scale-up

Saisei Talent are delighted to have been retained by Powerverse to find a hands-on, high-impact Head of People. We are seeking someone who's grown up in tech/startups, understands agile/squad-based ways of working, and is ready to step into (or was recently) Head of People level. You'll partner closely with the CEO and leadership team, coach managers, and build the next layer of people infrastructure while happily rolling your sleeves up in the ops.

This isn't a pure strategy role or a long-established HoP gig - it's perfect for an ambitious senior HRBP / People Lead / No.2 who's been operating at that level in all but title, now ready to own it end-to-end.

About Powerverse

Powerverse is a purpose-led tech company (spun out of Lightsource bp and now independently owned) on a mission to make energy management simpler, more connected and sustainable. With c.50 employees across the UK, Ireland, Spain, Greece and Malaysia (plus third-party teams in India and Ukraine), they're entering a stabilisation-and-shape phase after significant change - and now need a People leader to help them grow with intention. Their product and engineering orgs run in agile, cross-functional squads.

What We're Looking For

This role is for someone confident navigating both strategy and delivery who can influence senior stakeholders one minute, and design onboarding frameworks the next.

We're looking for someone who:

? Understands international employment and has deep UK employment law knowledge.

? Is comfortable with lean teams and hands-on delivery.

? Has experience working in matrixed or squad-based organisations.

? Brings strong experience in L&D, performance, and people systems.

? Has emotional intelligence, presence, and the ability to build trust across cultures.

? Believes in inclusive, values-led leadership and knows how to challenge when it matters.

Key areas of ownership:

Build the Foundations

• Design and implement core HR policies and processes across multiple geographies
• Standardise and embed recruitment, onboarding and performance frameworks
• Support internal communication and collaboration
• Manage payroll, benefits and HR systems (HiBob)

Enable Growth

• Develop a company-wide approach to L&D and introduce management development.
• Support leadership with org design, internal mobility, and succession planning.
• Own employee engagement, recognition and offboarding initiatives.

Partner Strategically

• Act as a sounding board, coach and confident to the CEO and leadership team.
• Contribute to business-wide initiatives, including fundraising preparation and global expansion.
• Champion inclusive practices and build manager capability.

Coach and Develop the Team

• Directly manage and coach the People Ops Specialist in Malaysia.
• Foster a feedback-rich, emotionally intelligent, values-led culture.
• Build scalable systems and people infrastructure that balance structure with agility.

The Role (why it's exciting)

You'll own and evolve the People strategy while still being close to delivery. Expect to:

• Design and embed core People processes across multiple geographies (policies, performance, onboarding, internal mobility).
• Coach, challenge and develop the leadership team & people managers - building confidence, capability and consistency.
• Lead L&D and management development, creating simple, scalable frameworks that actually get used.
• Own performance & reward cycles (salary, bonus, calibration) and make them lightweight, fair and commercial.
• Oversee HR operations & compliance (HiBob, payroll/benefits via third parties, UK employment law + pragmatic multi-country compliance).
• Manage and mentor the People Ops Specialist based in Malaysia.

Why Now?

This role replaces their current SVP People, who has supported the business through a huge period of change. She leaves behind a solid foundation and a fantastic opportunity for someone to come in, take ownership, and build something lasting.

This is a role where you'll be heard. You'll shape culture. You'll build capability. And you'll do it in a company that's creating something meaningful in the world.

The Offer

• Salary: Up to £85,000 + Excellent Bonus
• Location: London hybrid (Tuesdays & Thursdays in-office)
• Team: Member of the leadership group, partnering directly with the CEO
• Timing: Ideally early autumn start to ensure a smooth transition

Interested?

This search is being led exclusively by Amanda Watts at Saisei Talent, a boutique HR search consultancy specialising in leadership hires across tech, media and creative sectors. Apply or reach out directly for the full briefing pack and a confidential chat.

Saisei Talent are an equal opportunity agency and will consider all applications.

We are dedicated to hiring diverse talent and ensuring that we treat you with respect and support throughout the interview process. We strive to include diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in our everyday work, and we commit to using these for our business and for all our Clients & Candidates.