Job Description

As

Chief People Officer (CPO)

, you will lead the strategic development and execution of the people agenda, driving workforce transformation and growth. You will champion a people-centric culture, manage change initiatives including AI integration, and collaborate closely with senior leadership to align people strategies with business objectives. Your role will encompass overseeing talent management, compliance, employee experience, and organizational development to support Payara's evolving global workforce.

Summary Details

Role:

Chief People Officer (CPO)

Seniority:

Executive / C-suite

Location:

UK (100% remote)

Compensation:

Competitive executive package, including base salary, Benefits and performance-based incentives, aligned with experience and market standards

What you will do

Strategic People Leadership and Organizational Development

Develop and implement a comprehensive people strategy aligned with the company's growth and transformation objectives. Lead the design and execution of workforce planning, talent acquisition, and retention strategies to support business goals. Foster a high-performance culture that promotes employee engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

AI Integration and Workforce Transformation

Champion the integration of AI technologies within the workforce, driving change management initiatives to support a hybrid human-AI workplace. Collaborate with senior leadership to anticipate and manage the impact of AI on organizational structure, roles, and employee experience. Promote a forward-thinking mindset that embraces AI as a transformative tool for enhancing productivity and innovation.

Senior Leadership Collaboration and Influence

Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, CFO, and Senior Leadership Team on all people-related matters, influencing strategic decisions with data-driven insights. Communicate effectively at all levels, advocating for people-first initiatives and ensuring alignment with business priorities. Lead and develop the People Operations teams, fostering excellence and operational efficiency.

Compliance, Risk Management, and Employee Relations

Ensure compliance with UK and European employment law and regulatory requirements regarding working with a freelance workforce. Oversee employee relations, conflict resolution, and organizational health to maintain a positive and productive work environment. Set and manage budgets related to people operations, including compensation, benefits, and incentive programs.

Talent Development and Succession Planning

Design and implement leadership development, learning, and career progression programs to build internal capabilities. Identify and nurture high-potential talent to ensure robust succession planning for key roles. Monitor and analyse workforce metrics to inform continuous improvement in talent management.

Reporting and Stakeholder Communication

Provide regular updates and insights on people strategy, workforce metrics, and transformation progress to the Senior Leadership Team and board. Lead through transparent communication with employees regarding organizational changes, initiatives, and company performance.

What you will bring

At least 10 to 15 years of progressive experience in HRM or People Management roles, including a minimum of 3 years as a Chief People Officer (CPO) or equivalent senior leadership position. Proven track record in managing complex, global workforces with a mix of employees and freelancers, ensuring compliance and legal adherence. Strong experience in strategic people management, workforce planning, and driving organizational transformation. Demonstrated ability to lead change management initiatives, particularly related to AI integration and future workforce transformation. Excellent communication and influencing skills at senior leadership and board level, with authority to advocate for people-centric strategies. Experience managing budgets and working closely with CFOs on financial aspects of people operations. Awareness of leading HR trends, including advanced knowledge of AI's impact on the workplace and workforce planning. Demonstrable Business Acumen, and Data literacy.

Desirable Technical Skills

Advanced knowledge of HRM information systems and people analytics platforms Proficiency with AI-driven HRM tools and workforce management software Experience with strategic workforce planning and talent management systems Budget management and financial literacy relevant to C-suite roles Familiarity with compliance, employment law software, and risk management tools Proven ability to use Project management techniques to ensure execution excellence.

Personal Skills & Behaviours

Passionate about driving strategic people initiatives and business transformation Demonstrates strong leadership and change management capabilities, especially in AI-driven workplace evolution Excellent communicator with the ability to influence and challenge senior leadership effectively Highly collaborative, able to work closely with executive teams to align people strategy with business goals Resilient and adaptable, capable of managing complex organizational dynamics and fostering a positive culture Strong ethical mindset with a commitment to people-centric leadership and workforce advocacy

Qualifications

* CIPD level 7 or equivalent experience in Field