Head of People (Maternity Cover, 9+ months)

About the company -

Considered by many to be the world’s best app marketing agency, Applift combines advanced AI technologies with unique marketing strategies to ensure apps receive a constant stream of new and relevant users.

By continuously analyzing and generating app store trends, our team of app marketing experts ensures that apps appear as the top search result for what most potential users search.

Recognized as an industry standard for apps in 2025, Applift helps top app studios across all industries expand their user base and achieve their app’s full potential.

About The Position - 

As Head of People (Maternity Cover, 6+ months), you’ll run the People function end-to-end in a fast-paced, high-ownership environment working directly with the CEO. You’ll combine hands-on execution with strong leadership, driving day-to-day people operations, leading key company-wide initiatives, supporting managers and employees, and making sure the organization runs smoothly and consistently.

This role is for someone who is operationally sharp, highly proactive, and knows how to push things forward, create order, and deliver results with a high level of ownership and independence, while also bringing strong interpersonal skills, genuinely enjoying working with people, and acting as a central, positive force in the office - energetic, approachable, and helping create a fun and engaging environment.



What You’ll Do

HR Team Management

• Manage and develop the HR Operations and the Recruiter - including regular check-ins, tracking, and guidance, while providing continuous support and professional development.
• Set priorities, define goals, delegate, create structure, ensure high performance, and drive accountability to meet targets.
• Build scalable processes and clear ownership within the team

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Work closely with the CEO, leadership and managers to ensure HR is aligned with the needs and challenges of each department
• Proactively support teams, anticipate needs, and help prevent issues before they arise
• Partner with leadership and managers to remove blockers, drive alignment, and keep execution moving

Hiring Strategy & Execution

• Oversee end-to-end hiring processes across teams, ensure plans and targets are met, and track pipeline health, conversions, speed, and quality.
• Maintain structured, efficient, and high-quality processes - Maintain a high candidate experience while keeping a high hiring bar.
• Lead HR interviews, reference checks, and negotiations
• Work closely with hiring managers and external sourcers

Employee Retention

• Identify risks and proactively act to improve retention
• Lead feedback cycles and employee engagement initiatives
• Monitor trends and provide insights to leadership

People Operations & Office Operations (Ownership + Execution)

• Own and oversee the full employee lifecycle: onboarding, offboarding, policies, documentation, and day-to-day employee support
• Ensure smooth day-to-day office management, including vendors, logistics, and overall office experience while managing budgets and ensuring cost-effective operations

Employee Well-being & Company Events

• Oversee the wellbeing calendar and employee experience initiatives
• Lead large-scale events end-to-end (such as company trip)
• Ensure high standards of execution, including budgets, timelines, logistics, and communication
• Manage and guide the Office & Welfare Manager, who owns day-to-day events and activities

Employee Support & Manager Advisory

• Serve as a trusted address for employees: listen, diagnose, and solve problems quickly and responsibly
• Handle sensitive cases with discretion and sound judgment, while maintaining fairness and company standards
• Support and advise managers on people-related challenges and decision-making

What We’re Looking For

• 4+ years in HR/People management roles in a fast-paced startup environment, with real ownership over operations and execution.
• Strong experience managing recruiting delivery and hiring processes (hands-on + managerial).
• Excellent operational and project management skills; strong follow-through and attention to detail.
• Experience leading stakeholders and managing team members.
• Exceptional communication skills - clear, direct, and reliable (English written + spoken).
• High ownership, proactive, assertive, and independent - someone who takes responsibility and drives outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a genuine passion for working with people; energetic, approachable, and a positive force in the office, contributing to a fun and engaging environment

Nice to Have

• Experience in HR analytics, including building and tracking reports, metrics, and KPIs
• Experience implementing HR tools/systems and building lightweight reporting/KPIs
• Experience leading company-wide events and wellbeing programs (including budgeting and vendor management)