People Operations Manager

Cambridge, UK | Full-time | Permanent | Salary: £55,000 to £70,000 DOE 

We will also consider part-time applications for this role. Please indicate your preferred working schedule in your cover letter. 

About us 

Riverlane’s mission is to make quantum computing useful, sooner. From advances in material science to complex chemistry simulation for drug design and discovery, quantum computers will help solve some of the world’s most important challenges. Riverlane is building the quantum error correction stack to make this happen. It’s a complex problem that requires a range of skills, talent and passion. We’re making remarkable progress and growing fast.   

About the role  

Riverlane’s dedicated People team is focused on attracting, developing and retaining top talent, while fostering our truly unique culture.  Our amazing people are at the heart of Riverlane. We’re incredibly proud of the forward-thinking, open, inclusive and collaborative environment we’ve built, where every individual can be themselves and feel enabled to do their best work.  

We have an exciting opportunity for a Global People Operations Manager to join our fantastic People team, helping us to deliver an outstanding employee experience that reflects Riverlane’s values and culture.   Based in our head office in Cambridge, UK and reporting to the Head of People & Culture, the Global People Operations Lead will manage the People Administration Assistant and work closely with the Global Talent Acquisition Lead to provide an excellent employee experience across all Riverlane locations (currently UK and US).    

Guided by Riverlane’s vision, mission and values, you will be excited to deliver proactive and business-focused generalist HR support to managers and employees across our global locations. As an employee advocate, you will champion and nurture our inclusive, values-based culture, in which people feel a sense of belonging.  

What you will do  

The Global People Operations Manager will provide outstanding HR support across Riverlane, including:  

• Accountability for the full employee lifecycle: from onboarding, through to exit you will ensure People processes are optimised and run smoothly to deliver an outstanding employee experience.  

• Payroll and benefits: working with our external partners and Finance team to ensure the smooth running of payrolls and successful management of employee benefits schemes.  

• Overseeing the People Operations Assistant to ensure that people data and records are accurately maintained. 

• Providing insightful reporting and metrics. 

• Owning and managing our global immigration and relocation processes to ensure a positive, efficient and compliant experience for employees.  

• Partnering with and coaching line managers, providing first-class HR support and guidance  

• Providing employees with excellent advice and support through various HR challenges.  

• Responsibility for legal compliance of HR processes, including continually improving and enhancing People policies, processes and practices. 

• Implementing, driving and supporting various People projects to help further develop an excellent People function, that supports Riverlane’s vision and mission. 

Requirements

What we need  

To thrive in this role, you'll need: 

• Previous experience as a People Operations Lead, HR Manager or other similar role, ideally in a deep tech/scientific setting.  

• Passion to deliver a great employee experience, making sure processes are simple and efficient.  

• Excellent problem-solving skills, backed up by concrete examples that demonstrate how you have successfully implemented improvements in previous role(s).  

• A good working knowledge of the critical components of a successful People Operations function, including managing the employee lifecycle, running payroll and benefits, effective HR analytics and reporting and driving employee engagement and wellbeing initiatives. 

• Experience in performance management, disciplinary matters and handling grievances effectively. You can navigate conflict successfully and provide support and guidance to employees and managers dealing with challenging circumstances.      

• Line management, supervisory or mentoring experience, supporting the development of team members. 

• Proficiency in key Microsoft programmes, including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Word. 

• HR tech savvy – you can competently and effectively use HR technology, including an HRIS, DocuSign (or similar) and deliver comprehensive reporting and analytics. 

• A collaborative approach, with a team-oriented, can-do mentality. A great team player.  

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. You are comfortable communicating and presenting HR concepts clearly, concisely and confidently. 

• Discretion and the ability to handle HR matters confidentially and with the appropriate sensitivity required.  

• CIPD qualification and/or a degree in HR (or related field/equivalent experience). 

• Right to work in the UK (regrettably we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position).  

Even better if 

• You have previous HR experience in the technology sector and/or a scale-up environment 

• You bring skills in another area of HR, such as DEIB, Talent Development, Compensation/Reward or Global Mobility.   

• You have proven line management experience. 

How to apply 

Please upload a CV and covering letter by clicking 'Apply Now'. Your covering letter should 

explain why you are applying for the job and what skills and experience you can bring to 

the role. 

We review CVs as we receive them and interview as soon as we have applications that 

look like a good match (usually within one week). We do not use closing dates. So, please 

apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this role. We advertised this role on 12th November 2024.

If you have any queries, please contact jobs@riverlane.com. 

Everyone is welcome at Riverlane. We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from eligible and suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender reassignment, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity/paternity. 

Studies have shown that women tend to apply to jobs if they meet all or almost all of the requirements whereas men apply even if they meet only some of the requirements. If that sounds like you then please apply – we are happy to review your application and let you know if we think you might be a good fit. 

If you need any adjustments made to the application or selection process so you can do your best, please let us know. We will be happy to help. 

Benefits

What can you expect from us 

• A comprehensive benefits package that includes private medical insurance, life insurance, a contributory pension scheme and annual bonus 

• Equity, so that our team can share in the long-term success of Riverlane 

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays and enhanced family leave 

• A diverse work environment that brings together experts in many fields (including software and hardware development, quantum information theory, physics and maths) and over 20 different nationalities 

• A learning environment that encourages individual, team and company growth and learning, including a regular programme of learning events and an annual training and conference budget