Head of People Operations

About Kooth Digital Health

Kooth is a dynamic and quickly expanding organization focused on revolutionizing access to digital mental health care for young people aged 10-25 in the UK and the US. Publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange, Kooth aims to provide welcoming and personalized mental health support that enhances resilience and promotes wellbeing. The UK arm collaborates with the NHS and is the largest provider of digital mental health services for youth, with over one million hours of professional guidance delivered. In the US, Kooth operates as Soluna, the first statewide digital behavioral health service in California, targeting young people aged 13-25 to provide prompt access to coaching, peer support, and self-help resources.

Role Overview

The Head of People Operations will report to the Vice President of People & IT (US) and lead a team of three direct reports. This leadership role involves designing and executing effective People Operations strategies across the UK and US, ensuring compliant and efficient HR processes that support business growth and deliver seamless employee experiences. The position requires management of HR systems, payroll, benefits, compliance, health and safety, and people analytics.

Key Responsibilities

• Craft and implement People Operations strategy aligned with organizational goals and employee experience across locations.
• Define priorities, operating models, and service standards for People Operations.
• Act as the HRIS expert managing systems such as Rippling, enhancing user adoption through automation, integration, and simplification of workflows.
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and budgets for HR systems and related service providers.
• Ensure accurate and compliant payroll delivery across the UK and US, coordinating with third-party providers and handling tax documentation.
• Oversee benefits programs, including plan design, broker/vendor management, renewals, and employee communications.
• Partner with Finance to manage variable compensation plans.
• Lead and develop a high-performing People Operations team fostering accountability, collaboration, and ongoing improvement.
• Maintain rigorous people data governance and compliance with UK and US employment laws, GDPR, and privacy standards.
• Provide insightful people analytics and reporting to inform business decisions and workforce planning.
• Manage health and safety initiatives and compliance, promoting a positive safety culture and investigating incidents.

Candidate Profile

• Demonstrated leadership in People Operations with success in building and guiding effective teams.
• Experience supporting employees and leaders across both UK and US, managing cross-timezone collaboration.
• Expertise in HRIS management, systems implementation, automation, and continuous process refinement.
• Solid understanding of employment legislation, regulatory compliance, data governance, and payroll control in both countries.
• Proven ability to leverage automation and AI to streamline HR processes.
• Strong data analysis skills covering workforce metrics such as turnover, absence, performance, and engagement.
• Hands-on experience designing and managing employee benefits and reward schemes based on market insights.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities to deliver clear practical guidance.
• Competence in stakeholder engagement, project management, strategic prioritization, and adaptability.
• Mandatory CIPD or SHRM accreditation; experience with Rippling highly preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

The role offers a base salary up to 30000 annually dependent on experience and qualifications. Additional benefits include:

• 28 days annual leave plus public holidays
• Annual professional development programs tailored to career growth
• Pension contributions and company share options
• Comprehensive health insurance and Employee Assistance Programme providing mental health and GP support 24/7
• Life insurance covering up to four times the annual salary
• Remote working flexibility
• Cycle to Work Scheme and income protection provisions

Inclusion and Accessibility

Kooth is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the workplace. They provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities to ensure equitable participation in recruitment and employment processes. The recruitment practices enforce robust safeguarding checks, including DBS clearance, reflecting a commitment to the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.