Director of People Operations

Canonical is a fast moving, international software company that delivers Ubuntu, an operating system for devices, desktops and cloud. Ubuntu underpins innovation from startups to giants, and Canonical shapes that platform and its possibilities for the global market.

Role Summary

Canonical is a small but global company that works in a largely distributed fashion, making us a unique window into the world of 21st century digital businesses. We require people operations that are global in thinking while lean in execution – we have employees and contractors in more than 40 countries despite employing fewer than 1,000 people. Our operations depend on the precise application of policy and process as well as depth of compliance expertise, as an efficient and friendly, real-time service.

You will lead a distributed team that covers EMEA, the Americas and Asia, with full accountability for HR functions at the company and the development of the team. The role requires you to have a strong understanding and operational experience of HR process and policy on a global scale, a complex challenge that requires depth of knowledge and effective decision-making at speed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver precise, compliant people operations in all Canonical markets
• Support company decisions with expertise in employment law, policies and practices
• Maintain company people policies and provide timely, accurate information to employees
• Deliver global people processes including employee survey, compensation review, onboarding, probation reviews, performance evaluations, performance improvement plans and exit interviews
• Manage the HRIS to ensure accurate employee records and deliver timely data and insights
• Manage benefits and (with Finance) process timely, accurate monthly payroll
• Manage employee relations issues to mitigate legal and reputational risks, including advising the business on proposed change programs
• Lead a globally dispersed team of HR professionals and specialists
• Deliver friendly, responsive service to manager and team member queries
• Speak at public events, articulating Canonical’s people practices

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Bachelor’s degree in business management or human resources with strong academic standing, CIPD/SHRM qualified (or equivalent)
• Deep knowledge and practical application of worldwide HR practices and employment laws
• Building strong working relationships in a diverse, remote working environment
• Metrics-driven process and organisational improvement
• Strong alignment with our culture and values, setting exceptionally high standards in a fast-paced, detail-oriented, hands-on environment
• Experience in the technology sector (essential)