Senior People Operations Manager
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Location: Cambridge, UK
Join Nu Quantum - Shaping the Future of Technology
Nu Quantum is at the forefront of quantum computing and advanced technology, driven by innovation, diversity, and a commitment to excellence. We’re creating an environment where brilliant minds from all backgrounds collaborate to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Founded to commercialise research generated over the last decade at the Cavendish Laboratory, Nu Quantum is on a mission to shape the future of quantum information systems.
We’re working on exciting technology that will improve the utility and accelerate the time-to-market of quantum computing systems. We integrate novel quantum photonic technology to form an efficient and scalable quantum networking infrastructure in partnership with world-leading companies and academic groups.
About the role
We are seeking a Senior People Operations Manager to play a critical role in evolving and strengthening Nu Quantum’s People function during a period of rapid growth. Our growth to date has been driven by the strength of our people and culture, and this role will help ensure we continue to scale successfully by building robust, effective people processes and frameworks that support our teams and leaders.
Reporting directly to the Director of People, this is a senior, autonomous role and ideal for someone with deep expertise in People Operations, employee relations, and scaling people processes in high-growth environments.
This role will act as a trusted point of escalation for employee relations, providing confident, legally compliant, and pragmatic solutions. They will also drive the design, implementation, and delivery of People programmes and processes, ensuring they are executed efficiently, consistently, and to a high standard, enabling the business to continue growing sustainably.
You will manage and partner closely with our People Generalist on compliance, policy, benefits administration, HR system integration, and operational initiatives, evolving the team’s capability as Nu Quantum scales.
What You'll be doing
People Operations & Delivery
- Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of People processes, policies, and systems to support a scaling organisation.
- Drive the delivery of specific People initiatives end-to-end, ensuring projects are completed efficiently and to a high standard without direct oversight.
- Oversee benefits administration, HR reporting, and operational compliance.
- Partner with Talent Acquisition on onboarding processes, HR systems integration, and workforce planning initiatives.
- Use people data and metrics to identify trends, inform decision-making, and support leaders in understanding organisational health and risks.
Employee Relations & Operational Leadership
- Act as a point of escalation for complex employee relations matters, including grievances, disciplinary actions, and performance management.
- Provide independent, confident guidance, applying UK employment law and best practice to resolve issues effectively.
- Ensure People practices are applied consistently, fairly, and in line with our company values.
Team Management & Capability Building
- Manage People team colleagues, developing capability and ensuring consistent, high-quality delivery.
- Embed a culture of operational excellence, coaching managers to effectively manage people matters.
Culture & Engagement
- Drive engagement and our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging initiatives by tracking metrics and implementing strategies to improve outcomes.
- Support organisational culture initiatives that align with company values.
Strategic Advisory
- Provide insight and advice to leadership on trends, risks, and opportunities related to people operations.
- Proactively identify improvements and implement solutions that enable the business to grow effectively.
Requirements
Essential skills and experience
- Proven experience in HR/People Operations in scaling or high-growth organisations.
- Strong operational HR expertise, including HR systems, benefits administration, compliance, and policy development.
- Experience handling complex employee relations cases, confident in providing independent advice.
- Strong understanding of UK employment law and HR best practices.
- Experience of line managing People Team colleagues.
- Demonstrated ability to drive the delivery of People initiatives end-to-end without close oversight.
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with credibility across all levels of the organisation.
- Familiarity with HR analytics tools and data-driven decision-making.
- Experience of setting up HRIS systems.
Desirable skills and experience
- Experience in deep-tech or scientific organisations.
- Experience leading HR change initiatives in small or scale-up teams.
- Exposure to global HR practices or international hiring.
Benefits
Why Work with Us?
At Nu Quantum, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where people of all identities, orientations, backgrounds, and experiences are empowered. We value diverse perspectives as a source of creativity and innovation and encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented and marginalised communities. Joining Nu Quantum means joining a team where you can grow professionally and be part of an inspiring mission to shape the future of technology.
Benefits
- Refreshments, including fruit and beverages, are available in the office.
- Flexible working options
- 28 days annual leave, inclusive of a 3-day company shutdown period + UK Bank Holidays
- Option to purchase up to 5 days holiday per year
- Access to the Cambridge Botanical Gardens
- On-site gym membership
- Cycle scheme
- Private Medical and Dental Cover (With Vitality and Bupa)
- Enhanced paid family leave policies
- Generous Employee Referral Scheme
- 1 month paid Sabbatical after 4 years of service
- Group Life Assurance (4 x salary)
