Head of People Experience (10-Month Fixed-Term Contract)

Scheduling isn't simply filling shifts. It's finding the sweet spot that enables businesses to grow and team members to enjoy the perfect work/life balance.

At Planday from Xero, we aim to use Agentic AI to build a future where managers can seamlessly free up invaluable time for their business and teams. We're not just building software: we're on a mission to make shift work more human, to change work/life balance from a luxury to a reality for all shift workers. We're using advanced technology to help humans reach their full potential. At work and in life.

Founded in 2004, Planday is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark and helps create perfect schedules for hundreds of thousands of users across the world.

How you’ll make an impact

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic People Experience Lead to cover a 10-month maternity leave. This role is integral to ensuring the smooth operation of our PX function, with a strong focus on execution and operational excellence rather than long-term strategic planning. Reporting to the CEO,  you will work closely with senior leaders and lead the People Experience (PX) team to implement and manage people programmes that support our business objectives. Our PX team is a T-shaped People team, no one is an admin, and we all have key specialisms.

What you’ll do

People Operations & Execution:

- Oversee and execute existing people programs, policies, and processes to ensure alignment with company objectives.

- Support leaders and employees by providing guidance on people-related matters, ensuring smooth day-to-day HR operations.

- Ensure effective implementation of talent initiatives, including recruitment, onboarding, and employee development programs.

- Drive the execution and refinement of performance management processes, ensuring alignment with company goals and promoting a culture of continuous feedback.

Talent & Performance Management:

- Facilitate performance review cycles and ensure effective talent processes that support employee growth and engagement.

- Assist in talent acquisition efforts by ensuring smooth and efficient hiring processes in collaboration with recruitment teams.

- Maintain and enhance onboarding and offboarding experiences to drive engagement and operational consistency.

Culture & Employee Experience:

- Foster a positive, inclusive workplace culture through the implementation of engagement initiatives.

- Support the delivery of well-being programs and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies.

- Act as a key advocate for our culture and values, ensuring they are embedded in our people programmes and initiatives.

Change Management & Workforce Planning:

- Support change initiatives by ensuring smooth communication and adoption across teams.

- Use data and insights to monitor employee engagement, measure program effectiveness, and inform leadership decisions.

- Provide input into workforce planning efforts to ensure we have the right talent in place to support business needs.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Management:

- Work closely with business leaders to support the execution of people-related initiatives.

- Partner with cross-functional teams, including Legal, Finance and internal Communications to ensure seamless collaboration and alignment.

- Ensure effective coordination between Planday and Xero, maintaining strong working relationships.

Employee Relations & Compliance:

- Support leaders in managing employee relations matters, ensuring fair and consistent resolution.

- Ensure compliance with HR policies and relevant labor laws across all locations.

- Act as an escalation point for HR-related queries and concerns.

• Demonstrated expertise in a People Lead role (managing Talent Attraction, HR Operations and Business Partnering), with responsibility for strategy and execution, specifically within high-growth SaaS or tech environments. 
• Demonstrated success in business partnering directly with the CEO and working closely with C-level stakeholders, offering strategic counsel and driving leadership alignment across the business.
• Track record of delivering operational excellence and implementing high-impact people initiatives in fast-paced, high-growth environments.
• Comprehensive knowledge of UK and Nordics employment law, with sensitivity to cultural nuances and best practices across various regions.
• Willingness to travel between Copenhagen and London as and when required. ​​
• Experience liaising with a parent company with the ability to collaborate with Centres of Excellence, working closely with teams you don't oversee (Remuneration, HR Systems).
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration across all organizational levels.
• High emotional intelligence and empathetic approach, focused on cultivating a positive and inclusive employee experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to effectively resolve complex people-related challenges.
• Ability to manage ambiguity effectively.
• Proficiency in HR Information Systems (HRIS), with Workday experience highly desirable, and the ability to leverage people analytics for data-driven decision-making.
• Exceptional organizational skills and the capacity to manage multiple priorities, ensuring timely and effective delivery of key people programs.
• Attention to detail and process oriented.
• Curiosity to keep learning and experimenting and a “People Experience as a Product” mindset.

• Playing a key role in building a high-performing and people-centric culture.
• Efficient and seamless execution of people processes, ensuring a strong employee experience.
• Strong engagement from leaders and employees in people programs.
• Timely and effective resolution of HR matters and employee concerns.
• Effective use of data and insights to support decision-making and process improvements.
• A well-supported and engaged team, ensuring continuity of people processes and operations during the maternity leave period.
• Compliance with HR policies and legal requirements across all locations.

• Benefits like pension and health insurance
• Flexible remote work
• Strong social culture with lots of team and company activities
• Meaningful work – everyone at Planday contributes to improving the lives of shift workers around the globe
• Healthy work-life balance and autonomous approach to work. We trust in you and your abilities

Finally, our offices are not just workplaces (although they are pretty nice and well-located, we have to say!). Plandayers are open and welcoming and at Planday, everyone has the freedom and support to show their true self at work.

At Planday, we firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are the cornerstones of innovation and a vibrant workplace culture, and we highly value the strength that diverse backgrounds offer.

As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to create an equitable experience for all our candidates throughout the process. Please let us know if you need reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process.

All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to any personal characteristics.