About Bark

Bark is revolutionising the way people find professionals in over 1,000 unique categories. As the UK's largest and fastest-growing services marketplace, we're on a mission to make finding the right professional quick and easy. With a presence in nine countries and plans for accelerated transformation in our marketplace strategy, joining us at this genuinely exciting time will be a journey like no other.

Our cutting-edge technology ensures that you can always find the best professional for any job. With a talented team of over 250 dedicated individuals, we're committed to providing exceptional service and ensuring that our customers are satisfied every step of the way.

This is an exciting time to join our fast-paced and evolving business, we recently placed in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024, and previously were 64th in the Sunday Times 100 fastest growing private tech companies in 2023.

As a profitable scale-up, Bark is in a unique position to offer the best of both worlds; the excitement and agility of a start up combined with the financial security and backing of a renowned private equity firm, EMK Capital. You'll have ownership, agility and plenty of responsibility in a culture that is rewarding and collaborative in equal measure.

About the Role

We are entering an exciting phase of strategy transformation at Bark and require a strategically minded Head of HR who will have the opportunity to continue developing a best-in-class function. The Head of HR will have the scope and remit to not only manage an employee-centric HR service but also help shape the wider people strategy at Bark, working in close partnership with the Head of Talent.

Reporting to the HR Director, this role will directly manage the Global HR team, with 2/3 direct reports and interact with the wider leadership community within Bark. This is a real opportunity for an experienced HR professional to make a difference in the direction of our People agenda whilst balancing the financial and strategic needs of an evolving organisation entering a period of accelerated business and organisational change. As a result, you must be visibly passionate and excited about the impact you can make in this newly created role.

Bark aims to be an employer of choice so it’s imperative that our people strategy promotes a high-performing, rewarding culture that supports Bark’s business needs, long-term strategic goals and employer brand.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the global HR strategy, aligning with business objectives and fostering a strong, values-driven organisational culture across regions.

• Drive continuous improvement with a focus on employee engagement, welfare and productivity, empowering line managers and building leadership capability.

• Lead initiatives to transform and strengthen the company culture, ensuring values are consistently upheld.

• Design and implement diversity, equality, inclusion, and belonging strategies aligned with company values and business goals.

• Coach, mentor, and support senior and high-potential colleagues to identify strengths and address development needs.

• Build and maintain relationships with key talent to promote progression and retention.

• Lead Talent Reviews with leaders to ensure effective succession planning and proactive team development.

• Enable key stakeholders to access guidance and information for managing day-to-day HR issues.

• Standardise and oversee the global implementation of HR policies, processes, and programs, ensuring compliance with local employment laws.

• Partner with senior management to align HR initiatives with business goals, offering expertise in organisational development and change management.

• Provide guidance on employee relations matters, including dispute resolution and disciplinary actions.

• Oversee competitive and compliant global compensation and benefits programs

• Strengthening the People Team's capabilities and expertise to ensure best practices while consistently driving performance and upskilling team functions.

Required Skills and Experience

• Ability to challenge conventional approaches and build innovative HR strategies.

• Proven senior leadership experience in HR within a people and service-focused organisation.

• Expertise in strategic and operational delivery of performance management, organisational change, and culture development.

• Demonstrated success in implementing people-focused strategies to achieve business objectives.

• Significant experience guiding organisations through change, fostering a high-performance culture.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, global environment with a customer-centric mindset.

• Commitment to continuous learning in global HR regulations and best practices.

• Strong commercial acumen and use of metrics to drive performance.

• Proactive, agile, and integrity-driven leadership style.

• Creative problem-solving and innovative thinking.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

• Inspirational leadership that fosters collaboration.

Perks and Benefits

• Share options in a scaling PE backed company

• Contributory pension scheme with Royal London (matched contributions up to 5%)

• Flexible working policy with a central office in London

• Private health insurance with BUPA

• Personal annual L&D Budget for your own professional and personal developments Gympass membership for all employees with access to mental health courses and fitness classes

• Fully stocked kitchen and regular socials

• Access to a Financial advisor

• Cycle to work scheme

• Regular wellness weeks and employee engagement initiatives

• Being at the forefront of an industry with new and exciting problems to solve

Interview Process

• Screening Call with Talent Partner (30 mins)
• 1st Stage - Deep dive into experience with HR Director (30 mins)
• 2nd Stage - Task/Presentation with HR Director and Interim Head of HR (45/60 mins)
• 3rd Stage - Values interview with CPO (30 mins)

Diversity Statement

At Bark, we are a platform for people, revolutionising the way professionals and individuals connect since 2014. Our culture is defined by excitement, ambition, and a commitment to raising the bar. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) and are dedicated to embedding these principles into everything we do. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, and our focus is on hiring, retaining and developing a globally diverse workforce that is passionate about excelling our platform and supporting our customers succeed. Be part of our dynamic team, where bold ideas thrive, and create a future worth shouting about.