Executive Director, People & Talent

Executive Director, People & Talent (Future CPO) | London / Dubai / Singapore | $180,000 – $220,000We're working exclusively with a profitable, privately owned SaaS business entering its next significant phase of growth to find an Executive Director of People & Talent with a clear, defined pathway to Chief People Officer.

This is not a maintenance role. It's a build role.

The OpportunityThe business currently employs approximately 500 people across 15 countries. The mandate is to take that to 1,000+. To do that, they need someone who has been in that seat before. Someone who has professionalised, scaled, and transformed a People function inside a high-growth environment and who relishes the challenge of building something that outlasts them.

You'll report directly to the CEO and Chief of Staff, lead a global team of 15 HR professionals across EMEA and APAC, and have the authority and visibility to truly shape the organisation's future.

What You'll Be BuildingA scalable global People function fit for the next phase of growthFrameworks, structures, and operating models that don't exist yetA culture and engagement strategy across a genuinely international workforceLeadership development capability for a rapidly evolving executive teamWorld-class global HR across Internal HR, People Services, and Business ServicesWhat They're Looking ForFirst, let's be clear about what they're not looking for. If you're a process-heavy, corporate HR leader who thrives in a mature, structured environment, this probably isn't the right fit.

They want someone who is

High energy, commercial, and entrepreneurial, a modern People leader, not a traditional HR DirectorExperienced scaling a People function from 250–500 employees to 1,000+From a SaaS, Technology, or Tech-enabled Services backgroundA builder, not an inheritor. Someone who creates structures rather than maintaining themComfortable with ambiguity, comfortable challenging CEOs, and comfortable operating globallyDeeply experienced across EMEA and APAC marketsThe Package$180,000 – $220,000 base salary (paid in local currency)London (preferred), Dubai, or SingaporeDefined pathway to Chief People OfficerGlobal remit from day oneDirect access to the CEOThe chance to leave a genuine legacy in a business that's going placesIf you're a People leader who has built rather than inherited, who leads with energy rather than process, and who wants to be part of something genuinely exciting — I'd love to have a confidential conversation.

JGA are dedicated to delivering the best possible candidate experience. Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that we are not always able to respond to every individual applicant. If your application is shortlisted, a member of our team will be in touch. Thank you for your understanding.

JGA Recruitment Group Ltd ("We") are committed to equality of opportunity for all applications regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. We strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply. We are also committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. We are a specialist Payroll and HR recruitment agency and recruitment business as defined in the Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 (our business). These statements together with our privacy notices set out the basis on which any personal data we collect from you, or that you provide to us, will be processed by us.