The posting
Head – Human Resources
## Company Overview Stirrup is a creative and design-led services firm currently undergoing a structured transformation from a founder-led organization into a systemized and process-oriented company. With a team size of approximately 130 employees, Stirrup operates in a highly creative and fast-paced environment, focusing on design, development, and content. The organization's immediate goals include stabilizing operations, strengthening internal systems, and scaling talent in alignment with aggressive revenue targets.
## Job Summary The Head of Human Resources will be a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for anchoring and scaling all HR functions. This senior HR leader will partner with the CEO and the leadership team to institutionalize a performance- and process-driven culture while building and leading the HR team to support the firm’s growth roadmap.
## Responsibilities - Talent Acquisition - Lead recruitment operations with urgency and agility, collaborating with search partners and agencies. - Serve as the bridge between hiring agencies and the CEO, ensuring precise screening and alignment with business needs. - Personally oversee the hiring for niche and mid-to-senior level roles, including Content Heads, Creative Leads, and Project Managers. - Address early-stage attrition (0–6 months) through enhanced expectation setting, onboarding, and role clarity.
- HR Systems & Processes
- Review, refresh, and institutionalize HR policies and processes, including recruitment, performance, learning and development (L&D), and grievance handling.
- Establish Key Result Areas (KRAs), Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and performance review cycles.
- Stabilize recruitment and post-recruitment processes to minimize churn and enhance candidate experience.
- Launch and monitor Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) implementation frameworks for key personnel.
- Culture & Organizational Design
- Navigate the informal, creative, and founder-led culture with empathy while enabling structured HR practices.
- Create mechanisms to improve retention, engagement, and career clarity for early joiners.
- Collaborate closely with teams to identify drivers of early attrition and address root causes.
- Balance creativity with delivery-driven rigor during high-demand business cycles (e.g., April–August).
- Team Building
- Build a lean yet capable HR team, which may include one or two support roles.
- Be hands-on and actively participate in HR functions during the initial months until processes are stabilized.
- Create scalable frameworks for future HR team expansion aligned with organizational growth.
## Qualifications - Experience: 12–18 years of HR leadership experience. - Background: Preferably from high-growth, promoter-led organizations or hybrid environments (startups combined with established organizations). - Industries: Open to various industries, with a preference for experience in creative, technology, startup, consulting, or financial services sectors. - Skills: - Strong understanding of HR operations, talent acquisition, and performance management systems. - Ability to manage change in a transforming organizational landscape. - Excellent stakeholder management skills coupled with a strong focus on execution. - A hands-on and strategic mindset capable of building while running operations.
## Preferred Skills - High emotional intelligence and the ability to work effectively with creative teams and founders. - Resilience in navigating ambiguity and high-growth expectations. - Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
## Experience A minimum of 12–18 years of relevant HR leadership experience is required, particularly in high-growth or promoter-driven organizations.
## Environment The position is based in Mumbai and is anticipated to operate in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment. The role will involve direct interaction with the CEO and the leadership team, allowing for a high degree of involvement in shaping HR strategies and initiatives.
## Salary Compensation is flexible based on experience and fit, to be finalized after discussions and assessments.
## Growth Opportunities The Head of HR will have the opportunity to build and influence the HR function from the ground up, creating a significant impact as the organization scales and transforms.
## Benefits - Specific benefits have not been provided; however, candidates can expect competitive offerings typical of high-growth organizations in India.
