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.