Senior People Operations Partner

About the team At Q-CTRL, our world-class workforce is the key to our success, and the People team is a global enabler focused on unblocking and unleashing growth. We approach the People function differently - we’re an operationally focused, commercially minded team that turns people strategy into operational firepower, helping the business move faster and smarter. Partnering across all teams and levels, we make work simpler and scale the company just ahead of our rapid growth. About the roleThis 12 month fixed term parental leave cover will help support our growing team. You’ll report to the Interim People Operations Manager, also based in Los Angeles, and work alongside an additional People Partner and newly created People Operations Coordinator role, both based in Sydney. You’ll be the strategic People Partner for your assigned client group, accountable for making sure team structure, practices, and culture support Q-CTRL’s goals. As a scaling business, the role also carries hands-on operational ownership for your client group and for our locations in Germany, the UK, and the United States. You’ll partner with exceptional technical teams across multiple countries, with the breadth to work on everything from workforce planning and organizational change to employee relations and People operations. It’s a role where experience and judgment make a real difference, and where you’ll have the room to use both. We’re also building AI and automation into how the People team works, and you’ll help shape where that goes next. What you'll be doing: Lead workforce planning, talent management, and succession for your client group, aligning role design with business needs and reducing key person dependencies. Partner with leaders through organizational change, shaping both the approach and the communication so it lands well with employees. Use People data to spot issues early, diagnose root causes, and build solutions that hold up as priorities shift. Be actively involved in managing staff performance, including expertly navigating performance management cases of all levels of complexity for your client group. Build manager capability so leaders become a force multiplier for a consistent, positive employee experience. Act as the ‘on the ground’ People team liaison for your assigned locations, as well as be the local point of contact for any People related activities that happen in person (e.g. a physical presence onboarding of new starters, offboarding, training for cyclical activities etc). This may be outside of your client group. Ideally you'll have: 8+ years of progressive People experience (this is purely a rough guide to give you an understanding of the seniority we are aiming for). Deep experience with complex performance management and employee relations, and strong working knowledge of US federal and California employment law. Heavy commercial focus and a proven track record of developing and implementing People programs that support business objectives. Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, and the ability to influence across all levels. Sound judgment in balancing what employees want with what the business needs. A systems-first mindset and hands-on curiosity about AI and automation, with experience using HR technology to simplify operations at scale. It would be fantastic if you have these skills/experience but not essential: Startup or scaleup experience, ideally in technology. Industry experience isn’t essential, but an understanding of how scaling businesses work will help you hit the ground running. Prior experience working with staff in multiple countries outside the US. Experience with UK and/or German labor laws would be an advantage. We take a multidisciplinary approach to quantum computing research, bringing together experts from diverse fields. We particularly value versatile and self-motivated problem solvers. If you are passionate about making quantum computers useful, we strongly encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above. Salary The targeted base salary range for this position is between $140,000 - $210,000 and will ultimately be determined by specific job-related skills, experience, level, location and other contributing factors. This role will be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus and the opportunity to equity and other forms of compensation outside of the targeted base salary range. Should you have any questions related to the compensation package, please speak directly with the Talent Acquisition representative. About Q-CTRL Q-CTRL is the global leader in AI-powered quantum control infrastructure software. We build the tools that make quantum technology useful, solving the hardest challenges in quantum computing and quantum sensing to deliver real-world impact. Founded in 2017, we operate globally with offices in Sydney, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Huntsville, Berlin, and Oxford. Our teams bring together technical and multi-disciplinary expertise across the product lifecycle, and we’re hiring talent to help scale every part of the business. We work quickly to turn cutting-edge science into deployable technology. In 2024 we raised US$113 million in Series B funding, the largest aggregate investment for a quantum software company. Six months later we delivered the first commercial quantum advantage with Ironstone Opal, our field-validated quantum navigation solution for defense and industry. At Q-CTRL, we prioritize outcomes over hours. We offer flexibility, equity potential, and competitive benefits that reflect our high-performance culture. If you’re ready to help shape the future of quantum, we’d love to hear from you! Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Please be advised that our communications will only come from the @q-ctrl.com domain. All our active job postings are available on our company website. To recruitment agencies, we do not accept unsolicited branded profiles and are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.