Head of People

B2B TravelTech | Investor-backed, high-growth environment

Málaga (on-site)

SMYT Executive Search is supporting a B2B TravelTech company at a key moment of growth, scale and professionalization, following the entry of investors.

The company operates in a demanding, performance-driven environment, with increasing organizational complexity and direct exposure to senior leadership and investors. This role offers the opportunity to own and lead the HR function end to end, with real accountability and visible impact.

This is a hands-on leadership role. It is not corporate HR and not a purely strategic position.

The role

As Head of HR, you will take full ownership of the HR function, ensuring structure, execution and alignment with business and investor priorities.

You will work closely with the CEO, CFO and senior leadership, supporting growth, organizational change and integration processes, while providing clear, data-driven people reporting to leadership and investors.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the HR function end to end, with full ownership and accountability.
• Ensure strong execution across HR operations, employee relations and compliance.
• Support organizational growth, restructurings and integration processes from a people perspective.
• Design and implement compensation structures, salary bands and career frameworks.
• Own HR reporting, workforce metrics and people-related KPIs.
• Prepare and present people-related reporting to senior leadership and investor stakeholders.
• Act as the main HR counterpart for senior management and relevant external stakeholders.
• Identify people-related risks early and support business decisions with data and sound judgment.

Minimum requirements

• 5–6 years of professional experience in Human Resources, with at least 2–3 years leading the HR function or a team.
• Proven experience leading HR in fast-growing, evolving or transformation environments.
• Prior experience in investor-backed companies or scale-up contexts.
• Hands-on experience supporting organizational change, restructurings or post-acquisition integrations (PMI).
• Proven experience preparing people-related reporting and KPIs for senior leadership and investors.
• Strong execution capability across HR operations, compensation and people reporting.
• Ability to take decisions autonomously, operate under pressure and manage ambiguity.
• Fluent English and Spanish, used confidently in a professional environment.
• Solid experience in Spain (mandatory).
• Willingness to work on-site in Málaga (this is not a remote role).
• Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or a related field.

Valuable but not essential

• Experience in TravelTech, B2B SaaS, hospitality or similar environments.
• International exposure beyond Spain, particularly Mexico and/or Colombia.

What to expect

• A role with real responsibility and visibility.
• Direct exposure to senior leadership and investors.
• A pragmatic, execution-focused environment.
• High autonomy and accountability.
• On-site role based in Málaga.

Confidential search managed by SMYT

Job Type: Full-time

Application Question(s):

• Are you currently based in Málaga or willing to work on-site in Málaga (this role is not remote)?
• Have you personally supported organizational change, restructuring or post-acquisition integration (PMI) from an HR role?
• Have you led the HR function or an HR team with end-to-end responsibility for at least 2 years?
• Have you prepared and presented people-related reporting or KPIs to senior leadership, boards or investors?
• What is the largest organization (approximate headcount) you have managed or supported in an HR leadership role?
• Please indicate your current total compensation range and your expected compensation range for this role.

Work Location: In person