Jess is our People Change & Operations Manager based in the London office, responsible for developing Vortexa’s Learning and Development initiatives and supporting the People Team’s wider projects, on subjects such as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Prior to joining Vortexa, Jess worked as a Senior People Operations Manager at the Digital Marketing Agency, Brainlabs. 

Fun fact: Jess has done two skydives (so far) and plans to do many more! 

We wanted to find out what inspired Jess to join Vortexa, what some of her biggest milestones have been to date and what day-to-day life really looks like for the People Change & Operations Manager?

What inspired you to join Vortexa?

I love the variety, responsibility and pace that comes with working at a high-growth start-up. Plus, from meeting people throughout my interview process, I knew it was a company culture I wanted to be a part of!

”…Be prepared to get stuck in. You’ll be given responsibility from the beginning and, with people joining the team almost every week, you won’t feel like a new joiner for long!”

What would you say is the most interesting aspect of your role?

Being trusted to run with ideas and projects, research solutions and implement initiatives that benefit Vortexa’s employees. Vortexa really values their employees and continually offers opportunities for learning and development – it’s great to be able to positively contribute to this.

What have been some significant milestone moments for you at Vortexa?

One project that stands out is the launch of our new 360 Development Review cycle. This initiative was driven by employee feedback itself and enabled individuals to gain a holistic view of their development. There’s a strong growth mindset at Vortexa, and it was great to see that people were so invested in the process and keen to help each other develop.

What does day-to-day life look like for you as People Change & Operations Manager? 

The majority of my work is juggling long term projects, so I try to give myself some focus time each day to keep these moving forward. I also spend my time collaborating with individuals on ad hoc requests and/or feedback, as well as researching trends to understand what more the People Team can be doing to support employees and maintain best practices.

”…I love the variety, responsibility and pace that comes with working at a high-growth start-up.”

What key qualities make a People Change & Operations Manager successful?

Being open-minded to ideas, solutions-focused and adaptable. Things change fast at Vortexa!

How would you describe the culture at Vortexa?

The company culture is hugely collaborative and motivating – you’re really compelled to work hard. For me, it strikes the perfect balance of being supportive, whilst being trusted to have ownership over your own work.

What advice would you give people hoping to join Vortexa! 

Be prepared to get stuck in. You’ll be given responsibility from the beginning and, with people joining the team almost every week, you won’t feel like a new joiner for long!

Describe your working life at Vortexa in three words! 

Varied, autonomous and rewarding.