Global Head of People & Culture
ZURU· Auckland, New Zealand·
About ZURU
ZURU is on a mission to disrupt across industries, challenge the status quo and catalyst change through radical innovation and automation advances. This is in play in different pillars of the company: ZURU Toys are re-imagining what it means to play; ZURU Tech is shaping a better future by leading the next building revolution; ZURU Edge is pioneering new generation FMCG brands to better serve modern consumers.
Founded in 2003 by EY Entrepreneur of the Year and World Entrepreneur Hall of Fame brothers Nick and Mat Mowbray, ZURU has quickly grown to a team of over 5000 direct and indirect members across more than 30 international locations.
One of the largest toy companies in the world, globally recognized and award-winning brands include Bunch O Balloons, Mini Brands, XSHOT, Rainbocorns and Smashers. Our global FMCG brands include MONDAY Haircare, Rascals, NOOD, BONKERS, Gumi Yum Surprise, and more!
For more information, visit www.zuru.com
Role Purpose:
ZURU is one of the fastest growing consumer goods companies in the world: with revenue of over US$3bn, our team members sit across New Zealand, Australia, the Americas, Europe, India and China. International and China have each grown their own way, at their own speed, with their own standards, and that got us here. Getting us to the next level means bringing them together as one team.
The Global Head of People & Culture owns bringing International and China together under one global strategy, one set of standards, and one plan for how we hire, develop, reward and retain the best people on the planet, across every part of our P&C function: Organizational Development, Training, HR Business Partnering, HR Systems, Compensation and Benefits, our Shared Service Centre, and Talent Acquisition. This is a genuine greenfield opportunity. There is no existing global playbook to inherit. You are creating it, with real scope to design, influence and leave your mark on how ZURU's people function works for years to come.
Core Roles and Responsibilities:
Retain and amplify ZURU’s entrepreneurial approach as the business grows and scales at pace, protecting the speed, ownership and bias-to-action that got us here even as we bring structure and consistency to how we operate globally.
Hold end-to-end accountability for every P&C Centre of Excellence (COE) globally: Organizational Development, Training, HR Business Partnering, HR Systems, Compensation and Benefits, our Shared Service Centre, and Talent Acquisition, so each one works to a single, high-performing global standard/set of KPIs.
Own the global People & Culture strategy across International and China, replacing two disconnected regional models with one consistent standard.
Lead the shift of OD and Talent Acquisition out of being China-only Centers of Excellence today: strategy and leadership move to Auckland, delivery stays in China.
Lead and develop the P&C team, including the International P&C Director, China P&C Director, global Talent Acquisition Director and global OD Director. Give each the direction and support to execute at pace.
Be the escalation point for the highest-risk people issues, anything with real legal or reputational exposure, above what Directors handle day to day.
Translate ZURU's growth plans into workforce and capability plans that look proactively ahead.
Ensure the P&C team build out the frameworks ZURU has never had: a competency framework, career pathways, job levelling and architecture, and pay bands, in partnership with the OD Director.
Push every framework, process and system this function builds toward mass, scalable adoption rather than a bespoke fix for one team or one moment.
Set the framework for how new initiatives launch globally: pilot before we scale.
Balance strategy with execution. ZURU runs lean, and this role gets hands-on where needed, particularly while the team is being built out.
Make sure AI and automation adoption is consistent and ambitious across the entire P&C team, ensuring cross-pollination.
Build capability across the wider P&C team to match ZURU’s growth, making sure each Director builds a team underneath them that can deliver at scale.
Hire the experts ZURU doesn’t have today. Use external networks and pipelines to hire and continue to hire exceptional P&C talent into the business globally.
Skills and Experience Required:
Proven experience leading a People & Culture or HR function across multiple countries and cultures, at meaningful scale (multiple thousands of team members).
Experience working with or within Chinese or Greater China markets is highly valued. Time spent in the UK, Hong Kong, or with Chinese-headquartered businesses will translate well here.
A track record of building HR infrastructure from the ground up, not just running what already exists: frameworks, systems, structure.
The judgement to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution in a fast-moving, founder-led environment.
Genuine comfort operating without a playbook. We want someone who brings what has worked elsewhere but is excited to build something that fits ZURU, not import a corporate model wholesale.
Direct, candid communication style and the credibility to influence senior leaders.
Genuinely willing and able to travel to China every six to eight weeks, plus periodic travel across International markets.
Someone who sees possibility where others see complexity, and thrives in the space between strategy and execution.
You build strong relationships and credibility quickly, and are energized by growth and change.
LIFE@ZURU
ZURU is on a quest to reimagine tomorrow. Founded in 2003, ZURU Group has rapidly grown and now spans three core divisions—ZURU Toys, ZURU Edge (consumer goods) and ZURU Tech (construction).
At ZURU, we have cultivated a high-performing culture that encourages excellence. Our team works towards ambitious goals, learning, performing, and improving together, all while having fun. We empower talented individuals to do their best work every day.
At ZURU, you get out what you put in. You are responsible for driving your own career and we provide the platform to achieve it. As ZURU is on such a fast growth trajectory, there are opportunities here that you won’t find anywhere else.
Get to know us a little better by checking out LIFE@ZURU on Instagram or www.zuru.com
WHAT WE OFFER
🌱 Culture for Growth
🧘 Health Benefits
🌎 Global Opportunities
💡 Surrounded by an A Player Team
💰 Competitive Remuneration
🍓 Lots of fresh fruit, coffee, Pals fridge and more
ZURU – Reimagining tomorrow 🚀
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