Operations Lead

About Refractal

Refractal is an AI security company building the infrastructure organisations need to defend against autonomous AI threats. 2026 has shown that generally capable intelligence is here. The challenge now is modernising security to stop AI-enabled threats, whether they come from internal agents going rogue or from attackers using AI to become more dangerous.

Refractal was founded on cybersecurity and AI expertise from MIT, Microsoft, NASA and the U.S. Navy. Our product lets organisations detect AI-enabled threats at low cost without sacrificing detection quality. We take a practical approach to AI risk, combining proven cybersecurity methods with frontier AI security research.

Today, we work with governments and organisations that can't afford to get security wrong. We're backed by leading deep-tech and cybersecurity investors and are growing the team to deliver on this mission.

The role

You'll own the operations that keep Refractal running as it grows across London, Podgorica and the United States. You'll be responsible for finance operations, people operations, legal and compliance administration, and the systems that connect them, so the founders and the team can focus on customers and product. It's a hands-on role for someone who likes building processes and then running them well.

What you'll do

• Run day-to-day finance operations with our accountants, including invoicing, supplier payments, expenses, payroll inputs, month-end close and the reporting the founders and board rely on.

• Own people operations from offer to first day: contracts, payroll and benefits setup, visa and relocation logistics, equipment and system access, and an onboarding plan that helps new joiners contribute quickly.

• Coordinate legal and compliance administration with our advisers, including contract workflow, company and statutory filings, insurance, and the evidence needed for security certifications and customer due diligence.

• Keep policies, payroll and suppliers consistent across our London, Podgorica and United States teams while meeting local requirements in each country.

• Select, set up and maintain the internal tools and suppliers the company depends on, with clear costs, access and ownership.

• Manage the office, travel and events, including logistics for customer visits, conferences and team gatherings.

Success in your first six months

• Finance, payroll and onboarding run on a predictable schedule, with clear owners and no surprises at month-end.

• New joiners in every location have their contract, equipment, access and first-week plan ready before they start.

• You've documented the core operating processes and taken routine administration off the founders, and colleagues know who owns what and where to find it.

About you: essential

• Experience running operations at a growing company, ideally an early-stage technology business, with ownership of several functions rather than one.

• Working knowledge of UK finance operations, payroll and employment administration, and the confidence to learn how they work in other countries.

• Strong organisation and attention to detail, with a record of keeping many workstreams moving without dropping commitments.

• Clear, concise writing and confident communication with colleagues, advisers, suppliers and candidates.

• Discretion and sound judgement when handling confidential financial, legal and personal information.

Nice to have

• Experience supporting a company with teams in more than one country, including visas and international payroll.

• Familiarity with security certifications such as Cyber Essentials Plus or ISO 27001, or with supplier onboarding for government and regulated customers.

• Experience with finance and HR platforms such as Xero, Deel or Rippling.

• An interest in cybersecurity, AI and the organisations that depend on secure technology.

Our values

Radical transparency. We believe the best work happens when everyone feels able to give and receive honest, constructive feedback.

Public service. We see AI security as a form of public service. Getting the AI transition right means putting the right infrastructure in place to manage the threats that come with it, and our work helps protect the institutions and services society depends on.

Fail fast. We test ideas early, seek feedback and learn quickly. We experiment rapidly and change course when something isn't working, without compromising on security.

Pragmatism, not dogmatism. We choose approaches based on how well they solve the problem. That means combining established cybersecurity methods with frontier AI research, questioning our assumptions, and changing our minds when the evidence changes.

Compensation and benefits

• Salary: £55,000–£100,000

• Competitive equity to share in Refractal's growth

• Pension contribution

• Private medical and dental cover

• Visa and relocation support