Position Overview
The People Director is a senior executive responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction across all people-related functions within a large facilities management company employing over 3,000 staff across England and Northern Ireland. Reporting directly to the Chief of Staff and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), this role ensures that the organization attracts, develops, and retains top talent while fostering a high-performance, inclusive, and values-driven culture.
Key Responsibilities
* Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement people strategies that align with the company’s business objectives and support long-term growth. Lead the integration of people initiatives across all departments
* Department Oversight: Directly manage and support the heads of Learning & Development (L&D), Recruitment, Social Value, Human Resources, and Apprenticeships, ensuring cohesive and effective delivery of all people services
* Organizational Culture: Champion a positive, inclusive, and high-performance culture, embedding company values and behaviours throughout the organization
* Talent Management: Oversee talent acquisition, development, and retention strategies, including succession planning and leadership development programs
* Performance Management: Implement and embed robust performance management processes, supporting continuous improvement and accountability at all levels
* Learning & Development: Ensure the provision of high-quality, relevant training and development opportunities for all staff, supporting career progression and skill enhancement
* Recruitment: Oversee the recruitment function to ensure the organization attracts and hires the best talent, with a focus on diversity, inclusion, and social value
* Social Value & Apprenticeships: Lead initiatives that enhance social value and support apprenticeship programs, contributing to the company’s positive impact on communities and workforce development
* Employee Relations & Wellbeing: Promote open communication, employee engagement, and wellbeing initiatives, ensuring a supportive and productive work environment
* Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure all people practices comply with relevant employment laws and regulations, managing HR-related risks and legal matters
* Budget Management: Oversee and manage the people function’s budget, ensuring cost-effective delivery of all initiatives
* Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with senior leadership, board members, and external partners to align people strategies with broader organizational goals
Qualifications and Experience
* Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.
* Experience: Extensive experience in a senior HR or people leadership role, preferably within the facilities management or related sector
* Leadership: Demonstrated experience managing heads of department and large, geographically dispersed teams
* Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with facilities management operations and the unique people challenges of the sector
Summary
The People Director is a pivotal role that combines strategic leadership with operational oversight, ensuring the organization’s people strategy supports business growth, operational excellence, and a positive workplace culture for over 3,000 employees across England and Northern Ireland