Location: West London (4 days on-site, 1 day flexibility)Salary: c. £100,000 - £110,000 base + car allowance + bonusSector: Retail, leisure, hospitality or quick service restaurant (QSR) environments
We are partnering with a fast-paced, multi-site leisure business to appoint a Head of HR for the UK & Ireland.
This is a senior HR leadership role, sitting on the UKI senior leadership team and partnering directly with the General Manager and senior functional leaders.
While operational in nature, this is not a purely transactional role. It requires a credible, commercially minded HR leader with the gravitas to influence at senior level, shape practical people plans, and lead HR across a complex, multi-site environment.
The role
Reporting to the GM, you will act as the senior HR lead for the UK & Ireland, responsible for both head office and a large operational estate.
You will:
Partner directly with the GM, Ops Director and wider senior leadership team
Act as a trusted advisor and sounding board at senior level
Lead and develop a small HR team, including HR Business Partners and coordination support
Shape and deliver forward-looking people plans aligned to business priorities
Drive improvements in leadership capability and line manager effectiveness
Oversee complex ER, restructures, site closures, TUPE and organisational change
Maintain strong HR governance, ensuring compliance and consistency across the business
Work closely with Group HR to align with wider frameworks, policies and systems
Use data and insight to identify trends and proactively address business challenges
This is a role that requires someone who can operate at pace, influence senior stakeholders, and balance hands-on delivery with strategic thinking.
The person
We are looking for a credible, senior HR leader who is comfortable operating at leadership level, while remaining close to the detail.
You will bring:
Proven experience operating at Head of HR level, or equivalent senior HR leadership role within a multi-site environment
A background in multi-site, customer-facing businesses (e.g. retail, leisure, hospitality or quick service restaurant (QSR) environments)
The ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders with confidence and credibility
Strong experience of organisational change, restructures and complex ER
Experience creating and delivering practical, commercially focused people plans
Experience leading and developing HR teams in lean environments
A pragmatic, hands-on approach with strong business acumen
High levels of resilience, sound judgement and personal credibility
You will be:
Confident and assertive, with low ego and a collaborative style
Comfortable navigating strong personalities and complex stakeholder dynamics
A team player who can operate as a true partner to senior leadership
Equally comfortable thinking ahead and getting into the detail when required
Why this role
This is a high-impact HR leadership role in a business undergoing ongoing operational and organisational change.
You will play a key role in:
Supporting and influencing the UKI leadership team
Improving leadership capability across the business
Embedding effective people practices in a fast-moving environment
Leading and developing a capable HR team within a lean structure
This role offers genuine visibility, influence and impact, with direct access to senior leadership and the opportunity to shape how HR supports the business going forward.