HR Director – UK
London (Hybrid)
6 month contract
£506 per day Umbrella
A leading global technology and consulting organisation is seeking an experienced HR Director to support its largest group of business lines in the UK. Reporting to the UK HR Director, with a dotted line into the UK Chief Operating Officer, this is a pivotal leadership role within the UK HR function.
This contract opportunity offers the chance to shape and lead the people agenda at scale, delivering a workforce strategy that aligns with business goals, deepens client engagement, and builds long‑term organisational capability. The role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on delivery and requires significant experience operating within complex, matrixed environments.
The Role
As HR Director, you will act as a trusted strategic partner to senior business leaders and play a key role in shaping both country‑wide and business‑led initiatives. Responsibilities include:
* Acting as a strategic HR partner on major client engagements, bids, and business transitions
* Coaching and influencing senior leaders, embedding consistent talent and leadership standards
* Leading through complex employee relations and industrial landscapes
* Championing digital HR tools, automation, and AI to improve service delivery and decision‑making
* Driving workforce planning and succession for critical roles across large employee populations
* Leading culture, engagement, and DEI initiatives across hybrid and distributed teams
* Using data and people analytics to inform decisions and demonstrate HR impact
* Representing the UK HR function in relevant external and industry forums
Skills & Experience
You will bring strong strategic capability alongside an execution‑focused mindset, including:
* Significant experience in a senior HR leadership role within a complex, matrixed organisation, ideally within IT services, consulting, or professional services
* Proven ability to influence, coach, and challenge senior leaders with confidence and credibility
* A strong track record in organisational change, workforce transformation, and employee relations
* Deep expertise in talent management, succession planning, engagement, and culture‑building
* Experience supporting employee populations of 2,000+, with a focus on scalability and business impact
* High levels of integrity, discretion, and sound commercial judgement
* Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to link people strategy to business performance, cost drivers, and client outcomes
* Experience leading HR transformation initiatives, including operating model redesign, digital enablement, and capability uplift
* Skilled in leveraging people analytics and workforce data for insight‑driven decision‑making
* Experience overseeing HR governance, compliance, and risk across diverse business units
Pre‑Employment Checks
If offered the role, you will be required to complete pre‑employment checks including identity, nationality or immigration status, employment history covering the last three continuous years, and an unspent criminal record check (Disclosure and Barring Service).