Job Description
Deputy Director, Head of HR Operations
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)Salary: £81,000 – £117,800Location: Milton Keynes, East Kilbride or London (hybrid working)
FCDO leads the UK’s work overseas, with more than 17,000 people across 180 countries. We operate in a fast‑changing global environment, and our people are central to delivering the UK’s international priorities.
We are transforming how we work to become more agile, digital and high performing. A key part of this is modernising our HR services so they are efficient, reliable and focused on the needs of our people.
As Deputy Director, Head of HR Operations, you will lead HR services across the full employee lifecycle—from recruitment and onboarding through to systems, data, learning, global mobility and casework. You will run a large, complex operation that must deliver consistent, high‑quality services while continuing to evolve.
This role sits on the HR senior leadership team. You will set direction, ensure services are well run and compliant, and drive improvements through automation, better use of data and a more user‑focused approach. You will work closely with senior leaders and digital teams to turn strategy into practical, effective delivery.
We are looking for a proven operational leader with experience of scale, complexity and transformation. You will have led large service functions or shared services, managed systems and data, and delivered change while maintaining performance. You will be confident influencing at senior level and building strong, high‑performing teams.
Above all, you will care about delivering excellent services that enable people to do their best work. If this sounds like you, please contact our advisors at GatenbySanderson for a confidential discussion: rosemary.baylis-west@gatenbysanderson.com or russell.brandon@gatenbysanderson.com.
Closing date: 17:00, Friday 12 June 2026