We are looking for a high-impact HR professional on a 12-month fixed-term contract to serve as a trusted partner to the Chief People Officer, ensuring delivery of strategic initiatives and operational excellence across the HR function. This is a unique role that blends project leadership, governance development, and hands-on HR expertise particularly in employee relations, performance management, and talent reviews.
The ideal candidate will operate at the intersection of strategy and execution, aligning priorities, overseeing project progress, supporting functional areas like recruitment and providing continuity across all HR workstreams. You will also be responsible for establishing governance around key areas such as global mobility, helping the function and business become more scalable, consistent, and proactive.
Responsibilities
Strategic Program & Project Delivery
* Partner with the CPO to lead, coordinate, and track delivery of HR strategic initiatives and transformation efforts.
* Ensure cross-functional HR projects (e.g. policy harmonisation, people systems improvements, process redesigns) remain on track and aligned with business goals.
* Own timelines, project plans, communications, and reporting on behalf of the function.
Governance & Operational Structure
* Establish and implement governance frameworks across key HR topics, ensuring clarity, compliance, and repeatability.
* Develop controls, documentation, and escalation paths for employee processes (e.g. performance reviews, ER case handling, mobility).
* Act as escalation point for complex or high-risk ER cases, particularly within the UK and EU areas.
* Provide guidance to HRBPs and managers on risk mitigation, compliance, and early intervention strategies.
Performance & Talent Process Oversight
* Support the execution and continuous improvement of performance management processes across the business.
* Guide managers on effective goal setting, underperformance handling, and documentation.
* Lead or coordinate the 9-box talent review process, ensuring accurate insights and meaningful follow-up planning.
Functional & Ad Hoc HR Support
* Step in to provide additional support to functional HR areas such as recruitment coordination, onboarding planning, or people metrics.
* Support senior HR leadership with preparation for board meetings, people forums, and organisational reviews.
Qualifications
* Proven experience in HR, with a strong focus on project management, strategy execution, and operational discipline.
* Strong grasp of performance and talent review cycles, including 9-box methodology.
* Experience setting up governance frameworks and driving process consistency across complex or international organisations.
* Highly organised, adaptable, and confident working independently while collaborating with multiple stakeholders.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills; experience preparing materials for senior audiences.
* CIPD qualified or equivalentpreferred.
* Exposure to EU HR environmentsis a plus.
* Excellent communication skills.