Join our team at Keolis Amey Metrolink (KAM), the largest light rail network in the UK!
The Head of People is a pivotal leadership role at the heart of our organisation, playing a critical part in delivering our people strategy: Attract, Develop, Retain. This is a role with real breadth and influence, where no two days are the same. You’ll shape and lead people initiatives that make a meaningful difference to our colleagues, ensuring our workforce is engaged, supported and equipped to deliver for the future.
Working closely with our Executive and Senior Leadership teams, you’ll act as a trusted advisor, helping to align our people agenda with organisational priorities. You’ll also build and sustain strong, constructive relationships with our Trade Union partner Unite, championing effective partnership working and positive employee relations. At the same time, you will lead the development of an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued, respected and able to perform at their best.
We have a bold ambition: to be the leader in people practice across the transport sector. As Head of People, you’ll be at the forefront of turning this ambition into reality, driving innovation, setting high standards and ensuring our people strategy not only supports the organisation today, but positions us for long-term success.
Key accountabilities will include:
* Act as a highly visible and influential leader, building strong, trusted relationships across all levels of the organisation, including frontline teams, senior leaders and Executives.
* Lead collective bargaining, negotiations and people-related change in partnership with our recognised trade union Unite, supporting the People Director in delivering an effective Industrial Relations strategy rooted in collaboration, transparency and positive employee relations.
* Work in close partnership with People Heads of Department to design and deliver a cohesive people strategy covering attraction, engagement, development, reward and benefits, wellbeing and inclusion.
* Play a central role in shaping and embedding our inclusivity strategy, Include Me, alongside our Wellbeing strategy, ensuring both are lived experiences rather than standalone initiatives.
* Partner with senior leaders to improve operational efficiency, reducing overtime and absenteeism, managing people-related risk and supporting initiatives that improve performance and control costs.
* Provide expert leadership on employment legislation and employee relations, managing complex casework, implementing legislative change and ensuring policies and practices are legally compliant and reflect best practice.
* Champion continuous improvement and innovation, challenging how things are done, encouraging new ways of working and driving meaningful, people-led change.
* Use people data and insight to evaluate performance, inform decision-making and continuously improve outcomes across all people activities.
* Lead, coach and develop a high-performing people team, fostering a culture of accountability, empowerment and professional growth while delivering against business objectives.
What you’ll bring:
* CIPD Level 5 (minimum) or equivalent demonstrable HR leadership experience.
* Extensive experience of trade union partnership working, including collective bargaining and negotiation.
* Strong people management experience, with a proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.
* Sound employment law knowledge, with experience managing complex employee relations and developing compliant policies.
* A broad generalist HR background, combined with strong operational business experience.
* Proven ability to influence and advise credibly at all levels, including Executive and Senior Leadership teams.
* Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to adapt style to different audiences.
* Confidence to challenge existing ways of working, driving innovation and continuous improvement.
* A positive, authentic leadership style, acting as a role model for inclusive behaviours.
* Results-driven and resilient, with strong change management capability and a data-led approach to decision-making.
The closing date for applications: 19 January 2026
Depending on the level of applications for this role we may close the advert earlier, therefore we encourage you to submit your application early.
What we will offer you:
* Salary is up to £75,000 per annum, depending on experience
* Permanent, working full time 37.5 hrs per week.
* Free Tram Travel for all our colleagues, plus a sponsored pass for an immediate family member.
* 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays
* Access to Amazing Discounts at major retailers including Asda, Currys PC World, John Lewis and many more.
* Family Friendly Policies including enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
* Wellbeing Support including a free counselling, health checks and Employee Assistance Programme.
* Supporting your development focusing on career pathways and professional fees covered if required for role.
Our Commitment to you:
At KAM, we celebrate the diversity of our customers, communities, and colleagues, and strive for a workforce which is equitable, inclusive and representative of the communities we serve and we strongly encourage applicants of all genders, ages, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, and sexual orientation to apply. We look forward to receiving your application.
We live our values of “We Care, We Commit, We Imagine” through our behaviours and we strongly believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation and create an environment where individuals can imagine that anything is possible. We care about our people, and we fully commit to creating an inclusive environment where our people feel valued, respected and empowered to thrive.
We recognise the importance of flexibility in the workplace and where possible, we will do our best to consider alternative working patterns or flexible arrangements to help you balance work and life in a way that works for you and the business. If you’d like to discuss before applying, please feel free to contact our recruitment team.
To ensure you are given the best opportunity to succeed in the recruitment process, please let us know if you will require any support or reasonable adjustments. You can contact our team here .
What we will need to check:
If you are successful, we will need to complete several pre-employment checks prior to you starting. These include.
* Proof of address.
* Evidence of right to work in the UK.
* References from previous employment or studies from the last 3 years
* Pre-employment medical (level subject to role).
* Criminal Records self-declaration check, in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974).