People & Culture Director (Executive Head of HR)
The People & Culture Director (Executive Head of HR) is responsible for leading the people agenda in the UK Market, aligning global People & Culture frameworks with the business needs. Operating within a matrix structure, this role balances local regulatory and cultural requirements with regional and global priorities, ensuring an engaged, high‑performing, and inclusive workforce.
Responsibilities
* Global frameworks are translated effectively into the local market.
* Local culture, laws, and employee expectations are integrated into people strategies.
* The market leadership team is equipped with the leadership, talent, and culture required for business success.
* Act as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director and leadership team; shape and deliver the local people strategy aligned with business priorities to drive commercial outcomes.
* Lead workforce and succession planning, and build leadership capability to ensure a strong, sustainable pipeline of successors for critical roles.
* Champion company values, DE&I initiatives, and employee engagement programs to foster inclusion and alignment across the market.
* Support organizational effectiveness and lead transformation and change management initiatives, embedding agility and resilience.
* Ensure compliance with local labor laws and manage relationships with works councils, unions, and employee representatives.
* Oversee delivery of HR processes (recruitment, reward, performance, learning, etc.).
* Balance global direction with local execution; ensure market needs are understood and represented at regional/global level.
Expected Impact
* A leadership team aligned on people and culture priorities.
* Market people strategy directly enabling business growth and transformation.
* A resilient, engaged, and inclusive workforce.
* Clear succession readiness and leadership bench strength.
* Smooth execution of global initiatives, adapted to local realities.
Qualifications
* Extensive experience in a senior HR/People leadership role, ideally within a multinational and matrix structure.
* Strong expertise in talent management, organizational design, change leadership, and employee relations.
* Demonstrated ability to balance global frameworks with local requirements.
* Proven leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management skills.
* In‑depth knowledge and experience in UK employment law and employment relations, rewards & benefits, etc.
* Bachelor’s degree or Master’s (ideally HR).
* Chartered member of the Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) (Essential).
* Qualifications in Organizational design, psychology, employment law would be highly beneficial.
Key Competencies
* Strategic thinking & commercial acumen
* Leadership & influence
* Collaboration across matrix structures
* Strong interpersonal & communication skills
* Data‑driven decision‑making
Success Measures
* Alignment of people strategy to business goals and global People & Culture direction.
* Improved employee engagement, retention, and leadership pipeline.
* Effective execution of global HR initiatives adapted to local needs.
* Positive compliance and employee relations record.
Benefits
* 33 days annual leave (inc bank holidays) which increases with service.
* Free Life Assurance at 4 times basic annual salary.
* Enhanced Company Sick Pay.
* Salary sacrifice Pension scheme (3% employee contribution, 6% employer contribution).
* Private medical insurance (BUPA).
* Health care Cash Plan Scheme (BUPA).
* Annual healthy heart MOT's.
* Enhanced Family Friendly Leave.
* Free pizzas.
* Subsidised on‑site restaurant with hot and cold meals, a salad/deli bar, snack machines and microwaves and storage facilities for those who prefer to bring their own.
* Free tea, coffee and fresh fruit.
* Free on‑site parking.
* Free Wi‑Fi on site.
* Employee Referral Scheme £350 – once you know how great it is to work here, you’ll want to bring your friends and family!
* Regular Employee Forums ensuring all employees have a voice.
* Incentivised employee suggestion scheme.
* Employee loyalty scheme recognising length of service milestones at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 years and beyond!
* Cycle to Work Scheme.
* Free eye test vouchers.
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