Head of People Business Partnering & Operations

Overview

As Head of People, you will lead the People Business Partnering and Operations function to deliver an integrated service that supports growth and transformation. You will work with senior leaders to use people insight for strategic decisions and ensure a credible, solution‑focused advisory and operation. Your leadership will drive effective ER management, organisational change, and people operations including recruitment, payroll, onboarding, and systems. This role offers a chance to shape culture and design in a complex, regulated environment.

Pay / Benefits

• 30 days’ annual leave
• 14.5% employer pension contribution
• gym discounts
• cycle-to-work
• EV schemes
• university closure days over Christmas

Responsibilities

• Lead the People Business Partnering and Operations function to deliver integrated services
• Act as escalation point for complex ER, appeals, restructures and organisational change with pragmatic, legally sound guidance
• Oversee recruitment, resourcing, payroll, onboarding, and people systems with data-driven workforce planning
• Use workforce data and insights to inform capability, succession, and future design
• Drive continuous improvement and use technology and self-service to enhance service delivery
• Partner with senior leaders to shape organisational design and foster an inclusive, high-performing culture

Key requirements

• Significant senior HR generalist experience in a complex/regulated environment
• Strong employment law knowledge and experience of ER, change and restructures
• Leadership experience with a coaching style and ability to inspire accountability
• Experience using people data to drive insight and action
• Credible with senior stakeholders and collaborative
• UKVI/sponsorship experience is highly desirable
• Level 7 CIPD qualified (or equivalent) and Chartered CIPD status (MCIPD)

• collaborative
• curious
• pragmatic
• employment law
• ER and organisational change
• workforce planning

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