Description
Head of People & Culture
Oxford
Up to £85,000 + Benefits
4 Days On Site | 1 Day Home Working
A Rare Opportunity to Shape a Strategic People Function.
We're seeking a commercially minded, influential People leader to join a major UK business as the first dedicated Head of People & Culture for a significant regional division of the group. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you'll play a pivotal role in transforming the people agenda, leading through change and becoming a trusted advisor at the highest level of the business.
Part of a wider Group employing over 33,000 people across the UK, this Oxfordshire-based operation employs more than 1,200 colleagues across five businesses and is undergoing a significant period of transformation. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to build strategic people capability, shape organisational culture and lead complex industrial relations activity during a time of major change.
The Opportunity
Whilst the title suggests broad people leadership, the real focus of this appointment is to move the business from a historically transactional HR model towards a genuine strategic business partnering function.
As a key member of the leadership team, you will:
Act as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director and senior leadership team
Lead the people agenda across five operating businesses within Oxfordshire
Take ownership of union relationships, negotiations and consultation activity
Support significant organisational transformation and change programmes
Develop leadership capability across the business
Coach, mentor and elevate the existing People team
Drive a more strategic, commercially focused approach to people management
The wider Group employs approximately 33,000 people and is investing heavily in people transformation, including:
Workday implementation
Payroll and systems modernisation
Development of centres of excellence and shared services
Transformation of people support models
Organisational redesign and change initiatives
Greater consistency and standardisation across operating companies
This role offers significant visibility and influence both locally and across the wider Group.
What You'll Be Doing:
Strategic Leadership
Partnering with senior leaders to influence business decisions
Driving organisational effectiveness and leadership capability
Embedding a modern, business-focused people function
Supporting long-term workforce and talent strategies
Industrial Relations:
Leading relationships with recognised trade unions
Managing negotiations, consultations and complex employee relations matters
Building trust and credibility with key union stakeholders
Supporting business change programmes impacting employees and terms & conditions
Transformation & Change:
Leading people-related transformation initiatives
Supporting system and process implementation projects
Driving organisational change and cultural development
Ensuring employee engagement remains strong throughout periods of change
Key Background:
We're interested in experienced Strategic HR Business Partners and People leaders who have operated in complex, multi-site environments and are comfortable balancing strategic thinking with operational reality.
Essential Experience:
Senior HR leadership experience within a multi-site operational business
Strong industrial relations and employee relations expertise
Significant experience working with trade unions
Proven employment tribunal experience
Experience influencing at executive and leadership team level
Track record of leading organisational change and transformation
Experience developing and leading HR teams
Ideal industry backgrounds in Transport, Logistics, Distribution, Manufacturing, Retail, Utilities, Engineering or other heavily unionised operational environments
Key Skills:
Confident without ego
Strategic but hands-on
Commercially aware
Politically astute
Resilient and credible
Comfortable challenging senior stakeholders
Relationship-focused and collaborative
Most importantly, you'll know how to influence effectively, build trust and navigate complexity without creating unnecessary conflict.
Why Apply?
First-in-post opportunity with significant scope to shape the role
Genuine seat at the leadership table
Direct reporting line to the Managing Director
Opportunity to lead a strategic people transformation
High-profile role within a major UK Group
Significant autonomy and visibility
Ability to make a lasting impact on business performance and culture
Location & Working Pattern:
Central Oxford location
4 days per week on site
1 day home working
Regular travel across operational locations within Oxfordshire
Highly visible leadership presence required
If you're an experienced HR leader with strong union, tribunal and team leadership expertise who thrives in operational environments and enjoys driving meaningful change, we'd love to hear from you.
Should you be interested in discussing this vacancy please contact Annabel Green via LinkedIn.
Resourcing4HR is an independent HR Recruitment and Consultancy company specialising in supporting the HR Community - both candidates and clients alike, in a partnership approach to resourcing HR professionals.
Resourcing4HR is an equal opportunities employer and a company committed to diversity.
Resourcing4HR operates as a Recruitment Agency for the provision of permanent candidates and as a Recruitment Business for the provision of temporary candidates
Oxford
Up to £85,000 + Benefits
4 Days On Site | 1 Day Home Working
A Rare Opportunity to Shape a Strategic People Function.
We're seeking a commercially minded, influential People leader to join a major UK business as the first dedicated Head of People & Culture for a significant regional division of the group. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you'll play a pivotal role in transforming the people agenda, leading through change and becoming a trusted advisor at the highest level of the business.
Part of a wider Group employing over 33,000 people across the UK, this Oxfordshire-based operation employs more than 1,200 colleagues across five businesses and is undergoing a significant period of transformation. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to build strategic people capability, shape organisational culture and lead complex industrial relations activity during a time of major change.
The Opportunity
Whilst the title suggests broad people leadership, the real focus of this appointment is to move the business from a historically transactional HR model towards a genuine strategic business partnering function.
As a key member of the leadership team, you will:
Act as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director and senior leadership team
Lead the people agenda across five operating businesses within Oxfordshire
Take ownership of union relationships, negotiations and consultation activity
Support significant organisational transformation and change programmes
Develop leadership capability across the business
Coach, mentor and elevate the existing People team
Drive a more strategic, commercially focused approach to people management
The wider Group employs approximately 33,000 people and is investing heavily in people transformation, including:
Workday implementation
Payroll and systems modernisation
Development of centres of excellence and shared services
Transformation of people support models
Organisational redesign and change initiatives
Greater consistency and standardisation across operating companies
This role offers significant visibility and influence both locally and across the wider Group.
What You'll Be Doing:
Strategic Leadership
Partnering with senior leaders to influence business decisions
Driving organisational effectiveness and leadership capability
Embedding a modern, business-focused people function
Supporting long-term workforce and talent strategies
Industrial Relations:
Leading relationships with recognised trade unions
Managing negotiations, consultations and complex employee relations matters
Building trust and credibility with key union stakeholders
Supporting business change programmes impacting employees and terms & conditions
Transformation & Change:
Leading people-related transformation initiatives
Supporting system and process implementation projects
Driving organisational change and cultural development
Ensuring employee engagement remains strong throughout periods of change
Key Background:
We're interested in experienced Strategic HR Business Partners and People leaders who have operated in complex, multi-site environments and are comfortable balancing strategic thinking with operational reality.
Essential Experience:
Senior HR leadership experience within a multi-site operational business
Strong industrial relations and employee relations expertise
Significant experience working with trade unions
Proven employment tribunal experience
Experience influencing at executive and leadership team level
Track record of leading organisational change and transformation
Experience developing and leading HR teams
Ideal industry backgrounds in Transport, Logistics, Distribution, Manufacturing, Retail, Utilities, Engineering or other heavily unionised operational environments
Key Skills:
Confident without ego
Strategic but hands-on
Commercially aware
Politically astute
Resilient and credible
Comfortable challenging senior stakeholders
Relationship-focused and collaborative
Most importantly, you'll know how to influence effectively, build trust and navigate complexity without creating unnecessary conflict.
Why Apply?
First-in-post opportunity with significant scope to shape the role
Genuine seat at the leadership table
Direct reporting line to the Managing Director
Opportunity to lead a strategic people transformation
High-profile role within a major UK Group
Significant autonomy and visibility
Ability to make a lasting impact on business performance and culture
Location & Working Pattern:
Central Oxford location
4 days per week on site
1 day home working
Regular travel across operational locations within Oxfordshire
Highly visible leadership presence required
If you're an experienced HR leader with strong union, tribunal and team leadership expertise who thrives in operational environments and enjoys driving meaningful change, we'd love to hear from you.
Should you be interested in discussing this vacancy please contact Annabel Green via LinkedIn.
Resourcing4HR is an independent HR Recruitment and Consultancy company specialising in supporting the HR Community - both candidates and clients alike, in a partnership approach to resourcing HR professionals.
Resourcing4HR is an equal opportunities employer and a company committed to diversity.
Resourcing4HR operates as a Recruitment Agency for the provision of permanent candidates and as a Recruitment Business for the provision of temporary candidates