At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the HR function and shape a people-focused strategy across our catering business.
- Company: Accent Catering, a fresh food company with a passion for quality and people development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, private medical insurance, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal growth and recognition.
- Why this job: Join a recognised employer and make a real impact on employee engagement and culture.
- Qualifications: Significant HR experience, strong leadership skills, and a CIPD Level 7 qualification.
The predicted salary is between 95000 - 95000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR Director to join the team at Accent Catering. Reporting to the Finance Director, this is a key senior leadership role responsible for leading the HR function and delivering a professional, practical and commercially focused people strategy across our multi-site contract catering business. Working closely with the senior leadership team, you will play a pivotal role in helping Accent continue to be recognised as one of the best employers in the industry.
You will help shape and drive the culture of the business, supporting people development, management capability and employee engagement while ensuring a consistent, compliant and commercially balanced approach to HR across the company. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on operational support in a fast-paced environment where managers require clear, confident and commercially sound guidance.
You will lead on complex employee relations matters, organisational change, safeguarding, recruitment strategy, HR systems development and the practical use of AI and technology to improve efficiency, reporting and decision-making across the HR function. We are looking for a commercially minded and highly credible HR leader with significant generalist Human Resources experience within a multi-site environment. You will be confident influencing senior stakeholders, leading and inspiring teams, driving projects and supporting managers through complex people matters with professionalism, resilience and sound judgement.
Benefits of working with Accent as an HR Director:
- Competitive salary with annual review
- Annual performance bonus
- Free on-site parking
- Life insurance, company sick pay and pension
- Private medical insurance
- Career development opportunities and study support
- Multiple discounts on our Accent Engage platform - shops, restaurants, gifts, leisure and more
- HIT apprenticeships for all experience levels
- Team events, awards and competitions throughout the year
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing and financial support
As our HR Director, you will be:
- Leading and developing the HR team to deliver a consistent, responsive and commercially focused HR service
- Partnering with senior leaders to shape and deliver the company people strategy
- Supporting the business to recruit, develop and retain the best talent across the organisation
- Driving a positive, accountable and high-performing management culture
- Leading on complex employee relations matters including disciplinary, grievance, absence, capability and safeguarding cases
- Providing practical and commercially balanced advice on employment law, risk and organisational change
- Working with Operations Directors and senior managers to identify training needs and deliver practical management training
- Leading and supporting the company’s ongoing pursuit and achievement of recognised catering industry employer accreditations and awards
- Monitoring changes in employment legislation and implementing effective policies and practices across the business
- Supporting TUPE transfers, restructures, consultations and mobilisation activity
- Leading HR projects, systems development and process improvements including the use of AI and automation
- Using HR data, reporting and insight to identify trends, improve decision-making and reduce risk
- Supporting initiatives focused on employee engagement, wellbeing, sustainability and people development
- Working closely with Operations teams to support workforce planning and reduce agency spend
What you will bring:
- Significant senior HR experience within a fast-paced, multi-site organisation
- Strong generalist HR knowledge including employee relations, organisational change, recruitment, TUPE and management development
- Detailed knowledge of UK employment law, HR best practice and current legislative developments
- Experience handling complex ER matters confidently, effectively and assertively
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance business needs, legal compliance and employee experience
- Experience advising and influencing senior leaders and stakeholders
- Strong leadership skills with experience developing and inspiring HR teams
- Excellent communication, relationship building and organisational skills
- Experience improving HR systems, reporting, automation and digital processes
- Interest and understanding of how AI and technology can support modern HR practices
- High attention to detail with a proactive and solutions-focused approach
- A CIPD qualification at Level 7 or equivalent
About Accent Catering:
We are an ambitious and ever-growing fresh food company, providing innovative food service solutions to a variety of Schools and Businesses. With turnover in excess of £55m, more than 1,400 employees, and operations across over 170 catering sites, we have won numerous awards for our service, including The Caterer’s prestigious Best Places to Work in Hospitality. At Accent we’re passionate about food quality and people development, making this a fantastic place to build your career in a supportive and professional environment.
We are independently owned, so you’ll never be just another number to us – our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we take pride in recognising every individual’s contribution.
Salary: £95K per annum plus bonus
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Location: Based at our prestigious riverside offices in Staines-upon-Thames with occasional travel to sites as required.
Apply now and join our award winning team!
The Company treats personal data collected during the recruitment process in accordance with its data protection policy. Information about how your data is used and the basis for processing your data is provided in the Company’s privacy notice which can be found on our website.
HR Director in Staines employer: Accent Catering Services Ltd
Accent Catering is an exceptional employer, renowned for its commitment to employee development and a supportive work culture. With competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a focus on career growth, employees are empowered to thrive in a dynamic environment that values individual contributions. Located in the picturesque Staines-upon-Thames, our riverside offices provide a vibrant setting for collaboration and innovation, making Accent Catering a fantastic place to build a meaningful career.
Contact Details:
Accent Catering Services Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Director in Staines
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field, attend industry events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. The more people know you're looking for an HR Director role, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Accent Catering thoroughly. Understand their culture, values, and recent achievements. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss your experience with complex employee relations and how you've driven positive change in previous roles. Confidence is key, so rehearse your answers until they feel natural.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining Accent Catering and becoming part of their award-winning team.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Director in Staines
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Director role. Highlight your experience in leading HR functions and any specific achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for Accent Catering. Share your passion for people development and how you've successfully influenced senior stakeholders in the past. This is your chance to shine!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:In your application, emphasise your leadership experience and how you've inspired teams in previous roles. We’re looking for someone who can drive a high-performing culture, so make sure to include relevant examples.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Accent Catering Services Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices. Be ready to discuss how you've handled complex employee relations matters in the past, as this will show your expertise and confidence in the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading and inspiring HR teams. Think about specific situations where you’ve driven a positive management culture or supported senior leaders in shaping people strategies.
✨Be Commercially Minded
Accent Catering is looking for someone who can balance business needs with employee experience. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully navigated this balance in previous roles, especially in a multi-site environment.
✨Embrace Technology
With the role involving the use of AI and technology in HR processes, be ready to share your thoughts on how these tools can improve efficiency and decision-making. Highlight any experience you have with HR systems development or automation.
