At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape the people strategy in a dynamic hospitality business.
- Company: Accent Catering, an award-winning fresh food company.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, private medical insurance, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee engagement and culture in a growing company.
- Qualifications: Significant HR experience, strong leadership skills, and a CIPD Level 7 qualification.
Are you ready to lead and shape the people strategy of an ambitious and growing hospitality business?
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
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- 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 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!
HR Director in Staines employer: Accent Catering
Accent Catering is an exceptional employer, offering a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that includes private medical insurance, life insurance, and generous holiday allowances. With a strong focus on employee development and engagement, the company fosters a supportive work culture where individual contributions are valued, and career growth opportunities abound. Located in the picturesque Staines-upon-Thames, employees enjoy a vibrant environment that encourages innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for HR professionals to thrive.
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 hospitality industry and let them know you're on the lookout for an HR Director role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨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 leading their people strategy.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate how your experience aligns with the needs of Accent Catering. Highlight your leadership skills and how you've successfully managed complex employee relations in the past.
✨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 our award-winning team at Accent Catering.
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 shape our people strategy!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for Accent Catering. Share your passion for people development and how you can contribute to our culture. Remember, we love a personal touch!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:In your application, emphasise your leadership experience. We’re looking for someone who can inspire teams and drive projects. Share examples of how you've successfully managed complex employee relations or led HR initiatives in the past.
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. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our company culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at Accent Catering
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Accent Catering's mission, values, and recent achievements. Understanding their people strategy and how they position themselves in the hospitality industry will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Prepare for Complex Scenarios
Given the nature of the HR Director role, be ready to discuss complex employee relations matters. Think of examples from your past experience where you've successfully navigated challenges like disciplinary actions or organisational change, and be prepared to explain your thought process and outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Accent Catering is looking for a leader who can inspire and develop teams. Be ready to share your leadership philosophy and specific instances where you've motivated your team or influenced senior stakeholders. Highlight how you balance commercial needs with employee experience.
✨Emphasise Your Tech Savvy
With the increasing use of AI and technology in HR, make sure to discuss your experience with HR systems and automation. Share examples of how you've used data and technology to improve processes or decision-making, as this aligns with the company's focus on efficiency and innovation.
