At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the people strategy and drive cultural transformation in a dynamic retail environment.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking retail company focused on shaping its talent agenda.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model and a highly competitive salary.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact at board level and elevate the company's people strategy.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in people strategy with a strong retail background preferred.
- Other info: This role is perfect for ambitious leaders ready to transform organisational culture.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Head of People Strategy to step into a high-impact, strategic leadership role shaping the future of our clients' people and talent agenda. Acting as Head of People Strategy and working closely with the Chief People Officer (CPO), this is a rare opportunity to influence at the board level and drive enterprise-wide transformation. This role is not about program delivery—it’s about setting the people strategy, driving change, and building a high-performance culture across the business.
What You’ll Do:
- Shape and elevate the people strategy as a core business priority.
- Partner closely with the CPO and People Leadership Team to lead transformation initiatives.
- Develop, write, and present board-level people and talent papers.
- Align stakeholders across People Directors, Talent, Reward, and COEs to deliver a unified people agenda.
- Lead cultural transformation, operating model improvements, and strengthen talent pipelines and succession planning.
- Provide expertise in organisational effectiveness, design, and leadership capability building.
What We’re Looking For:
- 10+ years’ experience in consulting and in-house roles across people strategy, transformation, or organisational design.
- Strong background in retail or consumer industries is highly desirable.
- Exceptional strategic thinking, board-level presence, and influencing skills.
- Experience in generalist HR or Centre of Excellence (COE) roles is a plus.
- Ambitious, high-potential individual ready to make a significant leadership impact.
What Success Looks Like:
- Delivering compelling, board-quality strategy materials.
- Driving measurable cultural and operational improvements.
- Building strong alignment across people functions.
- Raising the standard for people strategy within the organisation.
Head of People Strategy employer: Agora Talent
Contact Detail:
Agora Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of People Strategy
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the retail and consumer industries. Attend industry events, webinars, or conferences where you can meet potential colleagues or mentors who can provide insights into the role and company culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the current trends in people strategy and organisational design, especially within the retail sector. Being well-versed in these topics will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've driven cultural transformation and strategic initiatives in previous roles. Highlighting measurable outcomes will showcase your ability to deliver results at a board level.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the company's mission, values, and recent developments. Tailoring your discussions around their specific goals and challenges will show your genuine interest and alignment with their vision.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of People Strategy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take time to thoroughly understand the responsibilities and expectations of the Head of People Strategy position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in shaping people strategies and driving transformation.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise your 10+ years of experience in consulting and in-house roles related to people strategy and organisational design. Use specific examples that demonstrate your strategic thinking and board-level presence.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Illustrate your leadership capabilities by detailing past experiences where you successfully led cultural transformations or improved operational effectiveness. This will show your potential to make a significant impact in this role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a strong cover letter that connects your background with the job requirements. Discuss your passion for people strategy and how you can contribute to building a high-performance culture within the organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Agora Talent
✨Understand the Business Context
Before the interview, research the company's current people strategy and any recent changes in leadership or culture. This will help you tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Prepare Board-Level Presentations
Since this role involves presenting to the board, practice summarising complex ideas into clear, concise points. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully communicated strategic initiatives in the past.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've shaped people strategies in previous roles. Highlight your ability to drive change and improve organisational effectiveness, especially in retail or consumer industries.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Alignment Skills
Discuss your experience in aligning various stakeholders around a unified people agenda. Provide examples of how you've collaborated with different teams to achieve common goals, showcasing your influencing skills.