Interim Human Resources Director in Swindon
Interim Human Resources Director

Interim Human Resources Director in Swindon

Swindon Temporary 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Arriva Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead HR strategy and provide expert advice to senior leaders in a dynamic environment.
  • Company: Join a complex, multi-site business division focused on growth and cultural development.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to shape organisational culture.
  • Other info: Opportunity to influence at executive level and work across multiple locations.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by driving people strategies and enhancing employee engagement.
  • Qualifications: CIPD qualified or equivalent experience with proven senior HR leadership skills.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

This role is interim for 12 months. We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded HR Director to lead the delivery of a high‑quality, proactive, and value‑adding HR service across a complex, multi‑site business division. This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for shaping and delivering the People Plan, providing trusted advice to senior leaders on complex people matters, and leading the HR function to support business performance, growth, and cultural development. You will operate as a key member of the wider HR leadership community, influencing at both divisional and enterprise level.

Strategic People Leadership

  • Lead the development, implementation, and delivery of the People Strategy, aligned to business objectives and future growth plans.
  • Act as a trusted adviser to Directors and Senior Managers on complex, sensitive, and high‑risk people issues.
  • Champion a high‑performance culture focused on engagement, capability, and fair reward.

Business Partnering & Influence

  • Build strong, credible relationships with senior leaders through effective coaching, challenge, and influence.
  • Develop a deep understanding of operational priorities, challenges, and frontline realities.
  • Translate business strategy into clear, actionable people plans.

Workforce, Talent & Capability

  • Create and deliver workforce and succession plans to ensure a fit‑for‑the‑future organisation.
  • Lead talent management, leadership development, and succession planning activity.
  • Drive employee engagement, experience, and performance through insight‑led interventions.

Employee & Industrial Relations

  • Lead and maintain a constructive and productive employee and industrial relations environment.
  • Take accountability for pay negotiations and reward strategy development.
  • Provide expert guidance on ER and IR matters in a unionised environment.

Organisation Design & Change

  • Ensure organisational structures are fit for purpose in the short, medium, and long term.
  • Lead and oversee organisational change programmes, including consultation processes, TUPE, and harmonisation of terms where required.
  • Drive cultural, capability, and change initiatives aligned to business needs.

Governance, Insight & Compliance

  • Define and interpret people metrics, translating data into meaningful insight and challenge for leaders.
  • Ensure full compliance with employment legislation, policies, and people governance.
  • Monitor and advise on legislative changes and case law.

HR Function Leadership

  • Lead, develop, and motivate the HR function, ensuring high standards of service delivery.
  • Oversee HR financial planning, forecasting, and budget management.
  • Work collaboratively with specialist centres of expertise to deliver inclusion, talent, learning, wellbeing, and reward strategies.
  • Own and deliver the internal communications strategy to drive engagement and transparency.

Skills, Experience & Attributes

  • CIPD qualified (degree level or equivalent) or qualified by experience.
  • Proven senior HR leadership experience within a complex, multi‑site or regulated environment.
  • Strong commercial acumen and ability to exercise sound, independent judgement.
  • Credible influencer with the confidence to challenge and advise at executive level.
  • Strong analytical and problem‑solving capability, with experience using HR data to drive decisions.
  • Working knowledge of modern HR systems and analytics (e.g. Workday is advantageous).
  • Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable operating in highly dynamic environments.
  • Willingness to travel across multiple locations as required.
  • Extensive experience across: Employee & industrial relations, Reward and pay negotiation, Organisational change and transformation.

Interim Human Resources Director in Swindon employer: Arriva Group

As an Interim Human Resources Director, you will join a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation that prioritises employee engagement and cultural development. Our commitment to fostering a high-performance culture is matched by our investment in your professional growth, offering opportunities for leadership development and strategic influence across a multi-site business division. With a collaborative work environment and a focus on innovative HR practices, we ensure that our employees are equipped to thrive in a complex and evolving landscape.
Arriva Group

Contact Detail:

Arriva Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Interim Human Resources Director in Swindon

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in areas like employee engagement and organisational change.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your leadership style and how you've successfully navigated complex HR challenges in the past. Confidence is key when influencing senior leaders.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Interim Human Resources Director in Swindon

CIPD qualified
Senior HR Leadership
Commercial Acumen
Influencing Skills
Analytical Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
HR Data Analysis
Modern HR Systems Knowledge
Employee Relations
Industrial Relations
Pay Negotiation
Organisational Change Management
Succession Planning
Talent Management
Coaching Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Interim Human Resources Director. Highlight your experience in leading HR functions, managing complex people issues, and driving cultural change. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've influenced senior leaders and delivered on people strategies in the past. We love a good story!

Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, don’t forget to showcase your leadership style. We’re looking for someone who can motivate and develop teams while driving performance. Share how you’ve built strong relationships and championed a high-performance culture.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, you’ll get to see more about what we do at StudySmarter!

How to prepare for a job interview at Arriva Group

✨Know Your People Strategy

Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the company's People Strategy and how it aligns with their business objectives. Be ready to discuss how your experience can help shape and deliver this strategy effectively.

✨Showcase Your Influencing Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully influenced senior leaders in previous roles. Highlight your ability to build credible relationships and provide trusted advice on complex people matters, as this is crucial for the role.

✨Demonstrate Analytical Thinking

Be prepared to discuss how you've used HR data to drive decisions in the past. Think of specific instances where your analytical skills led to positive outcomes, especially in a multi-site or regulated environment.

✨Emphasise Change Management Experience

Since this role involves leading organisational change programmes, come equipped with examples of how you've managed change initiatives. Discuss your approach to consultation processes and how you've ensured a smooth transition during transformations.

Interim Human Resources Director in Swindon
Arriva Group
Location: Swindon
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