At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the people function and manage HR operations across multiple countries.
- Company: Avenir Collective, a dynamic beauty and lifestyle brand builder.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, private medical insurance, and international travel opportunities.
- Other info: Join a vibrant team and enjoy flexi-Fridays and exciting Avenir events.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced, collaborative environment while shaping company culture.
- Qualifications: Strong HR experience with knowledge of UK employment law and international operations.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 80000 £ per year.
- Reporting to: CEO, working closely with the Executive Team
- Role Type: Full-time, fixed-term contract (maternity cover, approx. 12 months)
About Us
Avenir Collective. Building the future of beauty, personal care and lifestyle brands.
We acquire and scale high-potential consumer brands, bringing together the capital, people and operating expertise to turn strong brands into enduring businesses.
Our difference is that we are operators, actively managing our brands and providing the capabilities, infrastructure and expertise they need to scale, while preserving the product, purpose and consumer connection that make each brand special.
We’re building a connected house of brands where great people, brands and ideas come together.
If you’re excited by building businesses, solving problems and working with a collaborative, entrepreneurial team, we’d love to hear from you.
Your role at a Glance
As a
Head of People (maternity cover) in our team, you will be leading the day-to-day people operation, owning the HR budget and guiding our small but talented People team
, ensuring the business stays well supported across employee relations, reward, culture, payroll and people operations
, by working in collaboration with the CEO, the Executive Team and managers across our UK, Netherlands and Australia teams.
This role is ideal for someone with strong UK employment law knowledge, international people experience and the confidence to work autonomously
, who is excited to work in a fast-paced business with a talented team. Your work will directly impact every team across our growing, multi-entity house of beauty and personal care brands and contribute to shaping our success.
- Location & Flexibility
- Full-time, fixed-term contract (maternity cover) running approximately 12 months
- 40 hours per week, 9 am to 6 pm with a one-hour lunch
- This position is hybrid, with the expectation to go to the office 2 to 3 days per week
Key Responsibilities
- Leading the people function
- Oversee the day-to-day running of the People function and manage its budget, spanning talent acquisition, HR systems, compensation, benefits, learning and development, culture, employee engagement and resource planning.
- Own group-wide payroll and pensions, ensuring accurate and timely delivery alongside effective management of Hi Bob, benefits administration, HR policies and compliance across all entities.
- Coordinate the People agenda across a multi-entity group, supporting teams in the UK, Netherlands and Australia, as well as international contractors, and ensuring People processes work effectively across different jurisdictions.
- Lead and develop the People team, comprising a People Coordinator and Talent Partner, setting priorities, coaching team members and maintaining clear, consistent and up-to-date HR policies and practices.
- Translate people data and business priorities into actionable recommendations, partnering with senior leaders on headcount planning, payroll costs, retention and organisational effectiveness.
- Lead complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, performance and absence cases, ensuring fair, consistent outcomes and compliance with relevant employment legislation.
Coordinate local legal advice where needed, including in Australia, the Netherlands and the US.
- Business partnering and support
- Advise and support the CEO, Executive Team and managers on HR matters, giving professional guidance and ensuring compliance across the organisation.
- Deliver people initiatives that support growth, organisational effectiveness and change.
- Talent acquisition and resourcing
- Oversee the talent acquisition function and support our resourcing approach to attract and retain great people, advising hiring managers on selection and good hiring practice.
- Manage and support the internal Talent Partner, and support senior leadership hiring where needed.
- Performance, talent and development
- Own performance development and talent management programmes.
- Support succession planning and leadership development, and build organisational capability through performance management, coaching and career development.
- Support leaders in building high-performing teams, and help deliver organisational design projects.
- Culture, engagement and insight
- Nurture a culture that helps people perform against our business objectives, using data capture such as engagement surveys.
- Track key people metrics including engagement, retention, performance, diversity, hiring and compensation.
- Share people insights and recommendations with the Executive Team.
- About The Ideal Candidate
- A senior HR generalist (Head of People, People Manager or strong HR Manager) who has owned a broad people remit end to end, including budget and line-managing a small team.
- Experience operating across a multi-entity, international business, ideally UK plus EU, with APAC/Australia or global contractor exposure a strong plus.
- Strong, up-to-date UK employment law knowledge, with hands‑on experience managing employee relations and performance matters.
- Confident owning payroll, pensions, benefits and the day-to‑day of reward, and running clean, compliant people operations.
- Comfortable overseeing recruitment and partnering hiring managers, with experience running or guiding a talent acquisition function.
- Genuinely autonomous, comfortable taking the reins and holding the function with minimal oversight, in a fast‑moving scale‑up, consumer, retail or ecommerce setting.
- A credible communicator and trusted adviser who partners executives and managers, with solid organisational development and culture capability, and confidence using people data to inform decisions.
- CIPD qualified or equivalent experience, with a pragmatic, commercial and people‑first approach.
Perks & Benefits
- (UK)
- 30 days holiday + 8 UK bank holidays
- Pension contribution Scheme – 5% from you, 3% from us.
- Private Medical Insurance – Includes travel, vision & dental (Vitality)
- Work from Abroad – One month per year, anywhere in the world
- Bonus Scheme – Discretionary bonus, based on individual and company performance
- Mental Health Support – Free, confidential therapy via Spill
- Opportunity for International Travel – Our team members have been to New York, Vegas, Amsterdam… and Birmingham!
- Flexi-Fridays – Finish early one Friday per month
- Avenir Events – Quarterly meetups, celebrations & socials
- Vibrant Office – Runway East, Bloomsbury
Avenir Collective is proud to be a disability-committed employer registered in the UK.
If you identify as having a disability and meet all of the criteria set out in the job description, we would like to support you through the interview stage.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment where all employees and applicants can flourish.
Avenir Collective - Head Of People (Maternity Cover) in London employer: Avenir Collective
Avenir Collective is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where collaboration and innovation thrive. With a focus on employee growth, we offer generous benefits including 30 days of holiday, private medical insurance, and the unique opportunity to work from abroad for a month each year. Located in the heart of Holborn, our team enjoys a dynamic environment that encourages creativity and personal development, making it an ideal place for those passionate about building meaningful brands in the beauty and personal care industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Avenir Collective - Head Of People (Maternity Cover) in London
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Avenir Collective!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Avenir Collective.
We think you need these skills to ace Avenir Collective - Head Of People (Maternity Cover) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Avenir Collective. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Avenir Collective and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Avenir Collective. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Avenir Collective's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Avenir Collective
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Avenir Collective.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Avenir Collective will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Avenir Collective and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
