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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR strategy and drive operational excellence in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Babcock, a leader in defence and technology with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact shaping people strategies in a high-stakes sector.
- Qualifications: Proven HR leadership experience and strong stakeholder influence required.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with flexible working options and excellent career growth.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: Ashton Vale Bristol or Plymouth Devon
Compensation: Excellent Salary Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Lead with purpose. Shape the future. Make a difference. At Babcock, we are working to create a safe and secure world together. If you join us, you can play your part as a Head of People.
The Role
As our new Head of People, you'll be a key member of the Mission Systems HR leadership team driving strategic and operational excellence. This is a high-impact role where you'll help shape the people strategy and deliver a sector-wide people plan that supports future growth, innovation, and performance. You'll work closely with senior stakeholders including a Business Unit Managing Director and Operations Director, influencing decisions that affect a £400M sector delivering cutting-edge technology from submarine launch systems to satellite communications.
Day-to-day you'll be:
- Representing HR in cross-functional forums and contributing to wider organisational success.
- Coaching and developing HR professionals to foster a high-performance culture.
- Leading the delivery of HR services across the full employee lifecycle with consistency and quality.
- Driving union engagement and leading annual pay negotiations.
- Partnering with senior leaders to shape and execute people strategies aligned with business goals.
The role is based onsite at Ashton House and the set working times are Monday to Friday totalling 37 hours per week. The role may involve occasional travel to Devonport or alternatively be based at Devonport with regular travel to Bristol.
Essential experience of the Head of People:
- Proven HR leadership in large complex organisations.
- Strong track record of strategic HR delivery and stakeholder influence.
- Experience leading union negotiations and pay discussions.
- Commercial acumen and ability to deliver pragmatic solutions.
- Ability to lead through complexity with integrity and collaboration.
Qualifications for the Head of People:
We value difference and do not have a fixed idea when it comes to background provided you can show the required level of leadership experience and impact.
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role. Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held.
What we offer:
- Generous holiday allowance
- Matched contribution pension scheme with life assurance
- Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare
- Employee share scheme
- Employee shopping savings portal
- Payment of Professional Fees
- Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
- Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement. This Window opens February through to March annually.
- Be Kind Day enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
- Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
Babcock International
For over a century, Babcock has helped to defend nations, protect communities, and build a better world. To continue, we must adapt, advance, and be a sustainable business with a shared goal. We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email with the subject header Reasonable adjustments requirement. We're committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone is free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working; please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.
Closing date: 25/11/2025
Head of People employer: Babcock International
Contact Detail:
Babcock International Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of People
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or attend industry events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its culture. We want you to shine, so practice common interview questions and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after your interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. We believe that a little gratitude can make a big impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals to join our team, so let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of People
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of People role. Highlight your HR leadership experience and how it aligns with Babcock's mission. We want to see how you can shape the future with us!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of your strategic HR delivery and stakeholder influence. We love seeing quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value difference and want to know what makes you unique. Share your story and how it connects to our values at Babcock.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to review your application and get you on the path to joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Babcock's mission and values. Understand their people strategy and how it aligns with their business goals. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience can contribute to their objectives.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your leadership approach, especially in complex environments. Prepare examples of how you've influenced stakeholders and led HR initiatives in previous roles. This will demonstrate your capability to drive strategic HR delivery.
✨Prepare for Tough Questions
Expect questions around union negotiations and pay discussions. Think of specific scenarios where you've successfully navigated these challenges. Highlight your commercial acumen and ability to deliver pragmatic solutions under pressure.
✨Engage with Their Culture
Babcock values inclusivity and collaboration. During the interview, express your commitment to fostering a high-performance culture and how you plan to coach and develop HR professionals. This will resonate well with their organisational ethos.
