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- Tasks: Lead HR strategy and support growth in a dynamic, science-led organisation.
- Company: Fast-growing, innovative company in the life sciences sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, benefits, and the chance to shape company culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on people strategy and culture during exciting growth.
- Qualifications: Significant HR leadership experience and strong knowledge of UK employment law.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with genuine influence and autonomy.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
A fast-growing, science-led organisation operating in a highly regulated and innovative environment is seeking a Head of HR to lead its people strategy at its London site. This is a senior, hands-on role for an experienced HR leader who thrives in dynamic, high-performance settings and enjoys working closely with leadership and onsite teams.
As Head of HR, you will take ownership of the HR function for the London workforce, acting as a strategic partner to senior leaders while remaining closely connected to day-to-day operations. You will shape culture, support growth, and ensure robust, compliant people practices across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities- Lead and deliver the HR strategy aligned to business objectives
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on all people matters
- Oversee employee relations, performance management, and organisational development
- Drive talent attraction, retention, and succession planning
- Build and embed a strong, inclusive, and high-performance culture
- Ensure full compliance with UK employment law and internal policies
- Oversee HR operations, policies, benefits, and HR systems
- Support change, growth, and workforce planning initiatives
- Significant HR leadership experience within a fast-paced or regulated environment
- Experience in a life science business (pharma/biotech/CRO)
- Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
- Proven ability to operate both strategically and operationally
- Confident influencing senior stakeholders and leadership teams
- Pragmatic, people-focused, and commercially aware
- Senior leadership role with genuine influence and autonomy
- Opportunity to shape culture and people strategy during a period of growth
- Collaborative, mission-driven environment
- Competitive salary and benefits
Head of Human Resources in London employer: Barrington James
Contact Detail:
Barrington James Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Human Resources in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field, especially those in life sciences. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. We want to see how you can align your experience with their mission. Tailor your responses to show you're not just a fit for the role, but for the team too!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your strategic thinking! When discussing your past experiences, highlight how you've influenced HR strategies that drove business success. We love to see candidates who can think big while managing the day-to-day.
✨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 us you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission-driven environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Human Resources in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Head of HR role. Highlight your leadership experience in fast-paced environments and any relevant knowledge of UK employment law.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for shaping culture and driving people strategy, and don’t forget to mention your experience in life sciences if applicable!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on quantifiable achievements. Did you improve employee retention rates or successfully implement a new HR strategy? We love numbers that tell a story!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to lead our HR function.
How to prepare for a job interview at Barrington James
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices. Be ready to discuss how you've applied this knowledge in previous roles, especially in fast-paced or regulated environments like life sciences.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to align HR strategies with business objectives. Think about times when you've acted as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and how your input shaped the organisation's culture and performance.
✨Demonstrate People Skills
Since this role is all about people, be ready to talk about your experience in employee relations and performance management. Share specific instances where you've successfully navigated complex people issues or driven talent attraction and retention.
✨Be Ready for Change
This position involves supporting change and growth initiatives, so come prepared with examples of how you've managed change in the past. Discuss your approach to workforce planning and how you've helped teams adapt during transitions.
