At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape HR strategies to enhance business performance and employee engagement.
- Company: Dynamic international organisation in the private equity sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus structure, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a transformative team focused on growth and integration across multiple entities.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on HR practices in a diverse and commercially driven environment.
- Qualifications: Proven HR leadership experience with strong commercial acumen and stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 150000 - 150000 £ per year.
We are supporting a growing, international organisation to appoint a People Director to lead and shape a high-quality, business-facing HR offering across its operations. This role will take ownership of the operational people agenda, ensuring that the HR function is embedded, credible and impactful at a local level, while also driving excellence across core specialist areas such as reward, talent and development.
Reporting to the Chief People Officer, the People Director will act as the senior lead for business partnering and operational HR delivery across a diverse and commercially driven organisation. This is a key leadership role focused on strengthening how People supports the business — building a model that combines strong, commercially focused business partnering with high-quality, well-defined centres of expertise.
Operating in a complex, multi-entity environment, you will play a central role in shaping a consistent, high-performing HR offering that is both strategically aligned and operationally effective.
- Oversee the delivery of core HR services, ensuring they are efficient, scalable and of a consistently high standard.
- Drive the development and effectiveness of key specialist areas, including reward, talent, performance and development.
- Act as a senior advisor to business leaders on organisational effectiveness, people challenges and workforce planning.
- Bring structure and consistency to people frameworks, policies and processes across multiple business areas.
- Build capability within the HR team, developing both commercially minded business partners and deep functional expertise.
- Lead on employee relations, governance and risk, ensuring balanced and pragmatic outcomes.
- Support the delivery of group-wide people initiatives, ensuring effective local execution.
- Contribute to broader transformation, growth and integration programmes.
You are an experienced HR leader with a strong track record across both generalist HR and specialist people disciplines, comfortable operating across business partnering and centres of expertise. You bring a balanced profile — equally credible in shaping strategic direction, leading operational delivery, and building depth in areas such as reward and overall talent.
- Proven experience leading operational HR and business partnering within complex, multi-entity organisations.
- Experience shaping or overseeing Centres of Excellence, particularly across reward, talent and performance.
- Strong commercial acumen and the ability to translate business needs into effective people solutions.
- Experience working in structured, performance-driven environments with multiple stakeholder groups.
- Depth in employee relations, organisational design and workforce planning.
- A track record of building well-rounded HR teams, combining generalist and specialist capability.
- Confident stakeholder manager, able to influence and challenge at senior levels.
Head of Employment - Director in City of London employer: Catalyst Partners
As a leading international organisation based in London, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored development programmes and opportunities for advancement within our high-performing HR team. With a competitive salary and bonus structure, alongside a focus on strategic business partnering, we empower our employees to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a collaborative and supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Employment - Director in City of 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 Catalyst Partners!
✨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 Catalyst Partners.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Employment - Director in City of 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 Catalyst Partners. 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 Catalyst Partners 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 Catalyst Partners. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Catalyst Partners'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 Catalyst Partners
✨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 Catalyst Partners.
✨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 Catalyst Partners 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 Catalyst Partners and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
