At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop the People function, shaping our People Strategy and enhancing employee experience.
- Company: Join a dynamic organisation committed to creating an inclusive and values-led culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working, health cash plan, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible hours, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional development await you!
- Why this job: Make a real impact on organisational culture and employee wellbeing while collaborating with senior leaders.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 7 or equivalent experience in HR/People systems and exceptional relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 50285 - 50285 £ per year.
Location: Bristol
Salary: £50,285 per annum - Grade J
Job Type: Full Time, Permanent
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week, with a minimum of three days a week at our Bristol office. We work flexibly where roles allow, with core working hours typically between 10am and 4pm.
Closing Date: 9am on Monday 3 August 2026.
About The Role:
We're looking for someone to lead and continue to develop CSE's People function, helping ensure we have the people, capability and culture needed to deliver our mission. You'll shape and deliver our draft People Strategy, working across the full breadth of the People function, from strategic business partnering and organisational development through to ER, recruitment, L&D, wellbeing, EDI, people operations and HR digital transformation. You'll have the opportunity to advise and work closely with our Senior Leadership Team, be a member of the Senior Management Team and will work with staff across the organisation, bringing workforce insight and a people perspective to organisational decision-making.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and deliver the People Strategy - Lead the development, delivery and ongoing evolution of CSE's People Strategy, ensuring it supports organisational priorities and helps CSE attract, retain and develop the people and capability needed to deliver its mission.
- Partner with senior leaders - Act as a trusted advisor to the Senior Leadership Team and Senior Management Team, partnering with leaders to deliver organisational priorities, strengthen team effectiveness and address people-related challenges and opportunities.
- Lead the employee experience and continuous improvement - Lead and continuously improve the employee experience across the full employee lifecycle, strengthening people frameworks, policies, processes, management capability, systems and ways of working to support organisational priorities.
- Lead and develop the People function - Lead, develop and empower the People team, building capability, confidence and ownership while ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, proactive and people-centred service and continuing to strengthen people systems, services and ways of working across the organisation.
- Develop line managers and organisational capability - Partner with line managers across CSE to build confidence, capability and consistency in people management practice.
- Lead people operations, risk and compliance - Lead on complex ER matters, employment law, people policy, safeguarding and people-related risk, ensuring a fair, compliant and values-led approach while maintaining effective people operations and governance.
Other Key Aspects of the role involve:
- Lead digital transformation and workforce insight
- Champion an inclusive and values-led culture
- Safeguarding
About you:
- Experience leading or embedding HR/People systems and using data, reporting and insight to improve employee experience, support decision-making and strengthen organisational effectiveness.
- Exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust quickly, adapt approach to different stakeholders and bring people with them through change.
- Collaborative, pragmatic and comfortable working across competing priorities and organisational needs.
- A collaborative, curious and pragmatic approach, with a genuine interest in understanding organisational challenges and delivering practical, lasting improvements.
- Committed to creating an inclusive, values-led organisation where people can thrive.
- Level 7 CIPD qualification and/or equivalent senior-level People experience.
- Strong judgement, discretion and experience supporting colleagues through sensitive and complex situations.
- Willing and able to undertake safeguarding training.
Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Company pension scheme - 8% employer, 6% employee contributions.
- Flexible TOIL for additional hours worked, which can be taken when needed.
- Hybrid working and flexible hours, with core hours of 10am-4pm (role dependent).
- Access to our benefits platform (Glo), offering discounts, flexible payment options, and a range of optional benefits and services.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Health cash plan (Medicash): offers compensation for a range of medical treatments, including dental check-ups and eye tests.
- Life Assurance.
- Critical illness.
- Enhanced sick pay.
- Weekly yoga classes.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Enhanced maternity and adoption pay.
- Staff socials.
How to apply:
To apply, please click apply and check your emails and complete the application form sent to you. You can also download this from our CSE website. To be considered for this role an application form must be sent to the email address provided. Your application should demonstrate how your skills and experience relate to the person specification on the job description. The closing date for applications is 9am on Monday 3 August 2026. We aim to hold online first interviews w/c Monday 10 August and in person second interviews at our office in Bristol w/c Monday 17 August.
Candidates with the relevant experience or job titles of: Head of Human Resources, People Manager, HR Leader, Senior HR Advisor, HR Specialist, Head Of People, HR Team Leader may also be considered for this role.
Contact Details:
Centre for Sustainable Energy Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of People in Bristol
✨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!
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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 Centre for Sustainable Energy!
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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 Centre for Sustainable Energy.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of People in Bristol
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 Centre for Sustainable Energy. 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 Centre for Sustainable Energy 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 Centre for Sustainable Energy. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Centre for Sustainable Energy'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 Centre for Sustainable Energy
✨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 Centre for Sustainable Energy.
✨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 Centre for Sustainable Energy 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 Centre for Sustainable Energy and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
