Interim VP - People & Comms

We’re building something powerful. Let’s build it together. We've delivered high-performance embedded computing solutions for four decades across industries including defence, telecoms, and aerospace. We’re proud to be experts in what we do and are looking for more brilliant people to join our team.

This 12-Month FTC maternity cover presents a unique opportunity to provide senior People leadership at a pivotal moment in the organisation’s growth journey. While the business has an established heritage dating back to 1985, the past five years have seen significant transformation, with over 80% of employees joining during this period. Operating in a fast-paced, acquisitive, and high-change environment, this role requires a leader who brings adaptability, curiosity, and a highly collaborative, hands-on approach.

As Interim VP People and Comms, you will play a critical role in shaping and delivering the People and MarCom’s agenda—ensuring the organisation has the capability, structure, and culture needed to achieve its strategic ambitions. This is not a standstill maternity cover; it is a high-impact opportunity to drive meaningful change and leave a lasting legacy during a period of rapid evolution.

Open to candidates based out of Colchester, Essex or our Theale, Reading office.

What will I be delivering?

• Key Requirements:
• Strategic People Leadership
• Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Executive team
• Translate business strategy and current roadmap into clear, pragmatic and progressive people plans. Evolve this as needed in line with the fast changing environment.
• Support organisational design aligned to growth and group structure.
• Organisational Effectiveness & Transformation
• Work closely with the BP’s to review and refine org structure, roles, and accountabilities
• Drive clarity on capabilities required for next-stage growth
• Lead change initiatives (e.g. scaling, integration, or restructuring)
• Oversee executive hiring, ensuring the business attracts and retains top-tier talent
• Drive robust succession planning for critical roles, building depth and resilience across the organisation
• Balance experienced hires with high-potential talent to future-proof the business
• Coach and challenge senior leaders to build capability, performance, and impact
• Culture & Engagement
• Shape and evolve a high-performance, low-ego culture that enables people to thrive
• Embed behaviours that reflect ambition, accountability, and positive energy
• Lead a clear, engaging communication strategy
• Communications & Brand
• Own and deliver a compelling internal and external communications strategy aligned to business priorities
• Continue to evolve the brand in line with growth, culture, and ambition
• Champion authentic storytelling that brings the company’s purpose, values, and culture to life
• HR Operations & Governance
• Ensure core People processes are robust, scalable, and fit for growth (performance, reward, employee relations)
• Provide oversight on risk, compliance, and governance, maintaining a strong operational foundation
• Identify and implement improvements to People systems and infrastructure where needed
• Lead, develop, and inspire the People and Communications team
• Build a function that is commercially focused, highly credible, and delivers real impact across the business

What do I need to bring with me?

• An accomplished People/HR leader operating at VP or Director level, with a track record of leading at pace and scale
• Experience within high-growth, transformation, or scaling environments where change is constant
• Proven success partnering closely with CEOs and Boards, influencing at the highest level
• Comfortable operating in mid-sized, evolving businesses—bringing structure where needed without overcomplicating

The Person:

• Hands-on, pragmatic, and action-oriented—you get things done without getting lost in theory
• Commercially astute, with a strong instinct for aligning People strategy to business outcomes
• Able to zoom out and think strategically, while staying close enough to execution to deliver real impact
• Credible, grounded, and low-ego, with the ability to build trust and influence senior stakeholders
• Energised by building, shaping, and evolving organisations—rather than simply maintaining the status quo

Benefits for working at Concurrent

• 25 days holidays + bank holidays and holiday purchase scheme.
• Annual profit share bonus.
• Cycle to work, Home & Tech and car salary sacrifice schemes.
• Employee assistance programme and virtual GP.
• Enhanced parental leave.
• Generous company pension scheme with up to 10% employer contribution.
• One paid volunteering day per year.
• Private Health Insurance through Bupa.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and believe in the power of a diverse, inclusive team. We welcome all applications from all suitably qualified people, regardless of race, sex, disability, religion / belief, sexual orientation or age. Please let us know if you require anything which would enable your success throughout our interview process.

Security Clearance

Please be aware that certain roles working for Concurrent will be subject to security and export control restrictions. These specific roles are therefore subject to candidates being able to meet BPSS level pre-employment screening criteria.

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