Head of HR & Volunteering

Full time, permanent position based on site at Eden. The Eden Project is an education charity, whose mission is to inspire wonder, hope and positive action for the planet by reconnecting people with the natural world. We are looking for an experienced HR professional to join us at an exciting time. This role will be key in supporting and developing our team for our next stage of growth. You will also play a key role in the people strategy for our new site in Morecambe, opening in 2028.

We currently have a core team of around 350 employees, growing to up to 500 during our peak season. We are also supported by around 80 volunteers at the heart of everything we do. The role will cover all aspects of the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, employee relations, reward and benefits, and employee wellbeing. You will also implement the volunteering strategy and support the growth of our volunteering programme.

As well as being a trusted advisor to our leadership team, you will also be required to be hands-on, supported by a small team. It is essential that you are organised as this is a varied role requiring you to be adaptable to respond to changing demands. If you’re an experienced HR professional who is looking to make a difference at one of Cornwall’s most well-known charities, we would love to hear from you!

Some of the benefits of working at the Eden Project include:

• Free entry to Eden and Heligan for family and friends
• 30 days holiday plus an extra day for your birthday (up to 35 days after 5 years service)
• Access to Simply Health and UNUM for wellbeing support
• Financial wellbeing support – access to 121 sessions with an independent financial advisor
• Cycle to work scheme
• Training and development
• Option to ‘purchase leave’, up to an extra 2 weeks a year
• Death in service policy (4 x annual salary)

First stage interviews will be held in person on site at the Eden Project on Friday 24th April. The closing date for this position is Friday 17th April.

Role Purpose: To lead and manage the Eden People Team to deliver a professional Human Resources and volunteering function in line with Eden’s mission and requirements for operational and project activities. To take responsibility for the People agenda within Eden and associated support requirements to enable effective delivery within the project. Provide guidance, support and up-to-date mechanisms that allow managers to understand their people management responsibilities effectively.

Key Accountabilities:

• Develop, manage and lead the HR and Volunteer teams to be efficient and effective using the resources available to them, setting clear objectives and monitoring their achievement without affecting the service provided.
• As a member of the Senior Leadership Group (SLG), and reporting to the General Manager, be an influential voice in the development and delivery of the Eden Project, modelling the behaviour required of Eden Leaders to develop and take their teams forward successfully.
• Provide advice and support to the Senior Management team on HR and Volunteering policy, direction, strategy in line with the overarching organisational strategic framework.
• Ensure that policies are regularly reviewed and updated or new policies introduced as required.
• Manage the day-to-day HR processes from start to termination, ensuring that appropriate training is in place to support the Eden Management Team to deliver these processes effectively within their areas.
• Responsible for managing employee relation issues and support managers through this process, liaising with outside counsel as necessary.
• Ensuring that all grievance and disciplinary procedures are completed in line with Eden’s policy and UK/European legislation.
• Ensure that employee wellbeing is high on the agenda and regularly reviewing benefits and support that Eden offers to its team to ensure that the team remain engaged and fit through their time working with Eden.
• Provide coaching and mentoring support for the HR/Volunteer team and build a mentoring/coaching culture within the wider Eden team ensuring that developmental practices are in place through learning programmes (apprenticeships/ILM, etc.)

Demands of the Role: Qualified to bachelor degree level or equivalent in an appropriate field (human resource management, business management), and a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development. Proven successful leadership and management of multi-disciplinary HR teams, which will have been gained over 5+ years’ operating at a senior level. Experience of preparing and controlling large budgets, identifying and developing company procedures, developing training opportunities to enhance team performance and morale along with excellent planning, organisation and communication skills are essential.

Decision-making: The majority of decisions are short and medium term, where judgements of decision will not become apparent for some time, but will have a considerable impact on the business. Reports to the Director of Finance and Central Operations and is part of the Senior Leadership Group, part of the strategic decision-making process.

People & asset management: Leads and manages a direct team of up to 5 who deliver all the people related services. Responsibility for the Eden volunteer team of up to 150 volunteers at any one time. Budget sign off of £7,500.

Communication & visitor experience: Frequently manages highly complex and sensitive information, this often means managing highly complex situations through negotiation and influencing. Highly developed inter-personal skills are essential to ensure effective delivery across diverse teams and at all levels, ranging from Board level to leading and inspiring the operational team.

Operational environment: Predominantly office based with time on site on a regular basis.