At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and lead a people function from scratch in a fast-growing financial planning business.
- Company: Join one of the UK's fastest-growing financial planning firms with ambitious growth targets.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and the chance to shape organisational culture.
- Other info: Rare opportunity to grow into a CPO role within a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by creating career pathways and enhancing employee engagement.
- Qualifications: Experience in building people functions and navigating organisational change.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Build the people infrastructure behind one of the UK's fastest-growing financial planning businesses. Most Head of People opportunities involve inheriting an established function. This one doesn't. Our client is a private equity-backed financial planning group that has grown rapidly through acquisition and now manages several billion pounds of client assets across a national footprint. With further acquisitions planned and ambitious growth targets ahead, the business is entering a new phase of its journey.
The challenge is no longer simply acquiring businesses. It is creating an organisation where people can thrive, leaders can develop, careers can progress and employees across multiple locations feel part of something bigger. As a result, the business is making its first dedicated senior People appointment. This is a rare opportunity to build a people function from the ground up and help shape the future of a highly ambitious organisation.
The Opportunity
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and working closely with the senior leadership team, you will play a key role in building the organisational capability required to support the next phase of growth. This is not a mature corporate environment with large HR teams and established structures already in place. We are looking for someone who enjoys building. Someone who can create structure where there is ambiguity. Someone who is equally comfortable discussing organisational design and leadership capability with the Board as they are helping managers navigate day-to-day people challenges.
You will have the opportunity to:
- Build and lead the organisation's people function and operating framework
- Create clear career pathways and progression opportunities across the business
- Develop leadership and management capability at all levels
- Shape future talent pipelines and early-career development initiatives
- Improve employee engagement and communication across a growing national footprint
- Support the integration of acquired businesses and help create a consistent employee experience
- Establish scalable people processes, frameworks and management disciplines
- Act as a trusted adviser to the leadership team on organisational priorities, capability and culture
This Role Is About More Than HR
The successful individual will become a key member of the senior leadership team and play a significant role in helping the business evolve from a collection of successful acquisitions into a cohesive, scalable organisation. You will help answer questions such as:
- How do we develop future leaders?
- How do we identify and retain high-potential talent?
- How do we create meaningful career opportunities for employees?
- How do we maintain culture as the organisation grows?
- How do we ensure people feel connected, informed and engaged across multiple locations?
- What people infrastructure do we need today and what will we need in three years' time?
This is a strategic role, but it is also highly hands-on. You will be expected to develop the vision and help deliver it.
About You
You may already be operating as a Head of People, HR Director or senior People leader within a growing business. You will likely have experience within a private equity-backed, acquisitive, professional services or high-growth environment where organisational infrastructure needed to evolve alongside rapid expansion. You will bring experience across several of the following areas:
- Building or significantly enhancing a people function
- Organisational development and workforce planning
- Leadership and management development
- Talent, succession and career pathway creation
- Business integration and change management
- Employee engagement and organisational culture
- Supporting executive teams through periods of growth and transformation
Most importantly, you will be commercially minded, pragmatic and comfortable operating in an environment where priorities evolve quickly and no two days look the same.
Why Apply?
Opportunities to build a people function from first principles are rare. Opportunities to do so within an ambitious, well-funded and rapidly growing business are rarer still. This role offers the chance to leave a lasting mark on an organisation's future direction, shape how its people develop and create the foundations required for long-term success. For an individual who enjoys building, influencing and making a tangible impact, this represents an exceptional opportunity. It is the aspiration of the CEO that this person will grow into the CPO before the end of this investment cycle.
For a confidential discussion, please contact Finden Advisory.
Head of People employer: finden advisory
Join one of the UK's fastest-growing financial planning businesses as the Head of People, where you will have the unique opportunity to build a people function from the ground up in a dynamic and supportive environment. With a competitive salary and benefits, this role offers significant career progression opportunities, including the potential to evolve into the Chief People Officer role. The company fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, ensuring that employees feel connected and engaged across multiple locations while contributing to the organisation's ambitious growth journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of People
✨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 finden advisory!
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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 finden advisory.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of People
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 finden advisory. 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 finden advisory 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 finden advisory. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to finden advisory'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 finden advisory
✨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 finden advisory.
✨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 finden advisory 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 finden advisory and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
