Great British Energy - Human Resources Director

Great British Energy (GBE) is a publicly owned energy company, created to accelerate the deployment of clean energy technologies and to ensure UK taxpayers, billpayers, communities and the energy workforce reap the benefits of a clean and secure energy system.

About the Role

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the HR Director will be responsible for developing the new organisation and delivering across all aspects of its people agenda. The role requires an individual who has experience in setting up new HR functions and/or organisations, developing a workforce and culture to best enable a new organisation to deliver. This role will require close working with others in Great British Energy and its partners (such as The Crown Estate) to ensure efficient use of capabilities and clear responsibilities and accountabilities are in place, as well as a close working relationship with the DESNZ policy, HR and sponsor teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with the Board and Executive team to establish and lead a high performing HR function, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.
• As part of the Great British Energy leadership team, shape the development of the company’s strategy, culture, values and operating model.
• Set direction, lead and drive cultural and organisational change across the organisation, role‑modeling behaviours in line with Great British Energy’s desired culture and values.
• Lead Great British Energy’s engagement with our workforce, ensuring people‑related communications are effective and punctual to keep staff informed.
• Act as a key advisor to the Chair, Board and Executive team on HR matters.
• Deliver expert opinion, impartial robust advice and support on all people related issues including capacity and capability, diversity and inclusion, cultural and organisational change and well‑being matters to the Great British Energy and leadership team.
• Promote and sustain effective compliance with appropriate employment legislation, public sector guidance and other relevant policies throughout the organisation.
• Provide HR expertise in the setup of the new organisation, utilising best practice to ensure Great British Energy has effective structures, workforce size and shape, culture and capabilities.
• Set and monitor relevant people targets, ensuring the team delivers against Great British Energy’s strategic objectives.
• Empower, coach and manage the team and others to develop organisational capability and promote effective succession planning and talent management across the organisation.
• Lead and maintain effective oversight of provision of services by third‑party suppliers relating to HR services e.g. through our Integrated Corporate Services provider including pay, pensions and employee assistance and welfare programmes.
• Lead engagement and relationship management with Trade Unions to support a positive employee relations environment.
• Lead on the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy for the organisation, including reporting and monitoring of progress and engagement with stakeholders.
• Establish strong working relationships with DESNZ Director of HR and act as interface where sponsorship support is required on HR matters.
• Develop and report on people‑related KPIs, supporting GBE’s Impact and Performance Framework and transparent reporting of workforce outcomes.
• Lead on HR evaluation and continuous improvement, ensuring feedback and data drive ongoing enhancement of people policies and practices.
• Champion people change management through GBE’s rapid growth and TOM implementation, supporting leaders and staff through organisational transitions.
• Embed sustainability, ESG and well‑being into all aspects of people strategy, policies and culture.
• Support digital transformation in HR, leveraging technology and data analytics to drive efficiency, insight and a modern employee experience.

Person specification

Essential experience and skills

• A proven track record of successful leadership experience at HR Director level and ability to work as part of a senior executive leadership team to provide organisational leadership, direction and strategic focus.
• Provides authentic, inclusive, inspiring and visible leadership of the function and wider organisation, with ability to lead and develop a diverse multi‑disciplinary staff through continual improvement and transformational change.
• Proven ability to influence and build strong credible relationships with colleagues, external partners and senior stakeholders.
• Evidence of delivering improved organisational performance and cultural change against a backdrop of innovation and change whilst promoting inclusivity.
• Passionate about the Company and its policy objectives to deliver clean energy, drive economic growth, create UK jobs and supply chains and provide value for the UK taxpayer, whilst demonstrating a passion for creating societal impact and value.
• Hold membership of a chartered professional body relevant to the HR Director role (e.g., CIPD) at level 5 or above.
• Experience of setting up HR Functions and/or new organisations and leading organisational change programmes.
• Experience or knowledge within the energy industry.