People & Culture Lead

People & Culture Lead

Full-Time 47000 - 52000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Global Canopy

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead people and culture initiatives to empower our team and drive impact for forests and nature.
  • Company: Join Global Canopy, a non-profit dedicated to ending deforestation and promoting accountability.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 36 days holiday, hybrid working, and a competitive salary with great perks.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team making global impacts while working flexibly from home and Oxford.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in a mission-driven organisation focused on climate and human rights.
  • Qualifications: Experience in HR management and a passion for developing a thriving organisational culture.

The predicted salary is between 47000 - 52000 £ per year.

About Us

Global Canopy is a data-driven not for profit delivering real transparency and accountability for market impacts on nature and people. Our special focus is on ending deforestation – an essential step in achieving urgent global goals on climate, nature and human rights. We deliver our work by building and maintaining open-data platforms, creating stronger voluntary and compliance frameworks, and accelerating accountability and action in the finance sector with nature-positive guidance to help achieve deforestation-free portfolios. We work globally, with a focus on both forested regions (particularly across Latin America and South East Asia), and major consumer and financial markets (with a focus on Europe, the US, Singapore and China). We have a distributed team of around 70 people worldwide, with a main office in Oxford (UK).

About the Role

As People and Culture Lead, reporting to the Director of Execution & Planning, you will be responsible for the development of the People function at Global Canopy. Providing advice and support to the Leadership Team and colleagues across the organisation, you will lead on people and culture initiatives that enable our team to maximise their potential, resulting in greater impact as an organisation.

You will bring excellent relationship-building and influencing skills as well as strong technical expertise to ensure that we can recruit, retain, develop, support and engage the people we rely on to deliver our vital work for forests, nature and human rights. You will manage all aspects of team members' journey with the organisation, including recruitment, performance and development, employee relations and pay and benefits.

We are looking for someone who leads with empathy and wisdom, putting individuals at the heart of their work.

Responsibilities

  • Employee life cycle management
  • Be responsible for the creation, maintenance, evolution and operation of all HR policies, processes and systems
  • Work closely with the leadership team and internal boards on areas such as recruitment, performance, learning and development, absence, salaries/benefits, job grading and employee engagement
  • Ensure the ongoing development of our P&C offering is aligned with our culture
  • Support & advice to leaders and managers
  • Build strong working relationships with the leadership team in order to support them directly
  • Provide coaching, guidance and support to managers ensuring that our people are supported to thrive and develop
  • Advise on people issues and managing cases, to ensure that processes are followed in line with Global Canopy's policy, best practice and employment legislation
  • Support delivery of Global Canopy's People plan
  • Alongside the Director of Execution & Planning, drive the implementation of people initiatives and be responsible for the successful embedding of changes
  • Lead on connection and collaboration initiatives to build a cohesive, highly motivated team in line with Global Canopy's culture and in the context of hybrid working
  • Provide reports and maintain KPIs related to our people and present these to senior leaders and trustees

Management

  • Line management of People and Recruitment Advisor, supporting them in their management of recruitment for Global Canopy, and providing coaching and mentoring to support their ongoing development
  • Manage the relationship with our EOR
  • Alongside the Director of Execution & Planning and Operations Coordinator, provide leadership on data protection across the organisation

Requirements

To be successful in this role, these are the things that will matter the most:

  • People-first and positive approach to HR management
  • Broad experience of managing human resources work across organisations, with a good understanding of HR procedures and legislation in the UK
  • Alignment with our values and our mission, a commitment to collaboration and a passion for developing an organisational culture in which people thrive

Essential behavioural competencies:

  • Leading with warmth
  • Credibility as both structured and effective as well as emotionally intelligent
  • Able to handle difficult situations sensitively and confidentially
  • Initiative and ability to manage and prioritise own workload, working to deadlines
  • Creativity

Skills and experience:

  • Significant experience in all aspects of employee lifecycle management
  • CIPD level 5 or equivalent experience
  • Strong understanding of UK employment law and best practice
  • Experience and expertise to support in the areas of diversity and inclusion, learning and development and employee wellbeing and engagement in a hybrid context
  • Experience of working in an advisory capacity with leadership teams and regularly reporting to senior leaders and trustees
  • Ability to take a leadership role in change projects
  • Experience of working across different departments/functions in a matrixed and international organisation
  • Experience of working internationally with employees based outside the UK - and covered by non-UK law
  • Experience or understanding of the context for a charity / not for profit organisation

Benefits

  • Salary: £55,000- £60,000 full time equivalent. This role sits within Band C on Global Canopy's remuneration framework.
  • Nature of contract: Full time or 0.8 FTE. Permanent. This is a hybrid role working from home and our office in Oxford. There is a requirement to attend the office once a week and for other meetings/work as required.
  • Holidays: 36 days (including bank/public holidays) for discretionary use across the annual leave year. Option to purchase up to an additional 5 days or equivalent of one week's leave.
  • Pension: Employer pension contribution of 8%.
  • Healthcare cashback plan: Covering dental fees, eye-care, wellbeing, physiotherapy, chiropody and much more – for you and any children.
  • Employee Assistance Programme: Which provides free, confidential advice on personal and legal matters.
  • Other: Huge range of discounts and cashback deals at gyms, restaurants, holidays, and much more.

How to Apply

To apply for the position, please follow the instructions and submit an up-to date CV and covering letter. The covering letter should explain your motivation for the role, and how your skills and experience fit the person specification. (Please no more than 1 side of A4).

All candidates are asked to complete an anonymous diversity monitoring form when they apply. The closing date for applications is 23 February at 9am GMT. Early application encouraged. We may close applications early if suitable candidates are identified. First round interviews are planned for w/c 23 February via video call, and final interviews are planned for w/c 2 March in-person at our Oxford office.

At Global Canopy, we value diversity and inclusion. You can read our diversity statement on our website. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and are committed to having a team with a diverse set of skills, experiences and abilities. Global Canopy works on issues of global deforestation. We are particularly interested in strengthening our team to include those with a background from forest regions such as Latin America and South East Asia. We would welcome applications from people from these regions. Right-to-work in the UK is required. If you have any questions about the position, then please contact: Applicant data will be managed in accordance with the candidate privacy policy available on our website.

People & Culture Lead employer: Global Canopy

Global Canopy is an exceptional employer that prioritises a people-first culture, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the field of HR. Located in the vibrant city of Oxford, employees benefit from a hybrid working model, generous holiday allowances, and a strong commitment to professional development, ensuring a fulfilling career path. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, Global Canopy fosters an inclusive environment where every team member can thrive and contribute to the organisation's mission.

Global Canopy

Contact Details:

Global Canopy Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land People & Culture Lead

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to Global Canopy. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's values and mission. Show us how your experience aligns with our goals on deforestation and human rights – we love candidates who are passionate about our cause!

Tip Number 3

Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led people initiatives in the past. We want to hear about your successes and how you’ve made a positive impact in previous roles.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Global Canopy.

We think you need these skills to ace People & Culture Lead

Employee Lifecycle Management
HR Policy Development
Recruitment and Selection
Performance Management
Learning and Development
Employee Relations
UK Employment Law

Some tips for your application 🫡

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to express your motivation for the role and how your skills align with what we're looking for. Keep it concise – no more than one side of A4, please!

Tailor Your CV:Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to highlight your experience in HR management and how it relates to our mission at Global Canopy. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for the People & Culture Lead role.

Show Your Values:We’re all about people-first approaches and collaboration. In your application, reflect on how your values align with ours. We want to see that you’re passionate about creating a thriving organisational culture!

Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to apply! We encourage early applications as we might close the process if we find suitable candidates. Head over to our website and get your application in!

How to prepare for a job interview at Global Canopy

Know the Mission

Before your interview, dive deep into Global Canopy's mission and values. Understand their focus on ending deforestation and how it ties into human rights and climate goals. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you align your answers with their core objectives.

Showcase Your People Skills

As a People & Culture Lead, relationship-building is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully influenced and supported teams in previous roles. Highlight your experience in managing employee relations and fostering a positive workplace culture to demonstrate your fit for the role.

Be Ready for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in HR scenarios. Think about past challenges you've faced, particularly in areas like recruitment or employee engagement, and be ready to discuss how you handled them effectively while keeping the team’s wellbeing in mind.

Prepare Thoughtful Questions

At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Use this opportunity to inquire about their current people initiatives or how they measure employee engagement. This shows your proactive approach and genuine interest in contributing to their mission.