Head of HR in Newcastle upon Tyne

We are looking for an ambitious and forward-thinking Head of HR to lead, shape, and develop our HR function as the business continues to grow. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to make a genuine impact, building HR foundations, developing people initiatives, and becoming a key strategic partner for the organisation.

The role is ideal for someone who is confident operating both strategically and hands-on, with experience across recruitment, employee relations, HR policy creation, development pathways, and organisational culture. You will work with a workforce that includes both employed staff and consultants across a multi-faceted business, requiring a strong understanding of operational needs and a practical, solutions-focused approach.

This role will grow as the company grows, making it an exciting step for someone ready to take ownership of a full HR function.

• Strategic HR Leadership
  • Build, lead, and develop the HR function, establishing scalable processes and policies that support business growth.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to leadership on people strategy, workforce planning, and organisational development.
• Recruitment & Talent Acquisition
  • Manage full-cycle recruitment, from job scoping and advertising to interviewing and onboarding.
  • Develop recruitment strategies to attract top talent for both employed and consultancy roles.
  • Establish talent pipelines and succession planning processes.
• People Policies & Compliance
  • Create, review, and implement HR policies, procedures, and employee handbooks in line with UK employment law.
  • Ensure compliance with legislation, HR best practice, and internal governance.
• Employee Relations
  • Provide guidance and support on complex employee relations matters including grievances, performance, and conduct.
  • Lead on conflict resolution, mediation, and positive employee engagement practices.
• Learning, Development & Career Pathways
  • Design and implement development programmes to support employee growth and progression.
  • Establish clear career pathways and competency frameworks.
• Absence & Performance Management
  • Monitor absence trends, support managers in managing attendance effectively, and promote wellbeing initiatives.
  • Develop performance management frameworks that support accountability and growth.
• Operational HR Support
  • Work closely with operational leaders to understand workforce needs and provide practical, business-focused HR solutions.
  • Support day-to-day HR administration and processes while building the team and structure required for the future.
• Culture & Engagement
  • Support the development of a positive, inclusive, high-performing culture.
  • Lead engagement initiatives that strengthen morale, retention, and collaboration.

• Experience in an HR Manager, Senior HR Advisor, or equivalent role with readiness to step up into a Head of HR position.
• Strong understanding of UK employment law, HR best practices, and employee relations.
• Experience working across multi-discipline or multi-site businesses (desirable).
• Proven ability to write, implement, and maintain HR policies and procedures.
• Demonstrable experience managing recruitment, onboarding, and performance management processes.
• Confident working with both consultants and employed staff.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, challenge, and collaborate with senior stakeholders.

• Proactive, adaptable, and able to work independently.
• Passionate about building processes, not just maintaining them.
• Strong communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
• Approachable, fair, and committed to employee wellbeing.
• Ambitious and excited by the opportunity to grow a team and a function.