Head of People | PE-backed Consumer SME | London in City of London

Our client is a PE-backed consumer business that is investing as heavily in its organisation as it is in its commercial growth. As they enter the next phase of their journey, they are looking for a Head of People to help build the leadership capability, organisational structure and culture needed to support a larger, more complex business.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will be part of the conversations that shape the future of the organisation, not simply responding to them. You will lead an established People team, partner with leaders across the business and have the scope to influence everything from how talent is developed and rewarded to how the organisation is designed for the years ahead.

It is the kind of role that suits someone who enjoys building. Building teams, building capability, building culture and helping a business evolve without losing what made it successful in the first place.

The Role

As Head of People, you will own and deliver the people strategy, ensuring it supports both the immediate needs of the business and its longer-term ambitions. You will act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and leadership team, providing both strategic direction and practical guidance across every aspect of the employee lifecycle.

This is a broad leadership role with genuine visibility. Alongside leading an established People team, you will also oversee the Workplace function, ensuring employees have an exceptional experience from the moment they join through to their ongoing development and progression.

Success in this role will come from balancing strategic thinking with operational excellence. You will know when to step back and shape the bigger picture, but you will also enjoy working closely with your team and the wider business to bring plans to life.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the CEO and senior leadership team to develop and deliver a People strategy that supports the business through its next stage of growth.
• Lead, develop and inspire the People team, creating a high-performing function that is trusted across the organisation.
• Oversee the Workplace team, ensuring employees benefit from an engaging, inclusive and well-run working environment.
• Continue to evolve leadership capability through effective coaching, succession planning and development initiatives.
• Shape organisational design, people processes and policies to ensure they are fit for a growing business.
• Lead the organisation's approach to talent, helping to attract, develop and retain exceptional people.
• Work closely with Learning & Development to build capability across the business and support future leadership needs.

What the Client Would Like to See

• Previous experience leading a People / HR / Talent function within a fast-paced, commercial environment.
• A track record of partnering with executive leadership teams and influencing strategic decision-making.
• Experience leading organisations through growth, transformation or organisational change.
• A progressive leadership style, underpinned by strong emotional intelligence and sound commercial judgement.
• Experience developing high-performing teams and creating cultures where people can perform at their best.

What We’d Like to See

• Experience within retail or a consumer-facing business would be beneficial, although not essential.
• Leads with authenticity, curiosity and emotional intelligence.
• Has a track record of building high-performing teams and developing future leaders.
• Understands how to balance commercial objectives with an exceptional employee experience.
• Has experience reporting into a CEO or Founder directly.

Salary: £85,000-£95,000 + benefits

Location: London (hybrid)

At Harmonic, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and assure you that every candidate will be thoughtfully considered for the roles we represent, without regard to race, religion, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation.