At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire our people strategy to drive social impact and growth.
- Company: Join Hampshire Cultural Trust, a charity transforming lives through culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, generous pension, and health perks.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a vibrant cultural environment.
- Qualifications: Proven HR leadership experience in complex sectors.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 75000 £ per year.
Hampshire Cultural Trust runs 20 museums, galleries and arts centres across the county, caring for 2.5 million historic objects and welcoming over 750k visitors a year. We use culture to genuinely improve people’s lives through social impact programmes, community partnerships, work with children and young people, and experiences that improve health and wellbeing. We are an independent charity with regional scale, a bold 2030 growth strategy, and a simple but powerful purpose: to change lives through culture.
With our Make your Mark employer brand and our HCT 2030 strategy now established, we need an exceptional Director of People and Culture to lead our most important asset – our people. You will work at the heart of our executive team, helping 170 employees and 500 volunteers thrive, grow and make their mark.
A bit about you
- Shape Strategy: Align our people strategy with HCT 2030 – supporting social impact, commercial growth and fundraising ambitions in equal measure.
- Empower Leaders: Coach senior executives and managers to build resilient, customer‑centric, high‑performing teams.
- Drive Experience: Develop our full talent lifecycle, from onboarding, continuous engagement and personal development and continue to build our employer brand.
- Nurture Well‑Being: Safeguard employee mental health, manage balanced workloads, and ensure a fulfilling work environment.
- Deliver Basic Building Blocks of HR: Ensure legal compliance and robust governance of our policies and standard operating practices, balancing this with the continued development of our employee and volunteer ‘offer’.
We need a:
- Strategic Leader: Proven success managing HR at a senior or director level within a complex, customer‑facing or charitable sector, able to be an active participant in our executive leadership team and Trustee board.
- Commercially Minded: Comfortable blending mission‑led, charitable values with agile, commercial growth strategies.
- Inspirational Communicator: Exceptional relationship builder skilled at collaborating with executives, trustees, and diverse frontline staff.
- Culture Builder: Expert in talent development and employee engagement.
- Subject Matter Expert: In HR, learning and development, and staff engagement.
Ready to Make your Mark? To find out more, you can view our 2030 strategy at HCT 2030 | Hampshire Cultural Trust and explore details of working for the Hampshire Culture Trust at Work for us | Hampshire Cultural Trust.
Who we are
At Hampshire Cultural Trust we have a vision to create inspirational culture experiences that enrich and transform lives. We manage and support 20 attractions and deliver county‑wide outreach programmes that bring great culture to local communities. We also deliver a diverse range of wider social impact initiatives targeted at those who are most vulnerable or disadvantaged and who would not usually have access to arts and culture. We promote equity, inclusion and diversity and a culture that actively values difference. We recognise that people from different backgrounds and experiences can enhance the way we perform and work and we encourage and support the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all our staff. We are inclusive, valuing, and respectful of diversity, developing the ability to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Therefore, we are committed to implementing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities in our recruitment process and in employment.
The benefits of working for us
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (pro‑rated for part‑time working)
- 7.5% Employer pension contributions
- Generous occupational maternity, adoption and paternity pay
- Enhanced occupational sick pay
- Generous compassionate leave scheme
- Paid emergency leave
- Industry leading Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to same‑day GP appointments for employees and their immediate family
- Octopus Electric Vehicle Lease Scheme (terms and conditions apply)
- Life assurance scheme (x3 annual salary)
- Interest‑free Season ticket loans and travel loans from first day of employment
- Charity Worker Discounts Scheme (savings on retail, leisure, groceries, travel etc.)
- Access to free eye tests and vouchers towards glasses for VDU use
- Free flu vaccination vouchers
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Health Cash Plan (cashback on dental, optical, medical for monthly subscription cost)
- Opportunities to learn, develop and progress
- Free tea and coffee
- Team Card – Free access to venues for friends and family, and discounts across café and retail.
To apply please fill in the application form with an up‑to‑date CV. We would encourage a covering letter for this position around your context for applying and why you would excel in the position.
Closing date for applications: 19 June 2026
Shortlist and Screening Interviews: w/c 23 June and 29 July 2026
Proposed Initial Interview date: 15 and 16 July 2026
Proposed Final Interview date: 27 July 2026
To find out more about us visit our website www.hampshireculture.org.uk and https://careers.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk/ If you have any queries relating to the recruitment process, please call our enquiries line on 01962 396678 or email people@hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk
Director of People in Winchester employer: Hct
Hampshire Cultural Trust is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees, offering a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. With generous benefits such as 25 days of annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for personal growth, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles while making a meaningful impact on the community through culture. Located in Winchester, the Trust fosters a collaborative environment where creativity and social responsibility intersect, making it an ideal place for those looking to make their mark in the charitable sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of People in Winchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at Hampshire Cultural Trust. Building relationships can give you insider info and might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the organisation's culture and values, especially their 2030 strategy. Show them how your experience aligns with their mission to change lives through culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to showcase your leadership skills. Think of examples where you've empowered teams or driven engagement. They want to see how you can inspire others and build a positive work environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Hampshire Cultural Trust family.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of People in Winchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Director of People role. Highlight your experience in HR, leadership, and any relevant achievements that align with our mission at Hampshire Cultural Trust.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for culture and how your skills can help us achieve our 2030 strategy. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:In your application, emphasise your leadership style and how you empower teams. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and build resilient, high-performing teams, so make sure to include examples!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you can find more info about our values and culture there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hct
✨Know the Mission
Before your interview, dive deep into Hampshire Cultural Trust's mission and values. Understand how they use culture to improve lives and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows genuine interest and helps you connect your background to their purpose.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Director of People, your leadership style is crucial. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to empower leaders and build high-performing teams. Think about specific situations where you've coached executives or managed diverse teams, and be ready to share these stories.
✨Discuss Employee Well-Being
Well-being is a key focus for this role. Be prepared to talk about your strategies for safeguarding employee mental health and creating a fulfilling work environment. Share any initiatives you've led that improved workplace culture or employee engagement.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about their 2030 strategy, team dynamics, and how they measure success in employee engagement. This not only shows your interest but also helps you assess if the role is the right fit for you.
