At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the People function through organisational change and shape our culture strategy.
- Company: Join Helen & Douglas House, the world's first children's hospice, making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £80,000, hybrid working options, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all community areas.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on local families while leading transformative people strategies.
- Qualifications: Director-level experience in HR/People with strong employment law expertise required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Oxford is the primary location, with some opportunity for hybrid working.
Salary: £80,000 per annum
Closing date: 12th June 2026 12 noon
Help shape the future of the world's first children's hospice and make a lasting difference to local families. We are seeking an experienced Interim Director of People & Culture to join our Executive Team during a significant period of organisational change. This is a unique opportunity to shape our people strategy, culture and organisational design while ensuring we continue to deliver compassionate, high-quality services to those who need us most.
Main duties of the job:
- Provide strategic people leadership to the organisational operating model review, ensuring and assuring an effective and legally compliant process to deliver positive outcomes.
- Lead and implement an organisational review of terms and conditions of employment to ensure consistency and fairness as far as practicable.
- Develop and implement an organisational culture strategy aligned with organisational objectives and strategic priorities.
About us: Helen & Douglas House is a registered hospice charity based in Oxford, providing palliative, respite, end-of-life and bereavement care to life-limited children and their families. We foster a climate where team members feel able to openly question, debate and appropriately challenge their own and the practice of others; as such, we welcome new ideas and strive to constantly improve our delivery of care to our patients. Please note that everyone working for Helen & Douglas House are required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Helen & Douglas House is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We are an equal opportunities employer and value the benefits of a diverse workforce. We positively encourage applications from all areas of the community.
Job responsibilities:
- Reporting to the CEO and as part of the Executive Team, you'll lead the People function through a period of organisational change.
- Lead and deliver key organisational change, including operating model and workforce reviews.
- Develop and embed a clear, values-led culture and people strategy.
- Act as a trusted adviser to the CEO, Executive Team and Board, providing expert insight on people, culture and organisational design.
- Ensure effective, compliant people practices while strengthening capability across staff and volunteers.
Who we're looking for:
- You are a credible, experienced people leader who delivers impact at pace.
- Director level experience in HR/People/Organisational Development with complex environments.
- Proven track record of leading transformation and shaping organisational culture.
- Strong employment law expertise with the ability to influence at Executive and Board Level.
- CIPD Level 7, CIPD Chartered Membership or equivalent (CIPD Chartered Fellow desirable).
- A pragmatic, collaborative and values led approach.
Person Specification:
Knowledge and skills:
- Proven leadership of multi-disciplinary teams, including HR, L&D, and organisational transformation.
- Strong professional credibility in employment law and HR best practice.
- Strategic thinker with a strong track record of operational delivery and leading people-focused change.
- Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to shape organisational culture and lead sustainable organisational change.
- Innovative, ambitious, and digitally competent.
Qualifications:
- Professionally qualified in Human Resources Management with either CIPD Level 7, CIPD Chartered Membership, or equivalent.
- Professional qualification as a CIPD Chartered Fellow.
Experience:
- Senior leadership experience, at a Director or equivalent level, in People & Culture, HR, or Organisational Design & Development within complex or multi-site organisations.
- Demonstrable experience of leading significant change or transformational projects across medium-sized organisations.
- Demonstrable experience of operating successfully as an interim and/or fixed term post to deliver at pace.
- Experience of charity, healthcare or hospice sectors.
- Experience with large volunteer workforces.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Interim Director of People & Culture employer: Helen & Douglas House
Helen & Douglas House is an exceptional employer located in Oxford, offering a unique opportunity to lead and shape the People & Culture strategy within a compassionate and dedicated team. With a strong commitment to employee development, a supportive work culture that values diverse perspectives, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of local families, this role promises both professional growth and personal fulfilment. The organisation fosters an environment where innovation is encouraged, ensuring that every team member can contribute to the continuous improvement of care services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Director of People & Culture
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the charity and healthcare sectors. Let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities like the Interim Director of People & Culture role. You never know who might have the inside scoop or can put in a good word for you!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Helen & Douglas House thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent changes. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in shaping their people strategy.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate how your experience aligns with the role's requirements. Highlight your leadership in HR and organisational change, and don’t forget to showcase your strong employment law expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Helen & Douglas House and making a difference in the lives of local families.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Director of People & Culture
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in people leadership and organisational change. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Helen & Douglas House!
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your previous roles, focus on the impact you've made in shaping culture and leading transformation. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to deliver results in complex environments.
Be Authentic:We value a collaborative and values-led approach, so let your personality shine through in your application. Share your passion for making a difference in the lives of children and families, as this is at the heart of what we do.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. This helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Helen & Douglas House
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of Interim Director of People & Culture. Familiarise yourself with Helen & Douglas House's mission, values, and recent changes in their organisational structure. This will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led teams through change. Highlight your strategic thinking and ability to influence at the executive level. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and make them impactful.
✨Cultural Fit is Key
Understand the importance of culture in this role. Be ready to discuss how you would develop and implement a culture strategy that aligns with their objectives. Share your thoughts on fostering an open environment where team members can challenge practices and share ideas.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions that show your understanding of the challenges they face. Inquire about their current people strategy, how they measure success in cultural transformation, and what support they expect from you as a leader. This demonstrates your proactive approach and genuine interest in contributing to their mission.
