Head of People

Howards Motor Group, an award-winning family-owned regional automotive retailer, is seeking an ambitious and commercially minded Head of People to join our leadership team. Representing 14 brands across 27 dealerships throughout Somerset, Dorset and Devon, and employing over 350 colleagues, we have built a reputation for excellence in both customer experience and colleague engagement. Our achievements include securing the #1 Reputation Score in the AM100 for two consecutive years, recognition through the prestigious AM Awards, and achieving Gold accreditation in a manufacturer-led Best Employer in Town assessment, reflecting our commitment to creating an exceptional workplace culture.

As our business continues to grow and evolve, we are creating this brand-new role to lead and develop our people function. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of people, culture and organisational development within a dynamic, agile and expanding business. This role offers genuine scope for progression, with remuneration and responsibility increasing in line with impact, performance and experience. For the right individual, this is an opportunity not simply to manage HR, but to build and influence the people strategy of one of the South West's most respected automotive businesses.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading all HR operations across the Group, ensuring compliance, consistency and best practice.
• Providing expert guidance on employee relations matters, performance management, absence management and organisational change.
• Overseeing payroll processes, ensuring accuracy, efficiency and compliance.
• Developing and delivering recruitment strategies to attract, retain and develop exceptional talent.
• Designing and implementing training, leadership development and succession planning initiatives.
• Supporting managers in building high-performing teams and developing future leaders.
• Driving colleague engagement, wellbeing and retention programmes.
• Ensuring compliance with employment legislation and company policies.
• Developing and embedding a people strategy aligned with the Group's commercial objectives.
• Supporting business growth initiatives, acquisitions and organisational development projects as required.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in a senior HR leadership position, such as Head of People, HR Business Partner, Senior HR Manager or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations.
• Experience overseeing payroll, recruitment and training functions.
• Excellent coaching and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility at all levels of the organisation.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance business needs with colleague experience.
• Experience working within a multi-site, operational or retail environment.
• Minimum CIPD level 5 qualification.
• Exceptional organisational skills, attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem solving.
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across our dealership network when required.

Why Join Team Howards?

We understand that our people are the driving force behind our success, which is why we offer a package designed to support your professional and personal wellbeing:

• Competitive starting salary of £50,000 with future progression opportunities aligned to impact, contribution and development.
• Company Vehicle
• Enhanced Holiday Allowance, including your birthday off and increasing with service.
• Continuous training and career development opportunities.
• Leadership Programme Training.
• Life Assurance Scheme, providing financial security for your loved ones.
• Market Leading Employee Assistance Programme, including Cancer Care support.
• Pension Scheme with a trusted provider.
• Discounted MOT.