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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global HR strategies and foster a diverse, inclusive workplace culture.
- Company: Join a values-driven international organisation making a global impact.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of people strategy in a dynamic, international environment.
- Qualifications: Senior HR leadership experience and expert knowledge of employment legislation.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to influence change and support a high-performing team.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: London – Hybrid (3 days p/w in office)
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
Are you an accomplished HR leader with extensive international experience? The ITF is looking for a Director of People & Culture to head the department from our London headquarters, overseeing people operations and strategic workforce planning across 12 regional offices globally.
About the Role
As Director of People & Culture, you will lead the full breadth of the People & Culture portfolio, including workforce planning, global employee relations and compliance, payroll, pensions, benefits, recruitment, learning and development, policy development, and diversity, equity & inclusion. You will set the strategic direction for the P&C team, oversee governance and compliance and financial planning across multiple jurisdictions, and partner closely with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure the department supports organisational goals. This role requires a balance of strategic insight, operational oversight, and the ability to lead effectively in a complex, unionised, international environment. You will also act as a trusted adviser on employment law, organisational change, and policy development across our global offices.
Key responsibilities include:
- Global Workforce Planning: Lead workforce modelling, resourcing strategies, and financial planning for all established roles, ensuring accurate reporting and alignment with organisational priorities.
- HR Operations & Compliance: Oversee payroll, pensions, benefits, and employee-related financial processes. Ensure compliance with employment legislation across the UK and all regional hubs, maintaining robust HR governance and data integrity.
- Employee Relations: Provide senior oversight on complex global employee relations issues, including disciplinary, grievance, and conflict resolution matters. Liaise with unions, staff committees, and external legal advisers.
- Policy Leadership: Lead policy development in line with evolving legislation and organisational needs, ensuring a strong focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion. Support negotiations with union representatives.
- Recruitment & Talent: Develop global recruitment strategy, champion inclusive and equitable hiring practices, and support managers in delivering high-quality onboarding and talent development.
- Change Management: Lead on organisational change initiatives, including restructures and major transformation projects.
- Culture, DEI & Learning: Champion a diverse and inclusive culture, oversee the learning and development strategy, and ensure an effective performance and development review cycle.
- Leadership of the P&C Team: Provide strategic direction, coaching, and leadership to the P&C team, fostering collaboration, professional growth, and high-quality service delivery.
About You
You’re an accomplished HR leader with a strong record of delivering impactful people strategies in complex, international environments. You combine deep technical knowledge with the strategic capability to influence, shape, and lead across a global organisation.
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- Senior HR leadership experience: A strong track record in leading P&C functions and delivering strategic HR initiatives internationally.
- Expert knowledge of employment legislation: In-depth understanding of UK employment law and the legal frameworks of ITF’s regional hubs, with the ability to anticipate future legislative changes.
- Strong employee relations and policy expertise: Experience supporting unionised environments and developing policies that advance fairness, compliance, and inclusion.
- Financial and strategic planning capability: Experience in workforce costings, HR financial planning, and compensation and benefits strategy on a global scale.
- Change leadership skills: Proven ability to lead organisational change and support leaders and teams through transformation.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills: Ability to engage confidently with stakeholders at all levels and act with discretion, professionalism, and integrity.
- Professional qualifications: Degree-level education and CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent experience); chartered status desirable.
Why Join Us?
This is an exciting opportunity to lead a global People & Culture function within a values-driven international organisation. You will shape our people strategy, strengthen our culture, and ensure we continue to be a supportive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace for staff around the world.
Director of People & Culture employer: International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF)
Contact Detail:
International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of People & Culture
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission, especially in areas like diversity, equity, and inclusion.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your leadership style and how you've successfully managed people operations in complex environments. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of People & Culture
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Director of People & Culture role. Highlight your international HR experience and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to lead in complex environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Be sure to mention your expertise in employee relations and policy development.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership style. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams or initiatives in the past, especially in diverse and unionised settings. We want to see how you inspire and motivate others!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s the best way to stay updated on your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF)
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK employment law and the legal frameworks of the ITF’s regional hubs. Being able to discuss recent changes or challenges in legislation will show that you're not just familiar with the basics, but that you’re proactive and engaged with the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led HR initiatives in complex, international environments. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you navigated them, especially in unionised settings. This will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively and inspire confidence in your leadership skills.
✨Emphasise Diversity and Inclusion
Since this role focuses heavily on DEI, come prepared with ideas on how to champion a diverse and inclusive culture. Share past experiences where you’ve implemented successful strategies or policies that advanced fairness and inclusion within an organisation.
✨Engage with the Senior Leadership Team
Be ready to discuss how you would partner with the Senior Leadership Team to align the People & Culture strategy with organisational goals. Think about how you can contribute to financial planning and workforce modelling, and be prepared to ask insightful questions about their vision for the future.
