At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead people and culture initiatives to shape a positive workplace environment.
- Company: Join Kinect Services, a growing business focused on SEN transport and care services.
- Benefits: Flexible part-time hours with the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth in a dynamic, collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Be a key player in transforming workplace culture and leadership.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR and people leadership; CIPD qualification is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
A CIPD qualification is welcomed but is not essential for the right candidate.
Location: Based at the head office of Kinect Services Limited in Rayleigh
Reporting To: Managing Director
Direct Reports: Recruitment & Compliance Manager (plus wider oversight of the Recruitment & Compliance function)
Working Arrangement: Part-Time / Fractional Approx. 2–3 days per week initially, with flexibility for the right candidate.
About Kinect Services Limited
Kinect Services Limited is a growing operational business specialising in:
- SEN transport
- Domiciliary care
- Related passenger transport services
As the business continues to scale, we are entering an important phase of organisational development focused on:
- Improving operational consistency
- Strengthening leadership capability
- Developing clearer ownership and accountability
- Enhancing communication across teams
- Continuing to build a positive, collaborative culture
We are seeking an experienced People & Culture Lead to support and guide the next stage of this journey.
The Opportunity
This is not a traditional HR administration role. We are looking for a commercially aware and people-focused leader who can operate as a trusted partner to the senior leadership team, helping the business professionalise and strengthen its:
- Organisational structure
- Leadership capability
- Workplace culture
- Communication and accountability
- Onboarding and employee experience
- Long-term organisational scalability
The successful candidate will support both operational and strategic priorities, helping the organisation navigate growth and change in a pragmatic, collaborative, and people-centred way. This is a genuine opportunity to help shape the future direction of a growing business.
Key Responsibilities
People & Culture
- Support the continued development of a positive, collaborative, and accountable workplace culture
- Help embed consistent management practices and behaviours across the organisation
- Support leadership with organisational development and change initiatives
- Develop frameworks that improve communication, engagement, feedback, accountability, and management consistency
Leadership & Management Support
- Coach and support operational managers with day-to-day people management
- Performance management
- Difficult conversations
- Absence management
- Employee relations matters
- Help strengthen leadership capability and management confidence across the organisation
Organisational Development
- Support the development of clearer organisational structures, ownership, and accountability
- Assist with role clarity, onboarding frameworks, progression pathways, and management processes
- Identify organisational risks, bottlenecks, and operational dependencies
- Support wider business improvement initiatives and organisational scalability
- Assist with organisational change and restructuring projects where required
Recruitment & Compliance Leadership
- Provide leadership, support, and strategic direction to the Recruitment & Compliance function
- Support the continued development of recruitment, onboarding, and compliance processes aligned to operational and cultural objectives
- Improve consistency between recruitment, onboarding, management, and overall employee experience
- Work alongside operational leaders to strengthen retention, onboarding quality, and employee support
Employee Relations & HR Oversight
- Act as an escalation point for employee relations matters where required
- Support investigations, disciplinaries, grievances, and formal HR processes
- Ensure compliance with employment legislation and HR best practice
- Review and develop HR policies, procedures, and documentation
- Support organisational change processes sensitively and professionally
What We’re Looking For
We are less focused on finding someone “corporate” and more interested in someone pragmatic, emotionally intelligent, and experienced in supporting growing organisations through change. The ideal candidate will:
- Have strong HR and People leadership experience
- Be commercially and operationally minded
- Thrive in fast-paced, evolving environments
- Balance structure with flexibility
- Build trust and credibility quickly
- Be confident coaching managers and constructively challenging where appropriate
- Have experience supporting organisational growth and change
- Be comfortable operating both strategically and hands-on when required
Experience & Background
Relevant experience may include:
- Head of People
- HR Business Partner
- Organisational Development roles
- Fractional People Director positions
- Operational or service-led organisations
Why Join Kinect?
This is an opportunity to play a meaningful role in shaping the next phase of a growing business where:
- Culture genuinely matters
- Leadership is open to challenge and improvement
- Ideas and innovation are encouraged
- The role can have real influence and impact
We are looking for someone who wants to help build, improve, and influence — not simply maintain processes.
People & Culture Lead in Rayleigh employer: Kinect Services
Kinect Services Limited is an exceptional employer that prioritises a positive and collaborative workplace culture, offering meaningful opportunities for professional growth and influence. Located in Rayleigh, the company fosters an environment where leadership is open to innovation and improvement, allowing employees to play a pivotal role in shaping the organisation's future during its exciting phase of development. With a focus on operational consistency and employee experience, Kinect Services provides a supportive atmosphere for those looking to make a real impact in a growing business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People & Culture Lead in Rayleigh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word 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 goals, especially around improving workplace culture and leadership capability.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how you can support organisational development and change initiatives. Highlight your emotional intelligence and ability to coach managers effectively.
✨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 People & Culture Lead in Rayleigh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your unique experiences and perspectives that make you a great fit for our People & Culture Lead role.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with what we're looking for. Focus on your people leadership experience and how you've supported organisations through change — this is key for us!
Showcase Your Impact:We love seeing tangible results! In your application, include specific examples of how you've improved workplace culture or enhanced communication in previous roles. This will help us understand the impact you can bring to Kinect Services.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kinect Services
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you research Kinect Services Limited thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and the specific services they offer. This will not only help you tailor your responses but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role and the company.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a People & Culture Lead, your ability to connect with others is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully navigated change or improved workplace culture in previous roles. Be ready to discuss your approach to coaching managers and handling employee relations.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, such as managing difficult conversations or supporting organisational change. Think through potential scenarios beforehand and outline your thought process to demonstrate your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
✨Emphasise Your Flexibility and Pragmatism
Kinect is looking for someone who can balance structure with flexibility. Be prepared to discuss how you've adapted your approach in fast-paced environments and how you can support the organisation's growth while maintaining a positive culture.
