Executive Director of HR & Chief People Officer

The City of London Corporation is seeking an exceptional Chief People Officer to lead its people, culture and organisational transformation at a defining moment for the organisation. Operating at the intersection of local government, national priorities and global economic influence, the Corporation delivers across a broad portfolio spanning local government, policing, education, culture, green spaces, charitable institutions and global business – within one of the most distinctive governance models in the world.

Reporting to the Town Clerk and Chief Executive, and as a full member of the Executive Leadership Board, this role holds enterprise-wide responsibility for shaping leadership capability, workforce strategy and organisational culture across a highly diverse workforce of more than 4,500 colleagues. The role sits at the centre of a significant organisation-wide transformation, with the People Strategy 2024 – 2029 acting as a core enabler of the Corporation’s wider Corporate Plan. The successful candidate will be responsible for translating this strategic ambition into organisational capability – embedding a more cohesive, high-performing and inclusive ‘one Corporation’, and ensuring the leadership, culture and workforce are aligned to deliver long-term outcomes. This is a role of significant strategic influence and requiring close and credible engagement with elected Members, senior officers and recognised Trade Unions. Given the significance of the role and the importance of visible leadership, this position is expected to be predominantly office-based (c. four – five days per week).

Role and Responsibilities

• Lead the People and HR function as a centre of professional excellence, spanning organisational design, workforce strategy, employee relations, reward, learning and development, talent management and people operations.
• Lead and embed delivery of the People Strategy 2024–2029 as a transformation programme, translating strategic priorities into measurable, organisation-wide impact.
• Lead the delivery of the Corporation’s new Career Framework (Ambition 25) establishing clear career pathways and job families that support progression, underpinned by fair, transparent and consistent approaches to pay and grading.
• Establish and embed organisation-wide standards for leadership capability, performance management and talent development, strengthening accountability and alignment to corporate priorities.
• Provide senior oversight of employee and industrial relations, including constructive engagement with recognised Trade Unions within a complex and highly unionised environment.
• Drive the transformation of people data and technology through the embedding of SAP SuccessFactors, enabling integrated workforce planning and real time insight while championing the responsible use of AI to enhance organisational performance and employee experience.
• Ensure people policies and practices are legally compliant, aligned to EDI principles, and genuinely usable and effective for leaders and employees alike.

Skills and Experience

• Proven track record at Executive HR Director or Chief People Officer level, with accountability for enterprise-wide people strategy and delivery at board level.
• A career defined by sustained impact and credibility, including the delivery of complex, long-term organisational and cultural change.
• Deep experience operating in highly matrixed, complex organisations where influence, rather than authority, is the primary lever.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility at the most senior levels.
• Demonstrable experience engaging with elected members, committees, Trade Unions and diverse employee groups within formal governance environments.
• Strong political and organisational acuity, with the judgement to navigate the unique constitutional landscape of the City of London Corporation.

Commitment to Equality, Inclusion and Social Mobility

The City of London Corporation is deeply committed to equity, equality, diversity and inclusion, both as an employer and as a civic institution. This role will play a central part in embedding inclusive, values-led leadership and creating environments in which people from all backgrounds can thrive. A particular priority for the Corporation is social mobility. We are committed to widening access to opportunity, reducing barriers to progression and ensuring that talent is recognised and developed regardless of background. Candidates should share this commitment and bring experience of driving fair, inclusive and socially responsible people practices at scale.

We are seeking a senior people leader with the judgement to navigate complexity, the credibility to lead through influence, and the ambition to help build a truly world-class organisation. This is a rare opportunity to lead the people and cultural transformation of a globally significant institution – shaping its future capability, leadership and impact.