At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative people strategy programmes that reshape organisational effectiveness.
- Company: Join Korn Ferry, a leader in human capital consulting.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and impactful work.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to influence at the highest levels.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public sector organisations and drive meaningful change.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading people strategy and workforce transformation.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Lead complex people strategy programmes that reshape how organisations work. This role sits firmly within the human capital / people strategy space — not IT, not tech delivery. It's about leading large‐scale programmes that translate people strategy into real organisational outcomes, ensuring workforce, structure and capability are aligned to deliver impact.
At Korn Ferry, we partner with public sector organisations to solve some of their most complex workforce challenges — from organisation design and workforce transformation to career architecture and job evaluation. Within our Local Public Services (LPS) practice, we work at the heart of transformation across councils and public bodies, helping them redesign how work gets done and how people enable delivery.
As demand grows, we're looking for a Senior Principal to lead and land these programmes — bringing pace, structure and credibility to delivery, and ensuring people strategy translates into sustainable organisational change.
The role is a senior leadership role focused on delivering people strategy at scale. You will take end‐to‐end ownership of complex, high‐profile programmes — acting as the senior point of accountability across delivery, governance and client outcomes, while staying grounded in the people agenda.
You will operate across core human capital priorities, including:
- Organisation design and local government reorganisation
- Job evaluation and workforce frameworks
- Work & career architecture and skills frameworks
- Large, multi‐workstream people transformation programmes
Critically, this role goes beyond design. It is about implementation and embedding change — ensuring people strategies are executed effectively, adopted by organisations, and deliver measurable impact.
What you'll be doing:
- Owning and leading large, complex people strategy programmes (typically £250k–£2m+)
- Acting as a trusted partner to HR leaders, CPOs, Chief Executives and senior officers
- Translating people strategy into structured, deliverable programmes with clear outcomes
- Establishing and driving programme governance, pace, risk management and delivery discipline
- Leading multi‐disciplinary teams across organisation design, reward and workforce transformation
- Navigating complex, often politically sensitive environments with confidence and credibility
- Creating clarity and confidence — ensuring programmes land successfully and commercially
We're looking for a human capital programme leader — someone who combines strategic perspective with delivery authority. You'll likely bring:
- Strong experience leading people strategy or workforce transformation programmes within consulting or advisory environments
- A track record of owning client relationships and programme outcomes, not just contributing technically
- Credibility with senior HR and business leaders, with the ability to influence at executive level
- Experience operating within complex, ambiguous and high‐scrutiny environments
- The ability to connect people strategy with organisational and operational delivery
- Experience from Big Four, human capital consulting, transformation advisory or large‐scale public sector programmes is highly relevant.
Apply now or get in touch for a confidential conversation.
Senior Principal (People Centric Programmes) in Slough employer: Korn Ferry
At Korn Ferry, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for those passionate about shaping people-centric programmes within the public sector. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and inclusivity, while our commitment to employee development ensures that you will have ample opportunities for growth and advancement. Located at the heart of transformation in local public services, you will be part of a team that not only drives impactful change but also enjoys the unique advantage of working closely with diverse councils and public bodies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Principal (People Centric Programmes) in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how important it is to build relationships that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its people strategy initiatives. We recommend practising common interview questions and tailoring your responses to highlight your experience in leading complex programmes. Show them you’re the right fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We suggest reiterating your enthusiasm for the role and briefly mentioning how your skills align with their needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of exciting opportunities waiting for you. By applying directly, you’ll ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Principal (People Centric Programmes) in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in leading people strategy programmes. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past roles, focus on the outcomes of your projects. We want to see how you've translated people strategies into real organisational change and measurable results.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond your professional achievements.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This helps us keep track of your application and ensures it reaches the right people quickly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Korn Ferry
✨Know Your People Strategy Inside Out
Make sure you thoroughly understand the nuances of people strategy and how it translates into organisational outcomes. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led similar programmes.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership, so be ready to showcase your ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams. Share stories that highlight your experience in navigating complex environments and how you've influenced senior leaders to achieve programme success.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in politically sensitive situations. Think of scenarios where you've had to manage risks or overcome challenges in programme delivery, and articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Align with Their Values and Goals
Research Korn Ferry's approach to human capital and their recent projects. Show how your values align with theirs and express your enthusiasm for contributing to their mission of transforming public sector organisations.
