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- Tasks: Lead and shape the HR strategy in a dynamic retail environment.
- Company: Join a successful multi-site fashion retailer with a people-first culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £70,000 plus bonus and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on company culture and employee experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail HR and strong knowledge of UK and European employment law.
- Other info: Collaborative leadership style and emotional intelligence are key for success.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
Location: Milton Keynes
Salary: up to £70,000 + bonus
Role: Permanent – Full-Time
Are you an inspiring, commercially astute People leader ready to shape and elevate the HR agenda in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial retail environment? This is a rare opportunity to join a successful, multi-site fashion retailer as their new Head of People, driving cultural evolution, building capability and ensuring the business continues to be an exceptional place to work and grow.
About the Role
In this pivotal position, you will set and deliver a progressive People strategy that strengthens organisational capability across UK and European markets. You’ll partner closely with senior leaders, bringing a balance of commercial pragmatism, strong HR governance and an engaging, people-first approach.
You will:
- Develop and execute a modern People strategy aligned to business growth, culture and long-term ambitions
- Provide confident, commercial HR partnership to senior and operational leaders
- Lead and develop a small HR team, elevating capability and embedding a strong, cohesive culture
- Oversee people operations across the UK and support international colleagues across Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and Ireland
- Influence and coach leaders on best-in-class people practices, ER, performance, talent and organisational effectiveness
- Ensure policies, processes and compliance are robust, relevant and enable fast-paced retail operations
- Drive people-related change projects, including organisational design, system upgrades, employee experience, and cultural development
- Lead on complex ER matters with a balanced, pragmatic view
- Support the organisation through future transformation or event activity, such as investment, sale or growth-focused restructuring
About You
You’ll thrive here if you are both strategically minded and hands-on, with genuine passion for people, culture and commercial outcomes. You will also bring:
- Experience in a multi-site retail, hospitality, or consumer-facing environment
- Strong UK employment law expertise with good grounding in European employment frameworks
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders and hold your own with strong personalities
- High emotional intelligence with the ability to coach, challenge and support teams
- A collaborative leadership style that fosters trust, pace and accountability
- CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent experience) preferred
- Experience managing change and improving HR processes and systems
Commutable Locations: Northampton, Milton Keynes, Watford, Oxford, Bedford, Kettering, Banbury, Luton
If you’re a career motivated and driven Head of People or Head of HR, ready to take on a new challenge and make a significant impact, we’d love to hear from you! APPLY NOW for immediate consideration.
Head of HR in London employer: McCarthy Recruitment Limited
Contact Detail:
McCarthy Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of HR in London
✨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 new opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company culture and values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their vision, especially in a fast-paced retail environment like this one.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings! Be proactive and reach out directly to companies you admire. Express your interest in potential roles and share how you can contribute to their people strategy.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love hearing from passionate candidates ready to make an impact!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of HR in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of People role. Highlight your experience in multi-site retail and your understanding of UK and European employment law to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your passion for people and culture, and explain how your strategic mindset can drive our HR agenda forward. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Leadership Style: We want to know about your collaborative leadership style! Share examples of how you've influenced senior stakeholders and fostered trust within teams. This will help us see how you can fit into our culture.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed! It’s the quickest way for us to receive your application and start the conversation about your future with us.
How to prepare for a job interview at McCarthy Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your People Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you understand the company's current people strategy and how it aligns with their business goals. Be ready to discuss how your experience can enhance their HR agenda and drive cultural evolution.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your collaborative leadership style. Think of situations where you've influenced senior stakeholders or led a team through change, and be ready to share these stories during the interview.
✨Brush Up on Employment Law
Given the focus on UK and European employment frameworks, ensure you're up-to-date with relevant laws. Be prepared to discuss how you've navigated complex ER matters in the past and how you would approach similar challenges in this role.
✨Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is key for this role. Prepare to discuss how you've coached and supported teams in previous positions. Think about specific instances where your emotional intelligence made a difference in resolving conflicts or enhancing team dynamics.
