At a Glance
- 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.
- Other info: Collaborative leadership style and emotional intelligence are key for success.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on company culture and employee experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail HR and strong UK employment law knowledge required.
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
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 Human Resources in Milton Keynes employer: McCarthy Recruitment
Join a dynamic and innovative fashion retailer in Milton Keynes as the Head of People, where you will play a crucial role in shaping a progressive HR strategy that prioritises employee growth and cultural evolution. With a strong focus on collaboration and commercial outcomes, this company offers a vibrant work culture, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development across UK and European markets, making it an exceptional place to advance your career in human resources.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Human Resources in Milton Keynes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨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. Remember, they want to see how you can contribute to making their workplace an exceptional place to grow!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to build your confidence. Focus on articulating your thoughts clearly and showcasing your passion for people and culture – it’s what they’re looking for!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for talented individuals who are ready to make a significant impact in their roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Human Resources in Milton Keynes
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 environments and any relevant HR strategies you've implemented.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about people and culture. Share specific examples of how you've driven change and improved HR processes in previous roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:In your application, emphasise your collaborative leadership style. We want to see how you foster trust and accountability within teams, so share some stories that illustrate this.
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 gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at McCarthy Recruitment
✨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.
