At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and deliver the people agenda, aligning business goals with people strategies.
- Company: Join Merlin, a fun and friendly environment focused on growth and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, competitive pay, and exclusive attraction passes.
- Other info: Opportunity to develop leadership capabilities and foster a high-performing culture.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on employee experience and organisational success.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic HR roles and strong talent management skills.
The predicted salary is between 54493 - 66603 £ per year.
- What you'll bring to the team
- People Director
- Role Purpose
As a People Director, you will be a strategic partner to the leadership team, helping to shape and deliver the people agenda across a large, complex attraction or region within Merlin.
You will play a critical role in aligning business goals with people strategies, building leadership capability, driving organisational effectiveness, and creating an inclusive, high-performing culture.
Working closely with senior leaders, you will provide insight, challenge, and support to ensure our people strategy translates into meaningful business outcomes.
You'll influence change, develop talent, strengthen employee engagement, and help create an environment where our teams can thrive.
- What You'll Be Responsible For
- Strategic People Partnership
- Partner with senior leadership teams to align people priorities with business objectives.
- Translate commercial goals into workforce and talent plans that drive performance.
- Provide strategic advice on organisational design, workforce planning, and change initiatives.
- Use people insights and data to inform decision-making and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Leadership & Talent Development
- Coach and support leaders to build high-performing, accountable, and inclusive teams.
- Lead talent and succession planning to ensure strong pipelines for current and future business needs.
- Partner with specialist teams to strengthen leadership capability and employee development.
- Champion a culture of continuous learning, growth, and performance excellence.
- Change & Organizational Effectiveness
- Lead and support organizational change initiatives, ensuring successful adoption and sustainable outcomes.
- Embed new ways of working that improve agility, collaboration, and decision-making.
- Drive workforce planning and organizational effectiveness initiatives that support operational goals.
- Employee Engagement & Culture
- Partner with leaders to develop engagement strategies that improve the employee experience.
- Leverage employee feedback and insights to identify priorities and implement meaningful actions.
- Promote Merlin's employer brand internally and externally, helping attract and retain exceptional talent.
- Foster an inclusive culture where colleagues feel valued, respected, and empowered.
- Reward, Recognition & Inclusion
- Support the delivery of reward and recognition programmes, ensuring fair and consistent processes.
- Embed pay equity principles and recognition strategies within the business.
- Translate diversity, equity and inclusion strategies into impactful local initiatives.
- Partner with leaders to create a workplace where everyone can belong and succeed.
- Operational Excellence
- Use people analytics and workforce insights to measure impact and inform future priorities.
- Ensure compliance with employment legislation and Merlin policies.
- Partner with shared services and specialist teams to deliver a seamless employee experience.
- Lead complex employee relations matters and provide expert guidance to leaders on sensitive cases.
Qualifications & Experience
Experience
- Significant experience partnering with senior operational leaders in a strategic HR or People Partnering role.
- Strong background in talent management, organisational development, workforce planning, and change management.
- Experience influencing and delivering results within complex, matrixed organisations.
- Proven ability to manage complex employee relations matters and stakeholder relationships.
- Experience supporting diverse and geographically dispersed teams.
Skills & Capability
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to connect people strategies to business outcomes.
- Exceptional stakeholder management, coaching, and influencing skills.
- Excellent analytical capability with experience using data and insights to drive decisions.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to engage audiences at all levels.
- Highly collaborative, adaptable, and solutions-focused.
- Passion for developing people and creating inclusive, high-performing cultures.
- Success in This Role
The successful People Director will
- Build trusted relationships with senior leaders.
- Drive measurable improvements in engagement, leadership capability, and organisational performance.
- Develop strong talent pipelines and succession plans.
- Successfully lead and support strategic business change.
- Create an inclusive and high-performing culture that enables our people and business to thrive.
- Our Leadership Expectations
At Merlin, our leaders are
Soulfully Curious
Always learning, seeking different perspectives, and exploring new possibilities.
Results Focused
Setting clear priorities, taking accountability, and delivering meaningful outcomes.
Extraordinary Teammates
Collaborating across teams, sharing expertise, and supporting the success of others.
Developers of People
Creating opportunities for growth, coaching talent, and helping others achieve their potential.
This is an opportunity to shape the future of our people strategy while making a meaningful impact on the success of the business and the experience of our employees.
Benefits
We’re growing fast and alongside a fun and friendly environment, we offer a fabulous package and amazing prospects – ideal if you’re already fantastic and want to become even better (our magic can help here).
- Pension
- Life Assurance
- discretionary company bonus
- 33 days’ holiday including bank holidays
- a Merlin Magic Pass which gives you and your friends and family free admission to all of our attractions worldwide
- an Enjoy the Ride pass which entitles you and 5 loved ones unlimited entry into your regional attractions
- 25% discount in our retail shops and restaurants
- 40% discount on LEGO
• plus lots more!
- Pay Range
- Competitive
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
People Director employer: Merlin Entertainments
At LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where creativity and teamwork thrive. As a Housekeeping Twilight Team Leader, you'll enjoy a range of benefits including a generous discount on LEGO products, access to Merlin attractions, and ongoing training opportunities to enhance your career in hospitality. Join us in creating magical experiences for families while developing your leadership skills in a fun and supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Director
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Merlin Entertainments!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Merlin Entertainments.
We think you need these skills to ace People Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Merlin Entertainments. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Merlin Entertainments and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Merlin Entertainments. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Merlin Entertainments's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Merlin Entertainments
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Merlin Entertainments.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Merlin Entertainments will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Merlin Entertainments and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
