People Policy & Experience Lead in Leeds

We're seeking an experienced People Policy & Experience Lead to drive the development and delivery of a modern, inclusive people policy framework while enhancing key moments across the colleague experience. This strategic and hands-on role will lead policy design and rollout, embed cultural change, and create a meaningful recognition and appreciation framework that helps people feel valued, connected and empowered.

Our client is a well-established national organisation currently undertaking an exciting cultural transformation programme. With a strong commitment to creating an inclusive, empowering and purpose-led workplace, they are investing in modern people practices that enable colleagues to thrive, feel recognised and deliver their best work. This role offers the chance to make a lasting impact by influencing how policy, culture and colleague experience come together to support organisational success. This is a 18-Month Fixed-Term Contract, hybrid role with occasional travel to Leeds.

As People Policy & Experience Lead, you will take ownership of a high-profile programme focused on strengthening organisational culture through effective people policies, colleague experience design and employee recognition.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the end-to-end review, development and implementation of a new people policy framework that is modern, accessible, legally compliant and aligned to organisational values.
• Designing and rolling out people policies, guidance, toolkits, communications and learning resources that support successful adoption across the business.
• Developing and delivering a company-wide recognition and appreciation framework that celebrates contribution, supports reward strategy and strengthens engagement.
• Reviewing key stages of the colleague journey and identifying opportunities to improve employee experience, engagement and productivity.
• Leading projects that support cultural transformation and organisational change.
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders across HR and the wider business to ensure successful delivery and long-term sustainability.
• Measuring the impact of initiatives and using data and insight to drive continuous improvement.
• Championing inclusive and collaborative ways of working, ensuring colleague voices help shape new approaches and solutions.

Profile

We are looking for someone who can think strategically while remaining highly delivery-focused. You will ideally have:

• Availability to commence the contract in September 2026.
• Significant experience developing and implementing people policy frameworks.
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and its practical application.
• Experience leading organisational change, culture initiatives and behaviour change programmes.
• A proven track record of designing and delivering employee experience initiatives.
• Experience creating and implementing recognition and appreciation programmes.
• The ability to develop engaging communications, training materials and adoption strategies.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• A collaborative, pragmatic and solutions-focused approach.
• Experience working across multiple HR disciplines, including areas such as Employee Relations, Reward, Organisational Development, Learning or HR Business Partnering.
• High levels of resilience, adaptability and commercial awareness.
• CIPD qualification or equivalent professional accreditation would be advantageous.

Job Offer

£60,000 FTE 18-month Fixed-Term Contract Predominantly remote working Hybrid working with occasional travel to Leeds, Peterborough and London Opportunity to lead a significant people transformation initiative September start available. This role would suit a forward-thinking HR or People professional who enjoys building policy strategy, driving adoption and creating colleague experiences that genuinely make a difference.