At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape the people agenda in a dynamic engineering organisation.
- Company: Respected engineering and manufacturing business with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, performance bonus, and comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career progression towards a People Director role.
- Why this job: Drive organisational transformation and make a real impact on company culture.
- Qualifications: Proven HR leadership experience in operational environments and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 80000 £ per year.
The Head of People role is a newly created position, offering a fantastic opportunity to lead and shape the people agenda across a growing organisation. Ideal for an ambitious People leader, this role will play a key part in driving organisational transformation, culture and performance while providing a strong platform for progression towards a future People Director position.
Our client is a well-established and highly respected engineering and manufacturing business with a strong track record of delivering quality products and services to customers across the UK. Built on a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and operational excellence, the organisation has earned a reputation for reliability, innovation and customer-centricity. With ambitious growth plans and ongoing investment across its operations, the business is undergoing an exciting period of transformation. Its people are at the heart of its success, and the leadership team is committed to creating a high-performing, inclusive culture where colleagues can thrive, develop and contribute to the company's future success.
Operating across multiple sites throughout the North of England, this is an organisation that combines the strength and stability of an established business with the energy and opportunity of a company embracing change, innovation and sustainable growth.
Are you an ambitious senior People leader who thrives in fast-paced, operational environments and is ready to take the next step towards a People Director role in the coming years? Our client is a highly successful manufacturing and engineering business employing approximately 400 colleagues across multiple sites throughout the North of England. As the organisation continues an exciting period of growth, transformation and investment, they are seeking an exceptional Head of People to play a pivotal role in shaping their people strategy, culture and organisational performance.
Reporting directly to a highly engaged and people-focused Finance Director, this is a rare opportunity to join the senior leadership team and influence business decisions at the highest level. You'll combine strategic thinking with hands-on leadership, partnering closely with operational leaders to deliver a high-performing, inclusive and engaged workforce. This role offers the breadth, visibility and impact that will position the successful candidate strongly for a future People Director appointment.
As Head of People, you will lead the people agenda across a diverse, multi-site manufacturing and engineering operation, ensuring people strategy supports commercial objectives while creating an environment where colleagues can thrive. You'll be equally comfortable setting long-term strategic direction and rolling up your sleeves to drive operational excellence. Working within a unionised environment, you'll build trusted relationships across the organisation and champion a progressive, people-centred culture during a period of significant change and growth.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and deliver a people strategy aligned to business growth ambitions.
- Partner with the senior leadership team to drive organisational effectiveness, capability and performance.
- Lead and embed initiatives across employee engagement, talent development, succession planning and leadership capability.
- Coach and support managers to build high-performing, accountable teams.
- Lead employee relations activity, fostering positive relationships with employee representatives and trade unions.
- Drive organisational change programmes, ensuring effective communication and stakeholder engagement.
- Champion diversity, inclusion, wellbeing and employee experience initiatives across all sites.
- Deliver robust workforce planning and talent management strategies.
- Ensure HR policies, processes and practices remain compliant, commercially focused and fit for purpose.
- Use people data and insight to inform decision-making and influence business performance.
- Lead, develop and inspire the People team to deliver an exceptional service across the organisation.
This role requires someone to be engaging with the business and stakeholders for a minimum of 3 days per week.
We are looking for an ambitious, commercially minded and influential People leader who combines strategic capability with strong operational delivery. You will likely bring:
- Proven senior HR leadership experience within manufacturing, engineering, industrial or similarly operational environments.
- Experience supporting multi-site operations.
- Strong employee relations expertise, ideally gained within a unionised setting.
- A track record of leading organisational change, transformation and culture initiatives.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at Board and senior leadership level.
- Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of how people strategies drive business performance.
- Experience developing leadership capability, succession planning and talent strategies.
- A collaborative and pragmatic leadership style with high levels of resilience and emotional intelligence.
- CIPD qualification or equivalent professional experience.
Most importantly, you'll be someone who is excited by the opportunity to leave a genuine legacy, drive business performance through people, and continue your progression towards a future People Director position.
This role pays up to £75,000 to £80,000 per annum (dependant on experience), inclusive of a car allowance, performance related bonus and a suite of benefits.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of People in Manchester
✨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 Michael Page!
✨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 Michael Page.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of People in Manchester
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 Michael Page. 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 Michael Page 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 Michael Page. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Michael Page'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 Michael Page
✨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 Michael Page.
✨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 Michael Page 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 Michael Page and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
