Head of People

Morgan Hunt is working exclusively with a large Further Education College Group to appoint an experienced and highly credible Head of People.

With more than 1,300 employees across a complex, multi-site organisation, this is a significant senior HR leadership role and a genuine opportunity for someone who wants to be at the heart of an organisation’s people agenda.

Reporting to the Executive Director of People & Culture, you will lead the People Partnering and People & Talent functions and act as the senior deputy within HR – deputising for the Executive Director and representing the People function at senior leadership and governance level when required.

We are looking for a strong, visible and confident Head of People.

Someone who can build excellent relationships with managers, but who is equally comfortable holding the line, providing constructive challenge and tackling difficult people issues head-on.

This role will suit someone who genuinely enjoys Employee Relations.

You will provide senior oversight and advice across complex disciplinary, grievance, capability, attendance, restructuring, redundancy, TUPE and employment tribunal matters, while developing the capability of managers to deal with people issues confidently, consistently and at the right level.

The brief is about presence as much as process.

The College Group wants its HR function to have a strong and consistent identity across the organisation. You will be a visible senior HR leader who can build credibility with managers, challenge where needed and ensure colleagues receive a consistent, high-quality People service regardless of where they work within the Group.

You will also play a key role in:

• Leading and developing the People Partnering and People & Talent teams
• Strengthening manager capability and improving people performance
• Providing authoritative advice on complex and high-risk Employee Relations matters
• Leading workforce, resourcing, talent, retention and succession planning
• Supporting organisational change and workforce transformation
• Building constructive relationships with recognised trade unions
• Using workforce data and insight to challenge, influence and advise senior leaders
• Driving consistency, accountability and service standards across HR
• Deputising for the Executive Director of People & Culture

Who are we looking for?

You will already be operating at a senior HR/People leadership level within a large and complex organisation.

You will need the credibility and resilience to deal with challenging situations, excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills, and the confidence to have difficult conversations with managers when required.

Crucially, you will be someone who likes being close to the organisation. This isn't a role for somebody who wants to move away from Employee Relations or operate solely at a strategic level.

You can think strategically, but you are equally prepared to get involved when the situation demands it.

Experience within Further Education, Higher Education or another complex, regulated public service environment would be particularly relevant, although direct FE experience is not essential.

This is an excellent opportunity for an established Head of People, Senior HR Business Partner, Deputy Director of HR or similar senior People professional who is ready to take on a broad and influential leadership role with genuine organisational visibility.

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