HR Director in Northampton

Morgan McKinley Northern Home Counties are proud to be partnering with a growing organisation to recruit a HR Director. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR leader to join a progressive business, working closely with the Executive Leadership Team to shape and deliver the people strategy. This is a pivotal role for someone who can operate both strategically and operationally, taking full ownership of the HR function while acting as a trusted adviser across the organisation. The successful candidate will be an approachable and credible leader who thrives on building relationships, influencing decision-making and creating a positive, high-performing culture. They will be comfortable working autonomously, using their own initiative and providing expert guidance through both business growth and organisational change.

The Role

As the HR Director, you will be responsible for leading the full employee lifecycle, acting as the senior HR lead and trusted point of contact for employees, managers and the Executive Team. You will oversee all aspects of HR, ensuring managers are equipped to lead their teams effectively while fostering an engaged, inclusive and high-performing workforce.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the full employee lifecycle, including workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, performance management, succession planning and employee exits.
• Acting as the trusted adviser to the Executive Team, providing strategic and commercially focused HR guidance.
• Coaching, supporting and challenging managers to develop their leadership capability and ensure they effectively manage, develop and engage their teams.
• Leading complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability and absence management cases.
• Managing organisational change initiatives, including restructures, redundancy consultations, organisational design and TUPE where applicable.
• Providing expert guidance on UK employment law, ensuring the business remains compliant while effectively managing legal and people-related risks.
• Developing and implementing HR strategies, policies and procedures that support business objectives and drive continuous improvement.
• Leading learning and development initiatives, creating programmes that enhance leadership capability and employee development across the organisation.
• Championing employee wellbeing, mental health and safeguarding, ensuring the appropriate support, policies and resources are in place.
• Building a culture of trust, accountability and high performance, acting as the go-to person for managers and employees on all people matters.
• Monitoring HR metrics and reporting to senior leadership, using data to support strategic decision-making and workforce planning.

The Successful Candidate

• Significant experience operating at Senior HR Manager, Head of HR or HR Director level.
• Extensive knowledge of EU & UK employment law and experience managing complex employee relations matters.
• Proven experience leading organisational change, including restructures, redundancy programmes and organisational development.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach, influence and develop managers at all levels.
• Demonstrable experience designing and delivering learning and development strategies.
• A genuine passion for employee wellbeing, mental health and creating an inclusive workplace culture.
• Confident working independently while influencing senior stakeholders and driving the people agenda.
• CIPD Level 7 qualified (or equivalent) is highly desirable.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary of £75,000-£80,000, depending on experience.
• Hybrid working, part time hours (20 - 30 hours).
• A genuine opportunity to shape and lead the organisation's people strategy.
• Direct access to the Executive Leadership Team with influence over business decisions.
• A collaborative and values-driven culture where people are at the heart of the organisation.
• Excellent scope to make a lasting impact on the business and its people.