At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead people strategy and drive organisational effectiveness in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join Nearform, a dynamic team of data and AI experts shaping the future.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible remote work, competitive salary, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Be part of a globally distributed team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee experience and organisational culture.
- Qualifications: Proven HR experience with strong commercial insight and people skills.
The predicted salary is between 46148 - 52809 £ per year.
This is a 12 Month FTC Maternity Cover.
About Nearform
Nearform is an independent team of data & AI experts, engineers, and designers who build intelligent digital solutions and capability at pace. We create AI-enabled solutions that enhance digital experiences, empower developers, and deliver measurable results. In these ways, we partner with ambitious enterprises to deliver enduring impact. Our deep expertise in solving the world’s most complex digital problems, along with our collaborative, people-first approach, enables enterprises to build breakthrough products and modernise legacy systems by unleashing the power of AI. Today, our team of 500 experts in 20+ countries is trusted by leading enterprises including Lululemon, Puma, Sun Life, Starbucks, Travelex, Virgin Media 02, and Walmart.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Senior People Business Partner or Head of People to join our People & Talent Team. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, you will partner with managers and senior leaders across the business to drive people strategy, organisational effectiveness, and high-performance cultures that support Nearform's continued growth. As a trusted advisor, you will work closely with managers and leaders to navigate complex people challenges, enable organisational change, and ensure that people decisions align with both business objectives and our values. You will play a key role in delivering an exceptional employee experience while helping to shape scalable people advisory practices across a globally distributed workforce. This role is ideal for a strategic HR professional who enjoys balancing operational excellence with long-term people planning and thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Business Partnering: Partner with senior leaders and functional teams to align people strategies with business goals and commercial priorities. Provide trusted advice and coaching on organisational design, workforce planning, performance, engagement, and talent management. Build strong relationships with stakeholders across multiple regions and teams, influencing decision-making through insight and expertise. Support managers and leaders in creating high-performing, inclusive, and engaged teams.
- Employee Relations & People Advisory: Lead and manage complex employee relations matters, providing pragmatic, risk-balanced advice to managers and stakeholders. Coach managers and leaders through performance management, capability concerns, organisational change, and sensitive people issues. Ensure consistent application of company policies, employment legislation, and people practices across relevant jurisdictions. Partner with legal and external advisors where required on complex employment matters.
- Organisational Change & Transformation: Support business leaders through periods of growth, change, restructuring, and transformation. Act as a trusted advisor during organisational design and change initiatives, helping leaders assess impacts and manage transitions effectively. Drive adoption of people programmes and initiatives, ensuring alignment with business objectives and employee experience goals.
- Talent & Performance: Partner with Talent Acquisition and business leaders to support workforce planning and hiring strategies. Support succession planning, talent development, and retention initiatives across key business areas. Contribute to performance and career development frameworks that enable growth and progression. Use people insights and data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities within client groups.
- People Strategy & Culture: Translate business priorities into actionable people plans that support growth and organisational effectiveness. Contribute to the development and implementation of People & Talent initiatives across engagement, performance, inclusion, wellbeing, and culture. Champion Nearform's values and culture, ensuring people practices reinforce a positive employee experience. Leverage people data and metrics to inform recommendations and measure impact.
Who You Are
- Experienced HR Business Partner: You have significant experience operating as a Senior HR Business Partner or Head of People within a fast-paced, scaling organisation, ideally within technology, consulting, engineering, or professional services environments. You have a proven track record of partnering with managers and senior leaders, influencing business decisions through strong commercial and people insight.
- Trusted Advisor: You are skilled at building credibility and trust with stakeholders at all levels. You balance empathy with pragmatism and are confident in navigating complex and sensitive employee situations. You are comfortable challenging constructively and influencing without direct authority.
- Change and Organisational Effectiveness: You have experience supporting organisational change, transformation, restructuring, and growth initiatives. You understand how organisational design, leadership capability, and culture contribute to business performance.
- Commercially Minded: You understand the commercial realities of a consulting or professional services business and can align people strategies accordingly. You are comfortable using data, insights, and business context to inform decisions and recommendations.
- Global Perspective: You have experience supporting globally distributed teams and navigating employment considerations across multiple jurisdictions. You can balance local requirements with global consistency and business needs.
- Delivery Focused: You are highly organised, adaptable, and comfortable operating in an evolving environment. You take ownership of outcomes, build strong partnerships, and focus on delivering practical, business-focused solutions.
Benefits & Perks:
- Annual Company Bonus - We all help Nearform to hit company goals so we all receive a share of the profits on an annual basis in line with company performance.
- Work Remotely and Flexibly - We have a genuine dedication to work/life balance. Our flexible working culture allows you to work around what matters - school run, no problem!
- Paid Time Off Package - We offer an annual leave of 25 days plus public holidays. We also offer sick leave, marriage leave and many more.
- Remote Working Allowance - Every 2 years, you will have a budget of up to €1250 (equivalent in GBP) to help you set up a comfortable and productive workspace in addition to your essential equipment provided by Nearform when you join.
- Healthcare - It’s important to always take care of your health, so we offer additional private healthcare here at Nearform. If you wish to learn more about the plan offered feel free to reach out to our team.
- Pension & Insurances - We offer a pension match of up to 5% and Income Protection and Death in Service for peace of mind.
Head of People - 12 Month FTC (Maternity cover) employer: Nearform
At Nearform, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions a people-first culture and offers unparalleled growth opportunities. Our commitment to work-life balance, flexible remote working arrangements, and a comprehensive benefits package—including annual bonuses, generous leave policies, and private healthcare—ensures that our employees thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in a dynamic environment where your contributions directly impact our mission to deliver innovative AI solutions for leading enterprises worldwide.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of People - 12 Month FTC (Maternity cover)
✨Get Your Foot in the Door with Temp Agencies
Temporary roles in HR are often filled through agencies. Reach out to temp agencies that specialise in HR placements. They can help you find gigs quickly and give you a chance to demonstrate your skills in real-world scenarios.
✨Network at HR Events and Workshops
Dive into local HR events, workshops, and seminars. These are great opportunities to meet professionals already in the field and might lead to temporary positions. Be sure to have a chat, exchange contacts, and express your interest in on-the-spot opportunities!
✨Showcase Your Flexibility
In the temporary HR world, being adaptable is key. When you're networking or interviewing, highlight your ability to quickly learn and fill diverse roles, from recruitment to employee onboarding. Make it clear that you’re ready to dive in at any time!
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out the opportunities at Nearform and apply directly via our website. This way, you can express your interest in temporary roles and get ahead in the application process!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of People - 12 Month FTC (Maternity cover)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your People Skills:In HR, showcasing your interpersonal skills is key. Make sure your CV highlights any experience you have dealing with talent management, resolving conflicts, or facilitating workshops. We want to see your ability to connect with others!
Tailor Your CV to HR:Use HR-specific language in your CV and cover letter. Mention any specific HR tools, software, or methodologies you’re familiar with, like ATS systems or performance management frameworks. This will show that you’re not just a good fit, but you've got the know-how to back it up!
Emphasise Your Flexibility:Since this is a temporary role, emphasising your adaptability and willingness to learn quickly is crucial. Include examples of how you've successfully jumped into new environments before or handled sudden changes in previous jobs. We love a team player who can hit the ground running!
Availability Matters:In your application, make sure to clarify your availability and commitment to the temporary position. This will help us understand when you can start and how you fit into our plans at Nearform. So, don’t be shy about laying it all out there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nearform
✨Showcase Your Adaptability
Given that this is a temporary HR role at Nearform, it's crucial to demonstrate your flexibility and ability to adapt quickly. You might be thrown into new projects or systems, so share examples of how you've successfully navigated changes in past roles.
✨Familiarise Yourself with HR Tools
Many HR positions require familiarity with tools like HRIS or ATS systems. Before the interview, brush up on the specific software that Nearform uses—if you see any mentioned in the job posting, make sure you're ready to discuss them and your experience with similar tools.
✨Your Motivation Matters
As a temp, it's essential to convey your motivation for this role. Employers often look for candidates who are not just filling a position, but who are genuinely keen on contributing effectively in a short period. Consider sharing why you’re passionate about HR and how you see yourself adding value at Nearform.
✨Prepare for Real-World Scenarios
HR interviews often include situational questions that test your problem-solving skills. Think about common HR challenges, like dealing with conflict or managing onboarding efficiently, and prepare to discuss how you would handle these situations at Nearform.
