At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a proactive People function to enhance employee experience and wellbeing.
- Company: Join Norwood, a charity dedicated to supporting individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with significant organisational influence and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on organisational culture and employee engagement.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 or equivalent, with HR leadership experience in fast-paced environments.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
As Head of People, you will support the development and delivery of Norwood's People & Culture strategy, turning strategic priorities into effective operational delivery across the charity. You will lead the People Partnering, Employee Relations, Reward & Recognition and people operations functions, ensuring people practices are high-quality, compliant and values-led. Working closely with senior leaders across the organisation, you will strengthen wellbeing, organisational effectiveness and leadership capability while helping create a positive and inclusive culture where colleagues can thrive.
You will:
- Lead and develop a proactive and customer-focused People function
- Strengthen employee relations, governance and people operations
- Drive wellbeing, engagement and retention initiatives
- Lead people aspects of organisational change and transformation programmes
- Improve people systems, insight and reporting capability
- Support the ongoing development of equitable pay, reward and recognition approaches
- Build leadership capability through coaching, partnership and support
This is a role with significant organisational impact, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on leadership across operational people services.
Your Day to Day
You will:
- Lead the People Partnering and Employee Relations functions across Norwood
- Provide expert guidance on complex people and organisational matters
- Strengthen management capability through coaching and operational support
- Oversee governance, compliance and safer recruitment processes
- Develop and implement people policies aligned to best practice and organisational priorities
- Lead reporting, people analytics and management information frameworks
- Drive continuous improvement across people systems, processes and digital capability
- Support organisational change, transformation and culture initiatives
- Work collaboratively with leaders across services in London and Berkshire
Your impact will be demonstrated through:
- Stronger employee engagement and experience
- Improved governance and regulatory assurance
- Effective management of organisational change and employee relations
- Better insight and strategic decision-making
- A high-performing, inclusive and values-led culture
Qualifications, Experience & Training
Essential
- CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent degree
- Experience leading an HR or People function within a fast-paced organisation
- Experience managing complex employee relations matters
- Experience leading and developing high-performing teams
- Strong knowledge of employment law, governance and HR best practice
- Experience leading organisational change and transformation activity
- Strong operational and commercial awareness
- Ability to develop meaningful people insight, reporting and performance metrics
Desirable
- Experience within health or social care
- Experience of organisational development and engagement initiatives
- Experience of HR systems improvement and digital transformation
- Knowledge of CQC employment requirements within the care sector
Safe Recruitment: Norwood is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children, young people, and adults we support. This role is subject to safer recruitment checks in line with CQC Regulation 19, and appointment is conditional upon satisfactory pre-employment checks, including Right to Work in the UK and a DBS check appropriate to the role.
Disclaimer: At Norwood, we welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates. At this time, Norwood is not a UK Home Office licensed sponsor and is unable to offer visa sponsorship.
Head of People in England employer: Norwood
Norwood is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a positive and inclusive culture where employees can thrive. With a strong focus on wellbeing, employee engagement, and professional development, the Head of People role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact within a charity that supports individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. Located in Stanmore, our head office provides a collaborative environment, ensuring that every team member contributes to meaningful change in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of People in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR and People space, especially those who might have insights into Norwood. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Norwood’s mission and values. Show us how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around wellbeing and inclusivity. We love candidates who resonate with our culture!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for the job to come to you! Apply through our website and make sure to follow up. A little persistence goes a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your hands-on leadership style. We’re looking for someone who can balance strategic thinking with operational delivery, so share examples of how you’ve successfully led teams through change.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of People in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of People role. Highlight your experience in leading HR functions and how it aligns with Norwood's mission and values. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Whether it's improving employee engagement or leading successful change initiatives, we love to see quantifiable results!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value a positive and inclusive culture, so showing us who you are and what drives you will help us understand if you're a good fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our official website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Norwood
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in Norwood's People & Culture strategy. Familiarise yourself with their values and how they align with your own experience in leading HR functions. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role, but also in the organisation’s mission.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams and managed complex employee relations matters. Be ready to discuss specific initiatives you've implemented that improved engagement or transformed workplace culture, as this is crucial for the Head of People role.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, like managing organisational change or improving employee wellbeing. Think through potential scenarios in advance and outline your approach, demonstrating your strategic thinking and hands-on leadership style.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about Norwood’s current challenges and future goals. This not only shows your genuine interest in the role but also gives you a chance to demonstrate your understanding of the complexities involved in people operations and governance.
