Head of Human Resources in Sunderland

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Human Resources to join a well-established organisation at a pivotal time in its development. This senior role is responsible for driving the people strategy, leading cultural development, and ensuring the effective delivery of HR services across the business. You will play a key role within the senior leadership team, partnering with senior leaders to support business performance, enhance employee engagement, and drive a progressive HR agenda. With a newly implemented HR system in place, this is an exciting opportunity for someone eager to optimise digital HR processes and shape future improvements.

• Strategic Leadership
  • Act as a trusted advisor to the senior leadership team, contributing to organisational strategy and long-term planning.
  • Present HR insights, data, and workforce analytics to senior stakeholders to support informed decisions.
  • Participate in management meetings and provide expert HR guidance on change, growth, and people development.
• Operational HR Management
  • Lead the HR function, overseeing recruitment, employee relations, performance management, and compliance.
  • Enhance HR systems, policies, and processes to support organisational goals.
  • Drive a culture of continuous improvement, maximising the value of the newly implemented HR system.
• Employee Engagement & Culture
  • Lead initiatives to improve engagement, wellbeing, and retention.
  • Build strong relationships across the organisation to support a collaborative, inclusive working environment.
  • Coach and guide line managers to handle HR matters confidently and consistently.
• Learning & Development
  • Oversee training and development programmes to ensure employees have the skills for current and future needs.
  • Champion continuous professional development and succession planning.
  • Lead the ongoing evolution of appraisal and performance development processes.
• Performance & Resource Management
  • Monitor HR KPIs and workforce metrics, recommending improvements where needed.
  • Ensure effective utilisation of HR resources to support key priorities and projects.
• Trade Union Engagement
  • Act as the main point of contact with the recognised trade union.
  • Lead formal consultation processes with professionalism and transparency.
  • Support positive industrial relations and collaborative problem-solving.

• Qualifications & Experience
  • Degree-level education and/or CIPD qualification.
  • Proven experience in a senior HR generalist role.
  • Experience working within a unionised environment/desirable.
  • Strong understanding of UK employment law and HR best practice.
  • Demonstrable experience in learning and development and training design.
  • Experience managing HR in a business of similar scale (approx. 90–100 employees).
  • Knowledge of managing pay and reward structures.
• Skills & Competencies
  • Strong strategic thinker with the ability to influence at senior levels.
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
  • Confident decision-maker with a hands-on, pragmatic approach.
  • Skilled in HR data analysis and reporting.
  • Able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Confident in facilitating workshops and delivering presentations across the organisation.

• 40-hour working week with flexible working patterns (office-based).
• On-site parking.
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
• 6% joint pension contribution.
• Access to a newly implemented HR system with opportunities to shape future development.

NRG is an equal opportunities employer committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. We oppose all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of any protected characteristic. Our aim is to create an environment that encourages diversity, builds on individual differences, and responds equitably to the needs of all. We proactively take steps to fulfil our legal obligations, remove barriers, monitor for fairness, reflect the communities we serve, and enforce a zero-tolerance policy for breaches of our Equality and Diversity policy.