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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR solutions for SMEs, driving culture change and strategic planning.
- Company: Join a prestigious, award-winning team of People Directors in the UK.
- Benefits: Flexible work-life balance, competitive earnings, and access to a supportive network.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on businesses while enjoying autonomy and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Senior-level HR experience with a passion for innovative solutions.
- Other info: Embrace continuous learning and thrive in a dynamic, supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
Overview
We are anticipating further growth in our North East team, and welcome interest from candidates looking to transition to a Portfolio career in Q1 of 2026. Commercial, dynamic, energetic, creative, curious, pragmatic, influential, inspiring, empathetic. Do these words describe you? If yes, then this is a fantastic opportunity to join and collaborate with like-minded HR Director superstars in the People Puzzles community.
Where? Ideally based in or around Leeds and the surrounding areas.
Who are you? A highly successful CPO, CHRO, People or HR Director or Senior HR Consultant that loves to help businesses unlock their potential and drive through people solutions that change lives. You might be looking for an alternative to corporate life and are excited to work with SME businesses/entrepreneurial leaders.
Yes, you are technically (HR) astute, but notably you understand business and feel completely at home building and executing a business strategy to flow through to a People strategy. You may want more control over your working life? Perhaps you have dipped your toe into the consulting world… and now you are looking to take the plunge? Or you may already be consulting but miss the peer network of like-minded, commercial People Directors as well as the support that a thriving UK business can provide.
You enjoy building trusting relationships across all levels and are comfortable influencing at board level. You like your trusted advisor status and have excellent stakeholder management skills. You tend to always exceed expectations and wow!
You are seeking to have a more flexible work-life balance with good earnings potential. You want to control how many days you work (with the earnings potential that matches it).
You thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy discovering and implementing innovative, commercially viable solutions whilst engaging everyone in the process. In essence, you are a catalyst for action, leveraging your intelligence, charisma, and vibrant energy to get things done.
And what about us? We are a team of passionate people experts and a prestigious, award-winning leader in the People Director space across the UK. Our mission is to deliver strategic HR services and transformative people solutions that truly make a difference in the lives of flourishing SMEs. With nearly 90 board-level Portfolio People Directors collaborating with over 200 clients, our impact is significant—and we’re excited to keep expanding!
Main Responsibilities
- Lead the delivery of HR solutions to our client businesses; business and strategic HR planning, culture change, business transformation, change management, leadership development, organisational design, D&I, wellbeing, L&D and Talent Management
- Full accountability for managing your portfolio of clients and working in partnership with the whole team to ensure a first-class HR service is provided
- Ability to spot opportunities and really add value and longevity to our SME client base
- Work with the Regional Director and our marketing team to support the process for attracting and gaining new clients
Skills & Experience
- Proven experience inputting into the strategic direction of the business & partnering with the Board & Senior Executive team
- Senior-level experience (either perm or consulting) in a mix of corporate, SMEs and investor-backed businesses
- Ideally be CIPD (L7) qualified or equivalent
- A strong “people person” with a natural ability to lead teams and nurture and build relationships
- Credible and able to “connect” with and influence SME sector business owners
- Forward-thinking – you have a true passion for discovering innovative work methods and fully embracing technology.
- As a commercially-savvy professional, you embody the essence of a business leader who excels in HR. You possess a keen eye for the larger vision and are adept at identifying golden opportunities.
- Pragmatic, you work strategically but are happy to roll your sleeves up and get stuck in
- A great listener, and even better at asking great questions, you’ll wake up every day and think “how do I add value and do something special for my clients today?”
We believe in “Team”. We attract individuals who can put their energies into being part of our team and fully embrace all aspects of working as part of our local and national teams.
Shaun is one of our fractional People Directors, he tells it like it is here.
The freedom to do work I love doing and add value to clients’ growth journeys, alongside the freedom to spend lots of time with my 2 teenage lads!
Network: you will have access to an amazing community of People Directors who are always ready to support each other. In addition to this, we have carefully chosen strategic national partnerships that enhance our services and provide support to our People Directors. It’s a #win-win situation!
CPD: We provide year-round CPD offerings tailored to our team\’s feedback and the evolving business landscape, empowering them to create innovative solutions that add significant value to our SME clients. At People Puzzles, we always embrace the ethos of continuous learning and growth. #Still Learning.
We are proud of our culture. Our four core values \”win/win, always passionate, still learning and be pragmatic\” provide the foundation on which the culture is built. We seek individuals who are aligned with our culture and values.
We have a creative marketing team that is constantly brainstorming ideas to boost awareness and generate new opportunities.
Sales and business development: Our sales team of Regional Directors and Business Development Executives do the heavy-lifting to find you the clients. Like anything though, the more you put in, the more you will get out so we ask for your support throughout your Puzzles journey.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced business professional or consultant with the ability to deliver professional HR services to the SME sector around Leeds.
There is some scope for client work to be remote, although most client work is onsite so interested applicants will need to be within easy commute of all the areas listed above.
If you are shortlisted you will be required to complete a behavioural assessment and a background/identity check.
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HR Director - opportunity in early 2026 employer: People Puzzles Ltd
Contact Detail:
People Puzzles Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Director - opportunity in early 2026
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other HR professionals, attend industry events, and join online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your personality! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, let your energy and creativity shine through. Be yourself and let them see how you can bring value to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Tailor your responses to show how you align with their mission and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview or networking event, drop a quick thank-you note. It keeps you on their radar and shows you’re genuinely interested in the opportunity.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Director - opportunity in early 2026
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to show off your creativity and energy. Use language that reflects who you are and how you connect with others.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for this role. Highlight your experience in HR and how it aligns with our mission at People Puzzles. Show us how your skills can help unlock potential in SMEs and drive innovative solutions.
Showcase Your Impact: We love seeing results! Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles. Whether it's through culture change or leadership development, let us know how you've added value and transformed businesses.
Apply Through Our Website: Ready to take the plunge? Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at People Puzzles Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest HR trends and practices, especially those relevant to SMEs. Brush up on your knowledge of strategic HR planning, culture change, and leadership development. This will not only show your expertise but also your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As an HR Director, your ability to build relationships is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully influenced stakeholders and nurtured teams in the past. Be ready to discuss how you can bring that same energy to the People Puzzles community.
✨Align with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with the core values of People Puzzles: win/win, always passionate, still learning, and be pragmatic. Think of specific instances where you’ve embodied these values in your previous roles, and be prepared to share them during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your curiosity about the company and its clients. Inquire about their approach to client relationships or how they foster continuous learning within the team. This shows you’re not just interested in the role, but also in contributing to their mission.
