At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR strategy, manage complex employee relations, and provide expert employment law advice.
- Company: Join a growing family-run business with a strong commitment to people management.
- Benefits: Performance-related bonuses, hybrid working, enhanced leave, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for long-term career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a senior role with genuine influence and leadership.
- Qualifications: Extensive UK employment law knowledge and experience in complex employee relations.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 80000 £ per year.
Are you a technically strong Head of HR, Employment Law Specialist or Employee Relations leader looking for a senior role with genuine influence? RecruitME is recruiting for an experienced Head of Human Resources to join a growing national, multi-site family run business. Reporting to the Director of People, you will provide trusted HR leadership across the organisation, with a particular focus on UK employment law, complex employee relations, compliance, governance and people risk. This is not a purely generalist HR position. Our client is looking for someone with genuine technical credibility who can interpret employment legislation, manage sensitive and high-risk cases, challenge senior stakeholders and provide commercially practical advice. You will also lead and develop a small, experienced HR team, helping to build a scalable and high-performing HR function as the company continues to grow.
Why apply? This is a rare opportunity to join a successful family run national business offering:
- Performance-related bonus of up to 25%
- Hybrid working three days in the office and two from home
- Holiday allowance increasing with service
- Holiday buy and sell scheme
- Enhanced maternity and paternity benefits
- Company pension
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Wellbeing benefits
- Free onsite parking
- Long-term career development and progression
The role As Head of Human Resources, you will:
- Provide expert UK employment law and HR advice across the business
- Manage complex employee relations cases and high-risk people matters
- Advise on disciplinary, grievance, absence, capability, performance and ill-health cases
- Support ACAS matters, negotiations, settlement discussions and dispute resolution
- Identify employment risks early and recommend appropriate action
- Ensure HR policies, processes and documentation remain legally robust
- Coach managers on process, documentation, risk and decision-making
- Provide clear, pragmatic and commercially focused advice to senior leaders
- Challenge and influence senior stakeholders with confidence
- Support TUPE, restructures, acquisitions and organisational change
- Lead, coach and develop a small HR team
- Promote consistent and legally compliant people-management practices
- Help develop a scalable HR function for a growing national organisation
About you You will have extensive knowledge of UK employment law and a strong track record of handling complex employee relations matters. Applications are welcomed from candidates currently working as a:
- Head of HR
- Senior HR Manager
- Employee Relations Lead
- Senior Employee Relations Manager
- Employment Lawyer
- Employment Law Consultant
- Senior HR Business Partner
- HR Compliance or People Risk Lead
You may come from a legal, employment law consultancy, employee relations or senior HR background. Different career routes will be considered, provided you have the necessary technical expertise, judgement and leadership capability. You are likely to have either:
- At least five years specialist employment law experience within legal practice, consultancy or an advisory environment
- Significant senior HR experience, ideally around 15 years, involving complex ER, employment law, compliance and senior stakeholder support
You should also have experience of:
- Complex and high-risk employee relations cases
- Dispute prevention and resolution
- Settlement discussions
- Employment law compliance
- Advising senior and operational leaders
- Coaching managers through sensitive people issues
- Balancing legal risk, fairness, process and commercial requirements
- Leading or developing HR professionals
A CIPD qualification would be advantageous, although candidates with equivalent senior HR experience or specialist employment law expertise will also be considered. Experience within a national or multi-site operational business would be beneficial. Relevant sectors could include construction, property services, social housing, facilities management, maintenance, manufacturing, engineering or other field-based environments.
Location and hybrid working The position is based at the company’s head office in North Lanarkshire, and is commutable from Glasgow, Motherwell, Hamilton, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld and the wider Central Belt. The normal working pattern is:
- Three days per week in the Airdrie office
- Two days per week working from home
- Occasional travel to other UK locations
- Attendance at senior leadership and board meetings when required
This is an excellent opportunity for an employment law or complex ER specialist who wants to move into, or continue developing within, a senior HR leadership role. You will join a growing national organisation with good HR processes already in place, a strong employee relations record and a clear commitment to proactive people-risk management. Apply today for a confidential discussion.
Head of HR employer: RecruitMe
Join a leading firm in the Fire Protection sector, where your expertise as a Quantity Surveyor will be valued and rewarded. With a competitive salary package, including a car allowance and bonus potential, we foster a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. Located in the vibrant East Anglia and Northern Home Counties, you'll enjoy a dynamic environment that encourages innovation and collaboration while making a meaningful impact in public sector projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of HR
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at RecruitMe!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at RecruitMe.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of HR
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at RecruitMe. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to RecruitMe and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at RecruitMe. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to RecruitMe's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at RecruitMe
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with RecruitMe.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at RecruitMe will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact RecruitMe and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
