Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR initiatives, improve employee engagement, and support business growth.
- Company: Dynamic automotive business with rapid growth and acquisition focus.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, strong benefits, and travel opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity for ownership and visibility in a fast-paced setting.
- Why this job: Shape the HR function and make a real impact in a growing environment.
- Qualifications: Proven UK HR leadership experience and strong employee relations skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Robert Half is working with a large automotive business to appoint a senior HR leader for its UK operations. This is a newly created role, reporting into an international parent business. The company is growing quickly, including through acquisition, so this is not a steady-state HR role. It needs someone who can bring structure, pace and credibility to a changing environment.
You’ll act as the senior HR lead for the UK, partnering closely with the leadership team and helping shape how HR operates as the business continues to scale. This is a broad role, covering both strategic and hands-on HR. You’ll be involved in building processes, improving employee engagement, supporting acquisition integration, advising leadership teams and developing the HR function as the business grows.
Key Responsibilities- Lead HR activity across the UK, ensuring the business has the right people, processes and structure in place to support growth
- Partner with senior leaders on workforce planning, organisational design, employee engagement and people strategy
- Support the integration of newly acquired businesses, helping align culture, process and ways of working
- Provide guidance on complex employee relations matters, including grievances, performance and change management
- Build and develop a small HR team, with further scope to shape the function over time
- Create and improve HR policies, processes and reporting across the UK business
- Work closely with the international parent business to ensure UK HR is aligned with wider group objectives
- A senior HR professional with proven UK HR leadership experience
- Experience working in a growing, international or acquisition-led business would be highly beneficial
- Comfortable operating in a role that is both strategic and hands-on
- Confident partnering with senior leadership teams and influencing at executive level
- Strong employee relations experience, with the ability to navigate complex situations
- Someone pragmatic, commercial and able to bring structure to a fast-moving environment
- Competitive Salary
- Bonus scheme
- Strong benefits package
- Birmingham-based role with some travel
- Opportunity to be the senior UK HR lead and genuinely shape the function
- This is a strong opportunity for someone who wants ownership, visibility and the chance to build something properly within a growing UK business.
HR Director employer: Robert Half
Contact Detail:
Robert Half Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the HR field, especially those in similar roles. Attend industry events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn – you never know who might have the inside scoop on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s culture and recent developments. Since this role is all about shaping HR in a fast-paced environment, be ready to discuss how you can bring structure and credibility to their operations. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but a perfect match for their vision!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to clearly articulate your experience in both strategic and hands-on HR. Think about specific examples where you’ve successfully navigated complex employee relations or led integration efforts during acquisitions. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged. Let’s get you that senior HR lead position and start shaping the future together!
We think you need these skills to ace HR Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of HR Director. Highlight your experience in leading HR in fast-paced environments and any work you've done with acquisitions. We want to see how you can bring structure and credibility to our growing business!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've partnered with leadership teams and improved employee engagement in previous roles. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Strategic Mindset: In your application, emphasise your ability to think strategically while also being hands-on. We’re looking for someone who can balance both sides effectively, so make sure to highlight experiences where you've successfully navigated complex employee relations or organisational design.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Robert Half
✨Know the Business Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the automotive business and its recent acquisitions. Understand their culture, values, and how HR can support their growth. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your strategic thinking and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Prepare for Complex Scenarios
Given the nature of the role, be ready to discuss complex employee relations situations you've navigated in the past. Think of specific examples where you successfully managed grievances or performance issues, and be prepared to explain your thought process and outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Strategic and Hands-On Experience
This role requires a balance of strategic oversight and hands-on HR work. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully led HR initiatives while also being involved in day-to-day operations. Highlight any experience you have in workforce planning and organisational design.
✨Engage with Leadership Mindset
Since you'll be partnering with senior leaders, practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Think about how you can influence at an executive level and be ready to share your vision for aligning HR with the company's objectives as it scales.