At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR strategies and enhance employee engagement in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Established organisation in Oxford with a focus on operational excellence.
- Benefits: Salary of £75,000-£85,000, hybrid working, and supportive leadership.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence organisational culture and performance.
- Why this job: Shape the people agenda and drive impactful HR transformation.
- Qualifications: Proven senior HR leadership experience and strong operational background.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 85000 £ per year.
Description Head of HRLocation: Oxford (4 days office-based, 1 day working from home, with occasional travel)Salary: 75,000 - 85,000 per annum About the Role Robert Half are working with a well-established organisation in Oxford to recruit a Head of HR.
This is a key leadership role responsible for delivering a pragmatic and effective people strategy that supports business performance, operational excellence, and employee engagement.
Working closely with senior leaders, you will provide both strategic direction and hands-on operational HR leadership.
The successful candidate will be comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment, balancing day-to-day people challenges with longer-term organisational priorities.
Alongside leading the people agenda, you will play a key role in driving continuous improvement across the HR function, reviewing and enhancing processes, systems, and ways of working to ensure the team delivers an efficient, commercially focused service that meets the needs of the business.
This role would particularly suit an HR leader who has experience supporting large blue-collar workforces within sectors such as retail, manufacturing, logistics, travel, transportation, distribution, or other operationally focused environments.
Key Responsibilities Lead the HR function, ensuring the delivery of a professional, commercially focused people service across the organisation.
Partner with senior stakeholders to develop and implement people strategies aligned to business objectives.
Take ownership of complex employee relations matters, providing expert guidance and ensuring consistent application of policy and best practice.
Coach and support managers at all levels, building leadership capability and confidence in people management.
Drive workforce planning, talent management, and succession planning initiatives.
Lead organisational change and transformation projects where required.
Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, policies, systems, and reporting, driving greater efficiency and consistency across the employee lifecycle.
Champion continuous improvement within the HR function, ensuring services are scalable, customer-focused, and aligned to business needs.
Use people data and insights to identify trends, inform decision-making, and support operational performance.
Manage, mentor, and develop a small central HR team, fostering a high-performance and customer-focused culture.
Ensure compliance with employment legislation and HR best practice.
About You Proven experience in a senior HR leadership role, ideally as a Head of HR, Senior HR Business Partner, HR Manager, or similar.
Strong operational HR background with the ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
Significant employee relations expertise, including managing complex and sensitive cases.
Experience coaching, developing, and influencing managers across all levels of an organisation.
Demonstrable experience leading and developing HR teams.
A track record of improving HR processes, implementing change, and driving operational efficiencies.
Strong understanding of UK employment law and HR best practice.
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
Experience supporting large, dispersed, blue-collar workforces is highly desirable.
Background within sectors such as retail, manufacturing, logistics, travel, transportation, distribution, warehousing, or other operational environments would be advantageous.
What's on Offer Salary of 75,000-85,000 Hybrid working pattern of 4 days in the office and 1 day working from home.
A highly visible leadership role with significant influence across the organisation.
The opportunity to shape and drive the people agenda within a complex operational environment.
The chance to support HR transformation and process improvement initiatives that deliver tangible business impact.
A supportive leadership team and the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to organisational performance, culture, and leadership capability.
Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions.
Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply.
Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training.
If you wish to apply, please read our Privacy Notice describing how we may process, disclose and store your personal data: roberthalf. com/gb/en/privacy-notice.
Job type Perm Industry Human Resources and Personnel
Head of HR in Oxford employer: Robert Half
At Robert Half, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As an IT Project Manager, you'll have the opportunity to lead transformative projects in a highly regulated environment, supported by a team that values professional growth and development. With competitive benefits and a commitment to employee well-being, we ensure that our team members thrive both personally and professionally in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of HR in Oxford
✨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 Robert Half!
✨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 Robert Half.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of HR in Oxford
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 Robert Half. 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 Robert Half 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 Robert Half. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Robert Half'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 Robert Half
✨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 Robert Half.
✨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 Robert Half 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 Robert Half and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
