Director of People in London

Would you like to shape the future of people leadership across a major national charity? Are you an experienced People Director who has led at senior level in a complex organisation and knows how to turn strategy into delivery? Can you bring the clarity, pace and judgement needed to lead a broad People function spanning operations, talent, reward, workforce planning and people insight? Reporting to the Executive Director of People & Culture, we are looking for a Director of People to lead and integrate our People function, ensuring we have the right structures, capability and culture in place to deliver our organisational priorities.

This is a senior leadership role for someone who has already operated at Director level, with direct experience of leading and managing a senior People/HR team. You will bring strong experience from a charity or not-for-profit organisation or a personal connection to the Armed Forces Community through service, family or lived experience. We will only be considering candidates who are able to evidence the following criteria:

• CIPD qualification at MCIPD or FCIPD level.
• Operated at Director level, with responsibility for leading a People/HR function in a complex organisation.
• Directly leading and managing a senior People/HR team.
• Significant experience working within a charity/not-for-profit organisation or a personal connection to the Armed Forces Community (serving, veteran, reservist, spouse/partner or family member).

London-based, hub worker (2 days per week in London). Come and be part of the leading Armed Forces charity, making a difference to the lives of those who have served to keep us safe and protect our way of life.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the organisation’s People strategy, ensuring alignment with wider organisational priorities and future capability needs.
• Oversee a full People function including HR operations, business partnering, talent, reward, learning and people data.
• Act as a key advisor to the Executive team on workforce planning, organisational design, change and people risk.
• Build strong leadership capability across the organisation and ensure managers are equipped to lead their teams effectively.
• Use data, insight and evidence to shape decisions and improve organisational performance.

This is a high-impact leadership role where you will have the opportunity to shape how we attract, develop and retain our people, while strengthening leadership capability and driving a consistent, high-quality people experience across the organisation. You will be joining at a time where there is real focus on building for the future, giving you space to influence, modernise and make a visible difference. You will be contracted to our Haig House hub, with a minimum expectation of two days per week working in person at the hub. Please note that this in-person requirement is non-negotiable. Outside of these days, there is flexibility to work remotely/from home when not on site.

Employee benefits include:

• 28 day’s paid holiday (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with optional annual leave purchase scheme of up to 5 working days.
• Private Healthcare.
• Enhanced paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• Generous pension contributions, with Employer contributions ranging from 6% to 10%.
• Range of flexible working options may be available, depending on your role.
• Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential counselling, financial and legal advice.
• Range of courses delivered by learning specialists to support your development goals and objectives.
• Opportunities to volunteer.
• Travel loans, Cycle to Work, and more!

For more detailed information about the role, please see the Job Description attached to our direct advert. Our teams take a personalised approach to shortlisting, which is carried out without the use of AI and is based on the evidence provided in your application against the essential and desirable criteria in the Person Specification. RBL is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation, reflecting the diversity of the armed forces community and of wider society. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and personal characteristics. As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interview schemes for candidates who declare an Armed Forces connection and/or a disability. However, candidates are only eligible for this scheme if their application clearly demonstrates that they meet all of the essential criteria listed in the Person Specification for the role. We may close this vacancy early if we believe we have enough strong applications to be able to successfully fill the role(s). Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

If you require the job advert or job description in an alternative format, please contact 0808 802 8080.

Since 1921, the Royal British Legion has been dedicated to supporting members of the Armed Forces community, and we will continue to be there for as long as we are needed, ensuring their unique contribution is never forgotten. As the UK's largest Armed Forces charity, we are proud to have over 180,000 members, 110,000 volunteers, 1,900 employees, and a wide network of partners and charities working together to provide lifelong support, whatever the need and whenever it is required. We are committed to supporting our people through flexible and hybrid working where possible, a strong focus on wellbeing, and opportunities to develop skills and grow careers while making a meaningful impact.