At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR strategy for Technology & Group Functions, shaping people strategy for long-term success.
- Company: Join Royal Mail Group, a historic organisation undergoing significant transformation.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and the chance to influence a major UK institution.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with senior leaders and drive impactful change in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be a pivotal leader in shaping the future of a renowned organisation during its transformation.
- Qualifications: Significant HR experience, strong business acumen, and relevant qualifications required.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Location: London, Farringdon – hybrid working with 3 days in office
Contract: 12 month FTC
Reporting to: HR Director, Strategic Business Partnering
About the Role
Royal Mail Group is undergoing one of the most significant organisational transformations in its history. To support this evolution, we are seeking a highly strategic, commercially minded HR Director to lead the people agenda across our Corporate Centre Technology & International Distribution Services (IDS) Group Functions. This is a pivotal leadership role, partnering directly with the CIO, Group Leaders and their senior teams to shape and deliver a people strategy that builds the organisational capabilities required for long‑term success. You will ensure that people strategy is fully aligned with business strategy, while driving the execution and ongoing development of a Strategic People Plan for these critical functions. As a senior member of the HR Leadership Team, you will work closely with our Centres of Expertise (CoEs), Shared Services and wider HR community to shape RMG‑wide people strategy, strengthen HR operational delivery, and lead the transformation of head office functions. You will also act as the day‑to‑day HR lead for our union relationship, ensuring constructive, progressive and future‑focused industrial relations.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and lead the end‑to‑end HR strategy for Technology & Group Functions, ensuring alignment with business priorities and long‑term organisational goals.
- Shape and deploy the transformation agenda, focusing on workforce design, future skills, organisational efficiency and opportunities for growth.
- Partner the CIO, Group Leaders and their senior teams to co‑create a people strategy that enables sustained business performance.
- Lead the deployment of the people strategy, ensuring it is embedded across central functions and supports the achievement of business outcomes.
- Act as strategic HR consultant and coach to senior leaders, enhancing leadership capability and strengthening leadership team effectiveness.
- Manage employee and industrial relations, both operationally and strategically, ensuring alignment with RMG’s ambition for constructive, progressive industrial relations.
- Oversee senior talent activity, including senior hires, promotions, talent moves, capability development and exits.
- Support RMG‑wide talent initiatives, contributing to talent processes and developing individuals within the talent pipeline.
- Create the conditions for HR Business Partnering teams to succeed, ensuring clarity, alignment and strong collaboration.
- Work collaboratively with CoEs and Shared Services, providing strategic input into key HR processes that drive performance and engagement (e.g. performance management, talent forums, succession planning).
- Build strategic external relationships to ensure our people approaches remain current, competitive and effective in specialist and niche areas.
Skills & Capabilities
- Strong business acumen, with the ability to articulate the link between business strategy, people strategy and organisational performance.
- Commercially astute, with a track record of making decisions based on clear cost‑benefit analysis and delivering measurable returns.
- Exceptional execution capability, able to translate strategy into action and manage multiple priorities effectively.
- Politically aware, with the ability to navigate complex organisational dynamics and diverse internal/external cultures.
- Outstanding communication, negotiation, consultancy and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust at all levels.
- Deep understanding of UK employment law, emerging people trends and best practice in HR.
- Expert knowledge of UK trade union legislation and experience working in highly unionised environments.
- Resilient, flexible and collaborative, with the ability to drive business change through people.
Experience Required
- Significant experience leading HR in both generalist and specialist capacities.
- Corporate Functions/Technology experience.
- Proven expertise in complex organisational design, development and change, ideally within a dynamic, challenging environment.
- Target Operating Model experience.
- Demonstrated success in designing and improving organisational infrastructures to deliver measurable business outcomes.
- Extensive experience operating in a FTSE 100 matrix organisation with strong union representation.
- Strong track record of delivering strategic HR services in large, complex organisations.
- Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to understand underlying needs and align them with organisational direction.
- Experience managing interfaces between business units, CoEs, strategic HR and shared services to deliver a seamless HR experience.
Qualifications
- Degree‑level education or extensive equivalent experience.
- Relevant CIPD accreditation or equivalent professional qualification.
Why Join RMG?
This is a rare opportunity to influence the future of one of the UK’s most iconic organisations at a time of significant transformation. You will shape the people strategy for functions at the heart of RMG’s modernisation, working with senior leaders to build the workforce, capabilities and culture needed for long‑term success.
HR Director - Technology and Group Functions - 12 mth FTC in London employer: Royal Mail
Royal Mail Group is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead HR strategy during a pivotal transformation in one of the UK's most iconic organisations. With a hybrid working model based in London, employees benefit from a collaborative work culture that prioritises professional growth, strategic influence, and the chance to shape the future workforce. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive environment that values innovation and employee engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Director - Technology and Group Functions - 12 mth FTC in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the HR field, especially those who have experience in corporate functions or technology. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s recent changes and challenges. Knowing the ins and outs of Royal Mail Group's transformation will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in their journey.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate how your experience aligns with the role of HR Director. Highlight your strategic thinking and ability to drive change, as these are key for this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Royal Mail Group.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Director - Technology and Group Functions - 12 mth FTC in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the HR Director role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking:In your application, emphasise your ability to link business strategy with people strategy. Share examples of how you've successfully implemented HR strategies in previous roles to demonstrate your strategic mindset.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As this is a senior role, it's crucial to showcase your leadership capabilities. Include specific instances where you've led teams or initiatives, particularly in complex environments, to illustrate your experience.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application is received promptly and allows us to keep track of all candidates efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Mail
✨Know Your Business Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Royal Mail Group's current transformation initiatives. Understand their business strategy and how the HR Director role aligns with it. This will help you articulate how your experience can directly contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to develop and implement a people strategy that aligns with business objectives. Highlight your experience in leading organisational change and how you've successfully partnered with senior leaders in the past.
✨Master the Art of Communication
As an HR Director, you'll need to influence and negotiate at all levels. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Be ready to discuss how you've built trust and managed relationships, especially in complex environments.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in HR, particularly in unionised settings, and how you navigated them. Prepare to discuss your approach to managing employee relations and driving change.
