Interim Head of HR - Maternity Contract - September start!
Interim Head of HR - Maternity Contract - September start!

Interim Head of HR - Maternity Contract - September start!

Temporary 70000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
SAISEI TALENT

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead HR initiatives across a creative and dynamic business, supporting 150 employees.
  • Company: Join a unique entrepreneurial company in Soho, London.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and a vibrant culture.
  • Other info: Opportunity for growth in a non-corporate, innovative setting.
  • Why this job: Embrace variety and autonomy in a fast-paced, creative environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in standalone HR roles and strong interpersonal skills.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 80000 £ per year.

Interim Head of HR (FTC - 13 months) Soho, London + multi-site travel Maternity Cover - Starting in September 2026 until October 2027 FTC £70,000–£80,000 + benefits

Saisei Talent are delighted to be partnering with a truly unique creative and entrepreneurial business to find an experienced HR Lead to join them on a maternity cover contract from September 2026 through to October 2027. This is a genuinely varied and highly autonomous HR role, sitting across a creative business, private office and emerging media/music arm, supporting around 150 employees across London and regional UK locations.

The business operates in a highly agile, fast-moving way, so flexibility works both ways here. While the role offers autonomy and trust around managing your time, there will also be occasions where urgent situations arise outside traditional office hours, particularly when supporting the private office or household staffing side of the business. In return, the culture is genuinely flexible, output-focused and built around giving people the freedom to work in a way that works for them.

One day you might be supporting a studio team through an ER issue, the next overseeing payroll, hiring household staff for the private office, or helping shape contracts for musicians and producers. It’s varied, fast-moving and often unpredictable, so this role needs someone who genuinely enjoys operating in that kind of environment. The culture is entrepreneurial, highly trusted and very non-corporate. This role would suit someone who enjoys being embedded in a business rather than sitting behind process. Someone pragmatic, emotionally intelligent and calm under pressure, who can flex between operational detail and bigger-picture thinking without needing a large team around them.

You’ll be responsible for the full employee lifecycle across a diverse employee population, including employee relations, recruitment, payroll oversight, manager support, organisational change and day-to-day HR operations. You’ll also support the private office side of the business, where discretion, responsiveness and good judgement are hugely important.

The environment itself is incredibly creative and varied, spanning studios, production environments, household staffing and an evolving music/media arm. No two days will look the same, and the person coming into this role needs to be comfortable with ambiguity, changing priorities and an ebb-and-flow workload.

We’re looking for someone who:

  • Has operated in a senior standalone or lean HR environment before
  • Is confident managing ER, recruitment and HR operations end-to-end
  • Can build credibility quickly with a wide range of personalities and stakeholders
  • Is comfortable working autonomously without heavy structure or hand-holding
  • Brings resilience, sound judgement and a calm, pragmatic approach
  • Enjoys fast-moving creative environments where priorities can shift quickly
  • Understands how to balance flexibility with boundaries and professionalism

Experience within creative, media, production, private office or founder-led businesses would be particularly valuable. The role is based primarily across Soho and other London sites, with occasional travel to regional locations when needed.

This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who enjoys broad, hands-on HR within a creatively driven and fast-moving environment, and who thrives on variety, autonomy and building trusted relationships across a business.

Saisei Talent are an equal opportunity agency and will consider all applications. We are dedicated to hiring diverse talent and ensuring that we treat you with respect and support throughout the interview process. We strive to include diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in our everyday work, and we commit to using these for our business and for all our Clients & Candidates.

Interim Head of HR - Maternity Contract - September start! employer: SAISEI TALENT

Join a dynamic and entrepreneurial company that values creativity and flexibility, offering an exceptional work culture where autonomy and trust are paramount. As the Interim Head of HR, you'll thrive in a fast-paced environment, supporting a diverse workforce across various creative sectors while enjoying opportunities for personal growth and development. With a focus on output and a non-corporate atmosphere, this role is perfect for those who appreciate variety and the chance to make a meaningful impact.
SAISEI TALENT

Contact Detail:

SAISEI TALENT Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Interim Head of HR - Maternity Contract - September start!

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up social media platforms like LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job.

✨Tip Number 2

Be ready for the unexpected! In a fast-moving environment like this, things can change on a dime. Prepare yourself for interviews by thinking on your feet and being adaptable. Show them you can handle whatever comes your way!

✨Tip Number 3

Show off your personality! This role is all about creativity and autonomy, so let your unique self shine through in interviews. Share your experiences and how you've thrived in similar environments to prove you're the perfect fit.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It gives us a chance to get to know you better and ensures you don’t miss out on any opportunities. Plus, it’s super easy!

We think you need these skills to ace Interim Head of HR - Maternity Contract - September start!

Employee Relations Management
Recruitment
Payroll Oversight
Organisational Change
HR Operations
Emotional Intelligence
Calm Under Pressure
Pragmatic Approach
Stakeholder Management
Autonomy in HR Functions
Adaptability to Fast-Moving Environments
Discretion and Good Judgement
Creativity in HR Solutions
Building Trusted Relationships

Some tips for your application 🫡

Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your passion for HR and creativity. This role is all about being authentic and relatable.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in fast-paced, creative environments. We’re looking for someone who can flex between operational detail and bigger-picture thinking, so showcase those skills!

Showcase Your Flexibility: Since this role involves a lot of variety and unpredictability, it’s important to demonstrate your adaptability. Share examples of how you've successfully navigated changing priorities or handled urgent situations in the past.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it makes the process smoother for everyone involved!

How to prepare for a job interview at SAISEI TALENT

✨Know the Business Inside Out

Before your interview, take some time to research the company’s culture, values, and recent projects. Understanding their creative and entrepreneurial spirit will help you connect your experience to their needs, especially in a fast-moving environment.

✨Showcase Your Flexibility

Given the unpredictable nature of this role, be prepared to discuss examples from your past where you've successfully adapted to changing priorities. Highlight your ability to remain calm under pressure and how you’ve managed urgent situations effectively.

✨Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence

This role requires building credibility with diverse personalities. Be ready to share instances where your emotional intelligence has helped you navigate complex employee relations or recruitment challenges, showcasing your pragmatic approach.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-time scenarios. Think about how you would handle specific HR challenges in a creative environment, such as managing an employee relations issue or overseeing payroll in a tight timeframe.

Interim Head of HR - Maternity Contract - September start!
SAISEI TALENT

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