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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the People team and shape culture, engagement, and performance across the organisation.
- Company: A growing professional services organisation based in Derbyshire.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on company culture and employee experience in a hands-on leadership role.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in senior HR roles with strong operational focus and leadership skills.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team dedicated to driving engagement and inclusion initiatives.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
A growing, Derbyshire-based professional services organisation is seeking an experienced Head of People to lead its operational People function and play a central role in shaping culture, engagement, and performance across the business. This is a hands-on leadership role for a pragmatic people professional who enjoys working closely with senior leaders, driving engagement initiatives, and ensuring excellent day-to-day HR delivery.
The Role
As Head of People, you will lead the People team and oversee all core people operations, including employee relations, performance management, recruitment delivery, and compliance. Partnering closely with the HR Director, you’ll help embed a strong, values-led culture and ensure people practices support wider business goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the operational People team, ensuring high-quality HR service delivery
- Act as escalation point for complex employee relations and performance matters
- Drive culture, engagement, and inclusion initiatives aligned to organisational values
- Oversee recruitment activity and ensure a strong candidate experience
- Embed effective performance management and manager capability
- Use people data and insight to inform decisions and improve employee experience
- Ensure compliance with employment law, policies, and best practice
The Successful Candidate
- 5+ years’ experience in a senior HR/People role with strong operational focus
- Proven leader with the ability to develop high-performing teams
- Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practice
- Confident influencing senior stakeholders and coaching managers
- Experience with engagement surveys, culture initiatives, and DEI programmes
- CIPD (or equivalent) qualification preferred
Head of People employer: SF Executive
Contact Detail:
SF Executive Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of People
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. We want you to show how your experience aligns with their mission. Tailor your responses to highlight your hands-on leadership style and how you can drive engagement initiatives.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers. We suggest focusing on your ability to manage complex employee relations and performance matters, as these are key in the Head of People role.
✨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 take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of People
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Head of People role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant HR initiatives you've led, as this will show us you're the right fit for our culture.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about shaping culture and engagement in a professional services environment. Share specific examples of how you've driven similar initiatives in the past.
Showcase Your People Skills: In your application, don’t forget to highlight your ability to influence senior stakeholders and coach managers. We want to see how you’ve successfully navigated complex employee relations and performance matters in your previous roles.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at SF Executive
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of employment law and HR best practices. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in engagement initiatives and culture-building, as these will be key topics during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams and driving performance. Think about specific situations where you've influenced senior stakeholders or improved team dynamics, as this will demonstrate your capability for the Head of People role.
✨Engagement is Key
Be ready to discuss how you've successfully implemented engagement surveys or DEI programmes in the past. This shows that you understand the importance of culture and inclusion, which are central to the role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's current people strategies and challenges. This not only shows your interest but also gives you a chance to demonstrate your strategic thinking and how you can contribute to their goals.
