Head of HR (People and Culture), Southampton, £46,000.00 - £50,000.00
Employment Type
Maternity Cover
Application Start Date
20-10-2026
Application End Date
16-11-2026
Location
Southampton
State/County
Hampshire
SO14 3FR
Country
United Kingdom
Work Style
Hybrid
Non-profit charitable organisations
Category
Management and supervisory
Position
Other management
Description
Head of (HR) People and Culture (Maternity Cover)
Southampton/Hybrid – with travel across Hampshire to SSJ operational sites
Salary: £46,000 – £50,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Hours: Part time 30 hours or full time 37 hours
Contract Type: Fixed Term (Maternity Cover, up to 12 months)
About the Society of St James (SSJ)
The Society of St James is a leading Hampshire-based homelessness charity delivering housing, care, and support services to vulnerable adults across the region. We are passionate about empowering individuals to overcome challenges related to homelessness, addiction, mental health, and social exclusion, creating lasting positive change in our communities.
About the Role
Are you an experienced operational HR leader looking to make a real impact in the charity and supported housing sector?
We are seeking a Head of People and Culture to provide senior operational leadership across our HR and People function during a period of maternity leave. Working closely with the Executive Director of People and Culture, you will play a vital role in translating our strategic goals into smooth, high-quality, day-to-day HR operations.
In this hands‑on leadership post, you will lead an established operational team to deliver responsive employee relations guidance, talent acquisition, policy implementation, compliance management, and payroll integrations across SSJ.
You will report to the Executive Director of People and Culture and be accountable for the Training Manager, People & Culture Advisors, and the People & Culture Admin.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership: Lead and manage the operational People and Culture team (Advisors, Administrators, and Training Lead), embedding high standards of service delivery.
Employee Relations & Advisory: Oversee complex employee relations casework, formal disciplinaries, grievances, absence management, and trade union consultations.
Recruitment & Onboarding: Manage day‑to‑day talent acquisition workflows, values‑based recruitment, and pre‑employment compliance checks.
Policy & Compliance Assurance: Ensure strict operational compliance with UK employment law, Right to Work, DBS standards, CQC requirements, and GDPR.
Systems & Payroll Integration: Oversee HRIS operations, produce operational workforce metrics, and manage monthly payroll data coordination with Finance.
Change Management: Support service managers through organisational change, restructuring, and TUPE transfers.
Who We Are Looking For
To succeed in this role, you will have:
Qualifications: A CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 qualification (Associate or Chartered status) or equivalent extensive operational HR leadership experience.
Operational HR Expertise: Substantial experience managing operational HR service delivery and direct line management of HR team members.
Employee Relations Mastery: Proven experience advising line managers on complex ER cases, TUPE processes, restructuring, and working constructively with trade unions.
Compliance Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of UK employment law, statutory pre‑employment standards (DBS/Right to Work), CQC regulations, and GDPR.
Skills: Strong problem‑solving abilities, proficiency with HRIS systems and data reporting, and a collaborative, solution‑focused communication style.
Mobility & Values: Alignment with SSJ’s core mission and values, plus a valid UK Driving Licence with access to a vehicle for operational site visits.
Sector Experience: Prior experience in the charity, social care, voluntary, or supported housing sector is highly desirable.
What We Offer
Competitive salary of £46,000 – £50,000 per annum.
Generous annual leave and sick pay, employer pension, salary sacrifice, flexible working.
Up to 12 months fixed‑term contract offering senior leadership experience in a values‑driven organisation.
A supportive, collaborative working environment working directly alongside the Executive Director.
The opportunity to shape workplace culture and support teams making a genuine difference to vulnerable people.
SSJ are an equal opportunity employer and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life.
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounted laptops and computers with Jamie’s Computers
- Employer pension contributions via salary sacrifice
- Flexible working opportunities
- Counselling, financial, personal support, and health and well-being services via our Employee Assistance Programme
If you are offered a job role, part of our background checks will be a Disclosure and Barring Check - including criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or final warnings or barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.
For further information about DBS checks visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service
For information on which convitions you must declare, visit the DBS filtering guide : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-filtering-guidance/dbs-filtering-guide
Do you have any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or final warnings that are not protected (filtered) under current DBS rules? __________________ (Job roles working directly with children or vulnerable adults often mean you must declare all convictions even spent convictions) * Required
Do you have any unspent convictions in a Court of Law under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974? * Required
Are you currently barred from working with children and/or vulnerable adults? * Required
If YES - to any of these questions (criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or final warnings or barred from working with children or vulnerable adults) please provide details here:
Reasonable adjustments
Do you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process? * Required
If yes (you required reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process) - please provide details of your request below...
Have you been subject to misconduct investigations or formal disciplinary procedures in any of your previous employment? Please provide details.
Have you been subject to misconduct investigations or formal disciplinary procedures in any of your previous employment? Please provide details. * Required
If 'yes' (you have been subject to misconduct investigations or formal disciplinary procedures in any of your previous employment) Please provide details below.
Do you currently have the legal right to work in the UK?
Do you currently have the legal right to work in the UK? * Required
Will you require visa sponsorship to work in the UK? Please note that we are not a licensed sponsor and cannot provide visa sponsorship. * Required
This role involves regular local travel to various SSJ projects. Are you able to meet the travel requirements of this role (whether by personal vehicle, public transport, taxi, or alternative accessible arrangements)?
This role involves regular local travel to various SSJ projects. Are you able to meet the travel requirements of this role (whether by personal vehicle, public transport, taxi, or alternative accessible arrangements)? * Required
Society of St James may wish to add your CV and application details to our talent pool and keep you informed of future job opportunities.
Do you consent the Society of St James retaining your CV and application details for our talent pool, and to contact you about future job opportunities? * Required
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Head of HR (People and Culture) in Southampton employer: Society of St James
The Society of St James (SSJ) is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable individuals across Hampshire. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, SSJ offers generous benefits such as flexible working options, comprehensive training, and support services, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture. Join us to be part of a passionate team that values your contributions and empowers you to grow while making a difference in the community.
