Head of HR – UK & Europe

At Sunbelt Rentals, we're not just growing - we're transforming. As one of the UK's leading equipment rental businesses and part of a global organisation, we're investing in our people, our capabilities and our future. We're looking for an experienced and commercially minded HR leader to join us as Head of HR - UK & Europe. Reporting to the Chief Transformation Officer, this is a highly influential leadership role within our senior People team.

Working alongside colleagues across our HR Centres of Expertise and wider People Team, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering our people strategy, ensuring it supports the achievement of our business objectives across the UK and Europe. As part of the senior People leadership team, you will contribute to the development of strategic people priorities, whilst taking accountability for translating those priorities into practical, high-quality HR delivery that drives business performance.

As Head of HR you will act as trusted advisor to the Executive Board members and senior leaders, providing insight, challenge and support on all aspects of people, organisation and culture whilst they navigate organisational growth, transformation, capability development and workforce challenges. Alongside your strategic contribution the key focus of your role will be to lead our HR Business Partnering, People Advisory and Employee Relations teams ensuring the business receives high-quality, consistent and commercially focused people support.

This role offers a unique opportunity to combine strategic influence, partnering with senior leaders and operational leadership within a business that genuinely values the contribution HR makes to organisational success. Due to the scope of the role we are looking for an experienced HR leader, who is equally comfortable influencing at Board level, leading organisational change, driving operational excellence and developing high-performing teams as they are in running a day to day HR function.

• Contribute to the development and delivery of the UK & Europe people strategy as part of the senior People leadership team.
• Lead the development and execution of integrated people plans aligned to business priorities.
• Lead and develop the HR Business Partner, People Advisory and Employee Relations teams, ensuring exceptional service delivery and commercial support to the business.
• Work collaboratively with HR Centres of Expertise to ensure effective delivery of talent, learning, reward, organisational development, engagement and inclusion initiatives.
• Lead the people aspects of business transformation, organisational change and growth initiatives.
• Ensure robust, commercially focused employee relations practices that balance risk management with business performance.
• Drive continuous improvement across HR processes, service delivery and people outcomes.
• Use people insights and data to inform decision-making and influence business strategy.
• Build organisational capability and leadership effectiveness across the business.
• Develop a high-performing HR team, creating an environment where colleagues can thrive and deliver exceptional support to the business.

What can we offer you in return? You’ll be joining a highly successful company, the UK’s largest equipment rental provider. We provide an Industry leading flexible rewards package including generous holiday allowance (with the opportunity to buy and sell annual leave), life assurance, retail discount scheme, employee recognition awards and a great Company pension scheme. You will also be entitled to a Company Car/Car Allowance, Laptop, Phone and Bonus Scheme as part of this role.

You will already be operating in a senior HR leadership role, potentially as a HR Director, Divisional HR Director, Senior HR Business Partner or Head of HR within a complex, fast-paced organisation. You will bring:

• Significant experience partnering leadership teams.
• A strong track record of influencing organisational performance through people strategies and interventions.
• Experience leading sizeable HR teams and delivering both strategic and operational HR outcomes.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to balance people priorities with business objectives.
• Experience operating within sectors such as construction, industrial services, engineering, logistics, manufacturing, infrastructure, distribution or similarly fast-paced operational environments.
• Credibility, resilience and gravitas, with the ability to build trusted relationships and influence effectively at all levels.
• Experience of organisational transformation, change management and business growth.
• A passion for developing high-performing teams and creating an outstanding employee experience.
• The ability to challenge constructively, influence confidently and operate effectively within a complex stakeholder environment.

This is an opportunity to join a business with significant ambition, investment and momentum. You'll be part of a leadership team that recognises the value of people in delivering business success and gives HR a genuine seat at the table. You'll have the opportunity to influence strategic decisions, lead meaningful transformation and shape the employee experience for thousands of colleagues across the UK and Europe.

At Sunbelt, the People Team is viewed as a strategic enabler of business success. You'll work alongside talented leaders across the People function and wider business, contribute to major transformation initiatives and have the freedom to make a tangible impact on the future direction of the organisation. While the role carries the title Head of HR, the scope, influence and accountability are comparable to many senior HR positions, with direct exposure to the Executive Board and responsibility for helping shape and deliver people strategy across the UK and Europe.

If you're looking for a role that combines strategic influence, executive partnering and operational leadership with the opportunity to make a lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.