Head of HR in City of Westminster

Head of HR in City of Westminster

City of Westminster Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead HR transformation and strategy, ensuring a top-notch employee experience.
  • Company: Join the BBC, a leading media organisation with a commitment to innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on organisational change and employee engagement at a global level.
  • Qualifications: Extensive HR experience, particularly in transformation and unionised environments.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on continuous improvement and strategic workforce planning.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

The Head of HR (Transformation and Strategy) will lead the effective delivery of organisational transformation and restructuring while ensuring a consistently high-quality employee experience. The role will provide oversight of change programmes, maintaining a good relationship with the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), and ensure best practice execution across redeployment, bumping and related processes. It will also act as a strategic partner to the HRD, maintaining a clear People Plan, supporting preparation of performance reviews, aligning resource and capability to key strategic workstreams, and tracking progress against critical milestones. Flexing with business needs, the role will lead major restructuring activity when required and, in steadier periods, drive forward longer-term strategic priorities including skills, agile workforce development and workforce planning.

Responsibilities

  • Be a strategic people partner across News, shaping, driving and delivering transformation based on organisational priorities from the outset through to delivery.
  • Lead, provide oversight and accountability for divisional change programmes and people transformation across News in the UK and internationally, including:
  • Oversight of the people project portfolio across News ensuring consistency of strategy, approach, timelines and people impact.
  • Develop the people first transformation roadmap and plan ensuring people experience is at the heart of the way we deliver change.
  • Planning, coordinating, tracking and managing multiple change programmes, working with the Heads of HR and HRBPs for impacted areas, ensuring best practice in areas such as pooling, bumping, and managing collective consultations and exits.
  • Reviewing and contributing to overarching business cases.
  • Attending programme steercos and governance forums on behalf of News HR.
  • Leading union relationships relating to divisional change programmes ensuring positive relationships and the trust and confidence of the unions are maintained.
  • Delivering changes in T&Cs and working practices to unlock operational efficiencies and continuous improvement.
  • Act as a strategic partner to the HR Director, supporting pan-News HR activity including performance reviews, engagement survey activity and team away days.
  • Own and maintain the project plan underpinning delivery of the People Strategy, ensuring delivery remains on track, key milestones are met, and activity is appropriately resourced with the right capability.
  • Lead the introduction of strategic workforce planning across News, embedding future‑focused talent strategies that anticipate business needs, increase career mobility, and build a more agile, resilient workforce across both staff and contingent workers (e.g. freelancers) capable of adapting to ongoing transformation and industry shifts.
  • Deliver effective operational HR input oversight and advice including deputising for the HR Director where required and leading representation on local business governing boards including NGAM and Business Ops committees.
  • Accountability for delivering the transformation elements of the BBC News people plan by working with Senior Leaders and News HR.
  • Partner with the Organisational Strategies team who lead operating model design and organisational design across the BBC.
  • Build effective relationships across News Board and other senior leaders.
  • Interpret and present people data to stakeholders to offer strategic insights on trends and issues.
  • Develop/manage relationships with recognised trade unions, employee representation groups, other external partners/professional organisations and networks.
  • Work collaboratively across BBC HR to identify emerging themes and business critical issues that can be addressed.
  • Proactively review and change ways of working to drive improvements to processes and the People Experience.
  • Keep up to date with external trends and best practice, sharing knowledge and best practice with colleagues to ensure News is sustainable and fit for the future.
  • Be an ambassador for the function and represent BBC HR internally and externally (as appropriate).
  • Be a collaborative team player who leads with integrity, brings others along the journey, and focuses on achieving the right outcomes together.
  • An in-depth knowledge of HR and transformation in a unionised environment and provides expert advice to handle the most complex situations independently.
  • Demonstrated track record of leading project and people programme delivery, placing employee experience at the core.
  • Delivery of large scale strategic and tactical transformation, with different drivers (cost, technology, growth etc.).
  • Proven experience in navigating complex, matrix environments, with insight into how sub‑departmental areas, processes, and resources align to achieve functional and divisional objectives.
  • Experience in understanding key financial drivers.
  • Adept at managing numerous, diverse senior and executive level stakeholders, often operating under tight timescales and managing numerous competing priorities.
  • A convincing and persuasive communicator, required to modify beliefs and opinions of teams, as well as senior stakeholders, able to establish effective and collaborative relations across BBC departments, and external agencies/stakeholders where required.
  • International HR experience.
  • Desired but not required

    • Experience working within a fast‑paced News or Media environment, with an understanding of its unique operational and editorial demands.
    • Proven track record of delivering global transformation programmes across multiple jurisdictions, navigating cultural, regulatory, and organisational complexity.
    • Experience within a consultancy environment (e.g. professional services or management consulting firms).

    Head of HR in City of Westminster employer: The Bbc

    As the Head of HR at BBC News, you will be part of a dynamic and innovative organisation that prioritises employee experience and transformation. With a strong commitment to professional development, collaborative work culture, and strategic partnerships, BBC News offers unique opportunities for growth in a fast-paced media environment. Join us in shaping the future of news while enjoying a supportive atmosphere that values integrity and teamwork.
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    Contact Detail:

    The Bbc Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Head of HR in City of Westminster

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their recent projects and challenges, especially in HR transformation. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your experience in leading change programmes and managing relationships with unions, as these are key aspects of the 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 engage directly with us.

    We think you need these skills to ace Head of HR in City of Westminster

    Organisational Transformation
    Change Management
    Employee Experience
    Union Relations
    Project Management
    Strategic Workforce Planning
    Stakeholder Management
    Data Interpretation
    Collaboration
    HR Best Practices
    Performance Management
    Agile Workforce Development
    Communication Skills
    Problem-Solving Skills
    Leadership

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Head of HR role. Highlight your experience in organisational transformation and employee experience, as these are key aspects of the job.

    Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In your application, demonstrate how you've successfully led change programmes or strategic initiatives in the past. Use examples that illustrate your ability to manage complex projects and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, especially in a unionised environment.

    Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and ensure your application is easy to read. This will help us quickly see how you fit into the role and the impact you could have on our team.

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. This ensures it gets to the right people and allows us to track your application effectively. Plus, it’s super easy to do!

    How to prepare for a job interview at The Bbc

    ✨Know Your Transformation Strategies

    Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and best practices in organisational transformation. Be ready to discuss how you would approach change programmes, especially in a unionised environment, and share examples from your past experiences.

    ✨Build Relationships with Stakeholders

    Demonstrate your ability to manage diverse senior stakeholders by preparing examples of how you've built effective relationships in previous roles. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve navigated complex environments to achieve successful outcomes.

    ✨Showcase Your People-Centric Approach

    Since the role focuses on employee experience, be prepared to discuss how you prioritise people in transformation processes. Share specific instances where you’ve successfully implemented changes that positively impacted employees and enhanced their experience.

    ✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

    Expect questions that require you to think on your feet. Prepare for scenario-based questions related to managing change, handling union relationships, or leading performance reviews. Practising these scenarios will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.

    Head of HR in City of Westminster
    The Bbc
    Location: City of Westminster
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