People Director

People Director

Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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UNiDAYS

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and develop a team while solving organisational challenges and enhancing employee relations.
  • Company: Join a global leader in student verification, shaping connections with top brands.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and comprehensive benefits including health insurance and bonuses.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment that values your growth and development.
  • Qualifications: Experience in senior HR roles, strong coaching skills, and a passion for people development.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for career advancement and team-building activities.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

We’re looking for a Director of People to join our team in a role that sits at the heart of how we support, develop and partner with the business. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, this person will own three core areas: business partnering, employee relations, and learning and development. This isn’t a broad generalist role — it’s for someone with a sharp commercial mind who genuinely enjoys rolling up their sleeves with leaders to solve real organisational challenges.

Equally important is how this person shows up within the People team itself: as a collaborative, connected leader who works closely with colleagues across People Ops, Compensation & Benefits, Talent Acquisition, and Employee Experience to ensure the team operates as one cohesive function. A key part of this role is leading and nurturing a small business partnering team. We want someone who is invested in helping team members grow, supporting them to develop their skills, build their confidence, and become stronger, more effective business partners over time.

Job Requirements

  • Must-haves
  • Significant experience in a senior People/HR business partnering role within a fast‑paced, scaling business
  • Strong employee relations expertise with a thorough grounding in UK employment law
  • Proven ability to coach and influence leaders, building relationships based on trust and constructive challenge
  • Experience leading and developing a team, with a genuine commitment to the growth of those around you
  • Demonstrated ability to design and deliver learning and development programmes
  • Commercially minded, with the ability to translate business priorities into practical people solutions
  • Clear, direct communicator — written and verbal
  • CIPD qualified or equivalent experience
  • Nice‑to‑haves
    • Exposure to employment law frameworks in the US, Australia, Germany, or India
    • Experience facilitating development sessions across a range of levels and functions
    • Background in organisations going through significant growth or transformation
    • Experience working across multiple geographies or in a global people team
    • Experience in B2B and B2C tech companies

    Job Responsibilities

    • Business Partnering
    • Build trusted, effective relationships with leaders across the business, acting as a credible and commercially minded thought partner
    • Support leaders in navigating people challenges, organisational design questions, and team effectiveness — bringing solutions rather than just advice
    • Coach and challenge managers at all levels to develop their own leadership capabilities
    • Understand the commercial priorities of the business and connect people activity to those goals
    • Lead, support, and actively develop the business partnering team, creating the conditions for them to learn, grow, and do their best work
  • Employee Relations & People Policies
    • Lead on all employee relations matters, providing sound, pragmatic guidance to managers and ensuring consistent, fair, and legally compliant outcomes
    • Maintain deep knowledge of UK employment law, with curiosity and appetite to build capability across other jurisdictions including the US, Australia, Germany, and India
    • Review and maintain people policies in collaboration with the broader People team and business leaders
  • Learning & Development
    • Design/Source and deliver a learning and development programme that is fit for purpose, measurable, and reflects the needs of a fast‑growing business
    • Build and facilitate development sessions for employees at all levels across the organisation
    • Champion a culture of continuous learning and high performance
  • Cross‑functional Collaboration
    • Partner closely with People Ops, Talent Acquisition, Compensation & Benefits, and Employee Experience to ensure seamless delivery and a consistent people experience
    • Help connect the dots across the People team, ensuring we operate cohesively and in the best interests of the business

    Job Benefits

    This is your opportunity to join the world’s largest student verification network and help shape the future of how brands connect with the next generation. We engage a community of 23M+ verified students and graduates across 115 markets, making us a truly global platform. Our brand is a powerhouse in the UK, and we’re rapidly accelerating our presence worldwide—especially in the US, Germany, India, France, Canada, and Australia. We partner with 850+ of the world’s biggest brands, bringing their products and services to the hearts and minds of tomorrow’s professionals—driving engagement, building affinity, and delivering real results.

    We offer a fast‑paced, fun, and social working environment where you can truly make an impact. We believe work should enhance and complement your life, which is why we provide a flexible hybrid working model. While there are expectations to attend the London campus periodically, you and your manager will determine the most appropriate balance together, ensuring both your needs and the needs of the business are met.

    We work hard at UNiDAYS, and we believe in fair compensation for that hard work. That’s why we’re proud to offer all employees full access to our comprehensive benefits package. Our Perks Include:

    • 25 days holiday per year increasing with length of service, plus flexible bank holidays
    • Competitive salaries
    • 4 pm finishes every Friday
    • Company bonus scheme
    • Company pension scheme
    • Private health insurance (BUPA)
    • Dental Insurance (BUPA)
    • Income protection policy
    • Life assurance policy
    • Employee Assistance Program
    • Enhanced parental leave pay
    • Regular team building activities
    • £150 pounds towards your home office set up
    • The latest tech and hardware will be supplied from day one

    We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status.

    People Director employer: UNiDAYS

    At UNiDAYS, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture. As the People Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our dynamic team, with ample opportunities for personal and professional growth in a fast-paced environment. Our flexible hybrid working model, comprehensive benefits package, and commitment to employee development make us an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in London.
    UNiDAYS

    Contact Detail:

    UNiDAYS Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land People Director

    ✨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 about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for those interviews! Research the company, understand their culture, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Practice common interview questions and come up with examples that showcase your skills in business partnering and employee relations.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Show your passion for learning and development! Be ready to discuss how you’ve designed or delivered training programmes in the past. Highlight your commitment to helping others grow, as this is key for a role like People Director.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at StudySmarter!

    We think you need these skills to ace People Director

    Business Partnering
    Employee Relations Expertise
    UK Employment Law Knowledge
    Coaching and Influencing Skills
    Team Leadership and Development
    Learning and Development Programme Design
    Commercial Mindset
    Effective Communication Skills
    Cross-functional Collaboration
    Problem-Solving Skills
    Relationship Building
    Organisational Design Understanding
    Continuous Learning Advocacy
    Adaptability in Fast-Paced Environments

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how your experience aligns with our mission and values. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles.

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the People Director position. Highlight relevant experiences that showcase your business partnering skills, employee relations expertise, and leadership capabilities. We love seeing how you can connect your past roles to what we do!

    Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate direct communication, so make sure your key achievements and skills stand out without unnecessary fluff.

    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 the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our culture and values!

    How to prepare for a job interview at UNiDAYS

    ✨Know Your Stuff

    Make sure you brush up on UK employment law and any relevant frameworks in other countries. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just a people person, but also a knowledgeable one who can navigate complex legal landscapes.

    ✨Show Your Coaching Skills

    Prepare examples of how you've coached and influenced leaders in the past. Think about specific challenges you helped them overcome and how you built trust. This will demonstrate your ability to develop others and your commitment to their growth.

    ✨Be a Team Player

    Highlight your experience in leading and nurturing teams. Share stories that showcase your collaborative approach and how you’ve created conditions for your team to thrive. This is key for a role that requires cross-functional collaboration.

    ✨Connect the Dots

    Think about how you can align people strategies with business goals. Be ready to discuss how you've translated commercial priorities into practical people solutions in previous roles. This will show that you understand the bigger picture and can contribute to the company's success.

    People Director
    UNiDAYS
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