Hybrid | UK (Liverpool / Leeds) | Full-time
At Velstar, we believe great businesses are built by great people. We’re looking for a Head of People to shape and lead our people strategy, ensuring our culture, talent, leadership and ways of working support the next stage of our growth.
Reporting directly to the CEO and sitting on the Senior Leadership Team, this is a strategic leadership role for someone who can balance commercial objectives with creating an environment where people can thrive, develop and perform at their best.
The role
As Head of People, you’ll own the people agenda end-to-end, from workforce planning and organisational design through to employee engagement, leadership development and HR operations.
You’ll act as a trusted advisor to leaders across the business, helping them make informed decisions on people, performance and organisational growth. This role combines strategic thinking with hands-on leadership and requires someone who is equally comfortable influencing at board level and supporting managers through day-to-day people challenges.
What you’ll be doing
People Strategy & Leadership
Developing and delivering a people strategy aligned to Velstar’s commercial goals
Leading workforce planning and organisational design across the business
Contributing to strategic decision-making as part of the Senior Leadership Team
Preparing board-level reporting on key people metrics, risks and opportunities
Supporting budget planning and investment decisions across people initiatives
HR Operations & Employment Law
Acting as the senior advisor on employee relations, performance, absence, grievance and disciplinary matters
Ensuring employment contracts, policies and documentation remain compliant and fit for purpose
Supporting organisational change, including restructures, acquisitions and TUPE processes
Owning and developing the HRIS to improve reporting and decision-making
Recruitment & Employer Brand
Leading recruitment activity across the business
Managing the candidate experience from first contact through to offer
Building and maintaining a proactive talent pipeline
Strengthening Velstar’s employer brand in partnership with Marketing
Managing relationships with recruiters, ATS platforms and careers channels
Learning, Development & Performance
Owning and evolving the performance review process
Building career pathways, progression frameworks and development plans
Designing and delivering leadership and manager development programmes
Coaching managers to support performance, growth and capability development
Identifying and nurturing future leaders across the business
Employee Experience & Internal Communications
Driving a culture of engagement, belonging and high performance
Leading employee feedback and engagement initiatives
Ensuring a consistent employee experience across all locations and working patterns
Owning internal communications strategy, channels and company-wide updates
Supporting leadership communications and organisational change messaging
AI & The Future of Work
Championing the adoption of AI tools and ways of working across the business
Helping leaders understand how AI is shaping roles, skills and workforce planning
Identifying opportunities to improve people processes through technology and automation
Building confidence and capability around AI adoption across teams
People Leadership
Line managing and developing the People & Workplace Manager
Setting clear expectations, objectives and development plans
Acting as a role model for Velstar’s values and leadership behaviours
What we’re looking for
You’re a commercially minded people leader who combines strategic thinking with strong operational execution. You’re comfortable influencing senior stakeholders, managing complexity and building trust at every level of the organisation.
You’ll likely have:
CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent experience
5+ years’ experience in a senior generalist HR or People role
Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
Experience contributing to business strategy and leadership decision-making
A track record of leading recruitment, employer branding and talent initiatives
Experience managing complex employee relations matters
Strong analytical skills and confidence using people data to inform decisions
Experience supporting organisational change and transformation
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Experience using AI tools and helping organisations adapt to new ways of working
Nice to have:
Experience within a digital, technology or agency environment
Exposure to mergers, acquisitions or integration projects
Previous line management experience within a People function
Why Velstar?
Hybrid working (minimum 3 days per week in our Liverpool or Leeds office)
A seat on the Senior Leadership Team with genuine influence on business direction
The opportunity to shape the future of people, culture and leadership within a growing agency
A collaborative and ambitious environment where people matter
The chance to build a modern, forward-thinking people function that supports both commercial success and employee growth
