At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic people initiatives and drive performance across Virgin Atlantic.
- Company: Join the dynamic team at Virgin Atlantic, where our people make the difference.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and a culture that values diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Be part of a company that celebrates individuality and supports your career growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of work and empower thousands of colleagues in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: Senior HR leadership experience and strong commercial judgement required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Hours: 37.5 per week, Monday to Friday
Location: Hybrid working 3 days a week in Virgin Atlantic HQ, Fleming Way, Crawley, West Sussex
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: 10th June 2026
At Virgin Atlantic, our people have always been the difference. Whether it’s the crew welcoming customers onboard, the engineers keeping our operation moving, or the leaders shaping what comes next - our success is powered by brilliant people delivering brilliantly together.
As we continue transforming our business for the future, we’re looking for an exceptional People Director to join our People Leadership Team as VP People. This is one of the most significant People leadership roles in our business - operating at the heart of strategic decision-making while shaping the experience of thousands of colleagues across a complex, operational and highly visible environment.
In a nutshell
Reporting to the Chief People Officer, the VP People is responsible for delivering Virgin Atlantic’s People Strategy through a high-impact People Partnering model, while leading our approach to Employee Relations, Industrial Relations and employee voice. You’ll work across every part of the business - partnering senior leaders to drive performance, leadership capability, organisational effectiveness and operational delivery, while ensuring we continue to build a culture where our people can thrive. You’ll also play a key role in shaping the future capability of the People function itself, acting as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and a senior deputy to the CPO. This role combines strategic thinking with operational leadership at scale. One day you could be shaping workforce priorities for the future, the next leading through complex operational, organisational or industrial challenges.
Day to Day
- Lead a commercially focused People Partnering model embedded across the business, ensuring leaders are equipped to deliver performance, engagement and change
- Lead strategic workforce planning and future workforce capability, helping the business evolve for the future of work, including opportunities created through technology and AI
- Oversee Employee Relations and Industrial Relations across Virgin Atlantic, ensuring effective governance, constructive union relationships and balanced people decisions
- Lead employee voice and engagement approaches, including forums and representative groups
- Partner with LT and senior leaders to align people priorities with operational and commercial goals
- Drive leadership capability, succession planning and talent outcomes across the organisation
- Develop and inspire high-performing People teams, building future capability across the function
- Act as a senior deputy to the CPO, contributing to enterprise-wide leadership and organisational decision-making
- Continue evolving the People function to ensure it remains modern, commercially impactful and fit for the future
About you
We’re looking for a senior People leader who combines commercial thinking, operational credibility and strong people instincts. You’ll bring:
- Significant senior HR leadership experience in complex, operational and fast-paced environments
- Experience leading large-scale People Partnering teams and translating strategy into business delivery
- Strong commercial judgement and the ability to balance people outcomes with operational performance
- Proven experience influencing executive and senior stakeholders in complex organisations
- Strong leadership capability, with experience developing high-performing teams and future leaders
- Deep expertise across Employee Relations and some Industrial Relations experience including union engagement and ideally collective bargaining
- Experience leading organisational change, transformation and workforce planning activity
- The credibility, resilience and judgement to operate effectively in high-profile and fast-moving environments
- Experience in aviation, hospitality, travel, retail or similarly customer-focused industries
- Chartered FCIPD (or equivalent experience), with the capability to operate at enterprise leadership level
Be yourself. Our differences make us stronger. Our customers come from all walks of life and so do our people. At Virgin Atlantic, we believe everyone can take on the world, no matter their background, identity or life experience. We’re proud to create an environment where people feel they belong, can thrive, and can be themselves at work.
If you need any support or adjustments during the recruitment process, we’ll work with you to make your journey with us accessible and inclusive. To make your journey with us accessible and individual to you, we encourage you to let us know if you’d like a little extra help with your application, or if you have any individual requirements at any stage along your recruitment journey. We are here to support you, so please reach out to our team, recruitment@fly.virgin.com.
Vice President – People in Crawley employer: Virgin holidays
At Virgin Atlantic, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions diversity and inclusion. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while our commitment to employee growth ensures that you will thrive in your career, supported by a high-impact People Leadership Team. Join us at our Crawley HQ, where you can make a meaningful impact in shaping the future of our people strategy within a dynamic and customer-focused environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Vice President – People in Crawley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Virgin Atlantic on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Virgin Atlantic's culture and values. Think about how your experience aligns with their People Strategy and be ready to share specific examples of your leadership style and achievements.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You want to convey your passion for people management and how you can drive performance and engagement. Keep it concise but impactful – remember, first impressions count!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Virgin Atlantic family.
We think you need these skills to ace Vice President – People in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the VP People role. Highlight your relevant experience in HR leadership and how it aligns with Virgin Atlantic's People Strategy. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:This role is all about leading high-performing teams and driving organisational change. Use your application to demonstrate your leadership capabilities and any successful initiatives you've led in the past. We love seeing examples of how you've made a difference!
Be Authentic:At Virgin Atlantic, we value diversity and authenticity. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. Share your story and what makes you passionate about people leadership. We’re looking for someone who can truly connect with our culture!
Apply Early:Remember, we review applications on a first-come, first-served basis. So, don’t wait until the last minute! Get your application in early through our website to ensure you don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to join our People Leadership Team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin holidays
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Virgin Atlantic's values, mission, and recent news. Understanding their culture and how they operate will help you align your answers with what they’re looking for in a VP People.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
As a VP People, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led workforce planning or organisational change in the past, and be ready to discuss how you would apply that experience at Virgin Atlantic.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in complex situations. Think of scenarios where you've had to balance people outcomes with operational performance, especially in fast-paced environments like aviation or hospitality.
✨Highlight Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your approach to developing high-performing teams and future leaders. Share specific examples of how you've inspired and motivated your teams, as this role requires strong leadership capability to drive engagement and performance.
