Head of People
Our client is a fast-paced, high-growth marketing agency headquartered in the UK, with growing teams internationally. As the business continues to scale internationally, they recognise that their people are central to their success and future growth. To support the next phase of expansion, our client is looking for a full-time Head of People to build and lead a progressive people function that enables growth, strengthens culture, and ensures the business attracts, develops, and retains exceptional talent. This is a key leadership role that will help shape the employee experience, provide strategic guidance to senior leaders, and create the people foundations needed for a high-performing, international organisation.
About the Role
As Head of People, you will lead the people strategy across the business, partnering closely with the leadership team to ensure the organisation can scale effectively while maintaining a strong, values-led culture. This is a broad role that combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution, covering everything from organisational design and talent acquisition to employee relations, learning and development, and people operations. You will be the senior people leader within the organisation, driving initiatives that support business performance and create an outstanding employee experience.
Responsibilities:
- Partner with the leadership team to develop and deliver the company’s people strategy.
- Lead organisational design and workforce planning to support business growth.
- Drive initiatives that strengthen culture, employee engagement, and wellbeing.
- Provide expert guidance on employee relations matters, including performance, conduct, capability, and absence management.
- Coach and support managers to build confidence and consistency in people leadership.
- Oversee recruitment and talent acquisition processes to ensure high-quality hiring outcomes.
- Develop succession planning and talent management frameworks.
- Lead onboarding and employee lifecycle processes from offer through to exit.
- Ensure HR policies, procedures, and practices remain compliant and fit for purpose.
- Maintain oversight of payroll processes and relationships with external providers.
- Monitor changes in employment legislation and ensure organisational compliance.
- Develop and enhance performance management approaches across the business.
- Identify learning and development opportunities that support employee growth and business objectives.
- Lead internal communications, recognition programmes, and engagement initiatives.
- Use people data and insights to support decision-making and continuous improvement.
- Build and develop a scalable people function that supports international growth.
About You
We’re looking for an experienced and commercially minded people leader who enjoys operating in a growing business where you can influence strategy while remaining close to the day-to-day needs of employees and managers. You’ll be someone who brings a pragmatic, proactive approach, excellent judgement, and the ability to build trusted relationships at all levels of the organisation. You’re comfortable working in a fast-moving environment and are passionate about creating great workplace experiences that drive business success.
Requirements:
- Proven experience in a Head of People, Senior HR Manager, HR Business Partner, or equivalent senior people leadership role.
- Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
- Experience developing and implementing people strategies aligned to business objectives.
- Demonstrated success in supporting and coaching managers across a range of people matters.
- Strong employee relations experience, including handling complex and sensitive cases.
- Experience leading recruitment, talent management, and succession planning initiatives.
- Strong understanding of HR operations, compliance, and payroll processes.
- Experience within a high-growth, scale-up, agency, or entrepreneurial environment is highly desirable.
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Strong communication and relationship-building abilities.
- Comfortable balancing strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
- Analytical mindset with the ability to use data to inform decisions.
- CIPD qualification or equivalent professional experience preferred.
- A proactive, adaptable, and collaborative approach with a genuine passion for people and culture.
The SR Group (UK) Limited is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.
