Head of People (Support Services and Projects)

As Head of People, you will lead the people agenda across a complex, national organisation, supporting significant change, growth, and transformation. You will act as a trusted strategic partner to Executive colleagues, providing expert advice, challenge, and coaching across the full people lifecycle.

You will own the organisational approach to job design, organisational design, and change management, ensuring clarity, fairness, and accountability across Support Services. You will also lead people risk management, employee relations at the most complex level, and the development of leadership capability to support long‑term organisational success.

In this varied and high-profile role, you will:

 

Strategic leadership

• Lead the development and delivery of the people strategy for Support Services and group subsidiaries, aligned to organisational goals and values.
• Act as a strategic business partner to the CFO, CPO, CQRO, CIO, Executive Team and Senior Leadership Team.
• Prepare and present reports on people strategy, risk, and performance to the Board and relevant committees.

People & organisational design

• Own and lead the organisational approach to job design, including job design interviews, role profiling, evaluation, and benchmarking.
• Design and review operating models and organisational structures to improve performance, clarity, and service delivery.
• Lead performance management and talent management strategies across Support Services.

Change, transformation & growth

• Design and deliver complex organisational change initiatives, including restructures, TUPE, mergers and acquisitions, and integration activity.
• Lead people impact analysis, risk identification, and mitigation across change programmes.
• Champion effective communication, engagement, and continuous improvement through periods of change.

Leadership & capability

• Develop and deliver leadership and management capability programmes, coaching and development interventions.
• Coach and support senior leaders and managers to enhance leadership effectiveness, decision‑making, and team performance.
• Lead, motivate, and develop high‑performing people teams, setting clear expectations and driving continuous improvement.

Employee relations, risk & compliance

• Provide expert advice on complex disciplinary, grievance, and organisational disputes, including mediation where appropriate.
• Lead people risk management across regions, ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, contractual, and organisational requirements.
• Work closely with Shared Services, ER, and legal colleagues to manage risk and ensure best practice.

Finance & performance

• Monitor and report on people budgets, workforce metrics, and KPIs, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Ensure effective use of resources and delivery against agreed plans and budgets.