Job Title: Interim Head of People (Maternity Cover)Location: Remote within the UK with occasional travelSalary: £60,000 per annumContract type: Fixed term contract – 15 months. Starting August/September 2026, ending December 2027.Hours: Full time hours available – 37 hours per weekClosing date: Friday 25 June 2026 at 9amInterviews: Wednesday 1 July 2026 – remote.
As the Interim Head of People, you will play a pivotal role in shaping SignHealth’s culture, driving organisational effectiveness, and supporting a highly engaged and motivated workforce. Alongside the Chief People and Culture Officer you will lead the People Team, overseeing the implementation of all people projects and operational management of employee relations, recruitment and reward.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic leadership: You will support the Chief People and Culture Officer to deliver SignHealth’s 3-year plan and People strategy.
- Compliance and best practice: Drive process improvement to ensure policies and processes are accessible, compliant with best practices, and up to date with employment legislation.
- Reward and Recognition: Oversee benefits programmes to ensure they are competitive and aligned with employee needs.
- Recruitment, Talent, and Retention: Oversee end-to-end recruitment processes, ensuring diverse and inclusive hiring practices.
- Engagement and Wellbeing: Collaborate with the People team to develop action plans to increase staff engagement and wellbeing.
- Employment Relations: Develop and implement business partnering to drive a proactive HR service.
- Payroll: Oversee payroll, pensions, and employee benefits accurately and efficiently.
Essential Criteria
• Proven experience in a senior HR leadership role, ideally within the charity or healthcare sector.
• Demonstrated success in implementing People projects aligned with organisational goals.
• In-depth knowledge of UK employment law, HR best practices, and compliance requirements.
• Experience in cultural change management and leading organisational development initiatives.
• Expertise in recruitment, talent management, and succession planning.
• Strong knowledge of reward frameworks, employee engagement, and wellbeing strategies.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience managing and coaching high-performing teams.
• Proficiency in HR systems and data analytics to drive strategic insights and decision-making.
Desired Criteria
• CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent experience in employment law.
• Experience working in a deaf led or accessibility focused organisation.
• British Sign Language (BSL) skills or a willingness to learn (minimum Level 2).
• Plain English trained.
About you
• You are a strategic leader, with the ability to see the bigger picture while delivering operational excellence.
• You are passionate about people, fostering an inclusive and empowering workplace culture.
• You are an excellent communicator, confident in engaging with stakeholders at all levels.
Why Join Us?
At SignHealth, you will be part of a passionate and dedicated team, making a real difference to the lives of deaf people. We offer a supportive, inclusive work environment and opportunities for professional growth.
For more information, watch or download the job description below:
We will work alongside you during your career with SignHealth to maximise your full potential with training and development to help you become the best you!
Working with your line manager you will receive an in-depth induction to give you great insight into our charity and what we do.
You will find out the role you will play in helping SignHealth deliver its mission.
Wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do! It’s not just about our clients, it’s about you too.
Being a SignHealth employee you will also receive:
- 25 days of annual leave, pro rata for part time staff
- 2 wellbeing days per year, pro rata for part time staff
- 5 days per year of paid study leave for study linked to your role.
- Long service annual leave rewards
- Free of charge DBS certificate
- Enhanced Sick pay
- Defined contribution pension scheme, we pay 6% after passing probation
- Death in service benefit
- Eye Care Vouchers
- Expenses policy for items you buy when working away from home
- Equipment and furniture desk/chair to work from home (if needed)
- Flexible working including compressed hours (subject to meeting needs of the job role and business)
- Refer a friend £200 voucher for both the referee and referrer
Let’s get you onboard to start your SignHealth Journey
If this sounds like a position you would be interested in, we would love to hear from you.
We positively encourage applications from deaf people, disabled people, people from global majority communities and from the LGBTQIA+ community. We will support all applicants along the journey of our recruitment process.
To apply, please send a CV and supporting statement detailing why you are the best person for this role and how you meet the personal specification. Applications to: sdaniels@signhealth.org.uk
We work closely with the community and so offers of work are subject to: DBS checks, right to work checks, Satisfactory references and Medical Health clearance.
What makes us different at SignHealth?
Learn more about our organisational culture through understanding our values.