Head of HR / People Operations

A well-established, fast-paced organisation is seeking an experienced Head of HR / People Operations to lead its people function and support the business through its next stage of operational development.

This is a senior leadership role for a commercially minded HR professional who can operate strategically while remaining hands-on when required. The successful candidate will act as a trusted business partner to senior management, champion a positive and accountable workplace culture, and ensure that people-related decisions support business performance, employee engagement, operational efficiency and legal compliance.

Role Overview

The Head of HR / People Operations will be responsible for leading the HR function and ensuring that HR practices, policies and people initiatives are aligned with the organisation’s commercial, operational and compliance requirements. The role requires a confident and pragmatic HR leader who can guide management on complex people matters, support organisational growth, strengthen internal processes and lead a multi-functional team with professionalism, discretion and sound judgement.

Key Responsibilities

The selected candidate will be responsible for:

• Leading the HR function and providing commercially sound advice to senior management, heads of departments, and team leaders.
• Overseeing the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, employment documentation, probation, performance management, contract changes, leave administration, attendance processes and offboarding.
• Ensuring accurate and timely HR data and documentation to support payroll coordination, salary changes, allowances, deductions, leave records and related employee matters.
• Supporting managers with performance improvement measures, employee development, documentation and practical guidance.
• Overseeing learning and development priorities to support compliance, leadership capability, employee growth and business needs.
• Supporting HR-related compliance and governance requirements, including audit readiness, ISO-related controls, training records, access-management coordination and employee data confidentiality.
• Overseeing people-facing business support functions, including reception, front-of-house coordination, office administration, housekeeping coordination and workplace support.
• Working closely with the facilities function to ensure effective workplace operations, contractor coordination, access control, security, health and safety coordination and office readiness.
• Coordinating HR matters across relevant company locations, ensuring consistent standards while respecting local operational and legal requirements.

Required Experience

The ideal candidate will have:

• Proven experience in a senior HR leadership role, preferably within a fast-paced, commercial or international business environment.
• Strong experience advising senior management on complex HR, employee relations and organisational matters.
• Practical knowledge of employment law, HR compliance, employee lifecycle management and workplace policies.
• Experience leading or supporting HR operations across multiple departments, teams or locations.
• Experience managing, coaching and developing HR or people-related teams.
• The ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on operational delivery.

Qualifications

The successful candidate should ideally hold:

• A Bachelor's degree or recognised qualification in Human Resources, Employment Law, Management, Business Administration, Psychology or a related field.
• Advanced HR, management, or business-related qualifications, including an MBA, postgraduate qualification, or relevant professional certification, would be considered an asset.
• Evidence of continuous professional development in employment law, leadership, organisational development, employee relations or HR compliance.

Skills and Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to align HR decisions with business priorities.
• Sound judgement and the ability to balance employee welfare, legal compliance, operational needs, cost control and reputational risk.
• Strong leadership, people management and coaching capability.
• Confidence in advising, influencing and constructively challenging senior stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High levels of discretion, confidentiality and professional integrity.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Practical problem-solving skills and a solution-oriented approach.
• Emotional intelligence, resilience, fairness and professionalism.
• The ability to operate both strategically and hands-on in a dynamic business environment.
• A commitment to positive workplace culture, employee development, performance standards and continuous improvement.

What This Role Offers

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a broad and influential HR function within a dynamic organisation. The role offers the chance to shape people strategy, strengthen internal processes, support senior leadership, and make a meaningful contribution to employee experience, compliance and business performance.