Head of People & Culture

Head of People & Culture
Oxford
Up to £85,000 + Benefits 4 Days On Site | 1 Day Home Working

A Rare Opportunity to Shape a Strategic People Function. We're seeking a commercially minded, influential People leader to join a major UK business as the first dedicated Head of People & Culture for a significant regional division of the group. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you'll play a pivotal role in transforming the people agenda, leading through change and becoming a trusted advisor at the highest level of the business.

Part of a wider Group employing over 33,000 people across the UK, this Oxfordshire-based operation employs more than 1,200 colleagues across five businesses and is undergoing a significant period of transformation. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to build strategic people capability, shape organisational culture and lead complex industrial relations activity during a time of major change.

The Opportunity Whilst the title suggests broad people leadership, the real focus of this appointment is to move the business from a historically transactional HR model towards a genuine strategic business partnering function.

As a key member of the leadership team, you will:

• Act as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director and senior leadership team


• Lead the people agenda across five operating businesses within Oxfordshire


• Take ownership of union relationships, negotiations and consultation activity


• Support significant organisational transformation and change programmes


• Develop leadership capability across the business


• Coach, mentor and elevate the existing People team


• Drive a more strategic, commercially focused approach to people management

The wider Group employs approximately 33,000 people and is investing heavily in people transformation, including:

• Workday implementation


• Payroll and systems modernisation


• Development of centres of excellence and shared services


• Transformation of people support models


• Organisational redesign and change initiatives


• Greater consistency and standardisation across operating companies

This role offers significant visibility and influence both locally and across the wider Group.

What You'll Be Doing Strategic Leadership

• Partnering with senior leaders to influence business decisions


• Driving organisational effectiveness and leadership capability


• Embedding a modern, business-focused people function


• Supporting long-term workforce and talent strategies

Industrial Relations

• Leading relationships with recognised trade unions


• Managing negotiations, consultations and complex employee relations matters


• Building trust and credibility with key union stakeholders


• Supporting business change programmes impacting employees and terms & conditions

Transformation & Change

• Leading people-related transformation initiatives


• Supporting system and process implementation projects


• Driving organisational change and cultural development


• Ensuring employee engagement remains strong throughout periods of change

Key Background: We're interested in experienced Strategic HR Business Partners and People leaders who have operated in complex, multi-site environments and are comfortable balancing strategic thinking with operational reality.

Essential Experience

• Senior HR leadership experience within a multi-site operational business


• Strong industrial relations and employee relations expertise


• Significant experience working with trade unions


• Proven employment tribunal experience


• Experience influencing at executive and leadership team level


• Track record of leading organisational change and transformation


• Experience developing and leading HR teams


• Ideal industry backgrounds in Transport, Logistics, Distribution, Manufacturing, Retail, Utilities, Engineering or other heavily unionised operational environments

Key Skills: • Confident without ego

• Strategic but hands-on


• Commercially aware


• Politically astute


• Resilient and credible


• Comfortable challenging senior stakeholders


• Relationship-focused and collaborative

Most importantly, you'll know how to influence effectively, build trust and navigate complexity without creating unnecessary conflict.

Why Apply? • First-in-post opportunity with significant scope to shape the role

• Genuine seat at the leadership table


• Direct reporting line to the Managing Director


• Opportunity to lead a strategic people transformation


• High-profile role within a major UK Group


• Significant autonomy and visibility


• Ability to make a lasting impact on business performance and culture

Location & Working Pattern • Central Oxford location

• 4 days per week on site


• 1 day home working


• Regular travel across operational locations within Oxfordshire


• Highly visible leadership presence required

If you're an experienced HR leader with strong union, tribunal and team leadership expertise who thrives in operational environments and enjoys driving meaningful change, we'd love to hear from you.

Should you be interested in discussing this vacancy please contact Annabel Green via LinkedIn.

Resourcing4HR is an independent HR Recruitment and Consultancy company specialising in supporting the HR Community - both candidates and clients alike, in a partnership approach to resourcing HR professionals.

Resourcing4HR is an equal opportunities employer and a company committed to diversity.

Resourcing4HR operates as a Recruitment Agency for the provision of permanent candidates and as a Recruitment Business for the provision of temporary candidates

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