We are partnering with a highly regarded professional services firm to appoint a strategic and commercially minded HR Director / Chief People Officer. This is a key leadership role, responsible for shaping and delivering a people strategy that supports the firm’s continued growth, performance, and culture.
Working closely with the Partnership and Board, you will take ownership of all aspects of the HR function ensuring that the firm attracts, develops, and retains exceptional talent, whilst maintaining a pragmatic and proportionate approach to HR operations.
This role offers a unique blend of strategic influence and operational leadership, making it ideal for a senior HR professional who thrives in a collegiate, partnership-led environment.
Role Purpose
To lead and coordinate HR operations, recruitment strategy, and learning & development (including CPD frameworks) across the firm. You will provide high-quality, commercially focused HR support, whilst ensuring appropriate Partner and Board engagement on key people matters.
Key Responsibilities
HR Leadership & Operations
- Lead the day-to-day HR function, ensuring the delivery of a professional, efficient, and responsive service.
- Oversee employee relations activity, providing clear, pragmatic guidance on complex people matters.
- Drive consistency of approach across teams, supporting Partners and line managers in best practice people management.
Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning
- Develop and coordinate recruitment strategy aligned to the firm’s growth objectives.
- Manage relationships with recruitment partners and external suppliers, ensuring quality and value.
- Support workforce planning, ensuring the firm attracts and retains high-calibre talent in a competitive market.
Learning & Development
- Oversee and enhance training frameworks, ensuring robust and compliant.
- Embed a culture of continuous professional development across the firm.
- Work with Partners to identify future capability needs and leadership development priorities.
Strategy, Governance & Policy
- Ensure HR policies and processes are up to date, proportionate, and aligned with regulatory requirements and best practice.
- Contribute to Board-level discussions, providing insight and guidance on people strategy and organisational effectiveness.
- Promote a positive, inclusive, and high-performance culture across the firm.
Person Specification
- Proven senior HR leadership experience, ideally within a professional services or partnership environment.
- Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and its practical application.
- Demonstrable experience in recruitment coordination, talent strategy, and L&D.
- A pragmatic, solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to balance commercial and people priorities.
- Highly collaborative, with the credibility and gravitas to influence senior stakeholders and Partners.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to operate both strategically and operationally.
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