Assistant Director of People

Kennedy and Sons Structural Solutions; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 84,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused housing association in Nottingham seeks an Assistant Director of People to lead its People function. The ideal candidate will drive the People Strategy, foster an inclusive work culture, and oversee talent acquisition and compliance with employment laws. This role offers a salary between £84,000 - £95,000 and a comprehensive benefits package including healthcare, pension contributions, and opportunities for professional development. Join us in making a difference in the East Midlands.

Benefits

Healthcare cash plan

Salary-sacrifice EV scheme

Generous pension contributions (up to 10%)

Flexible annual leave options

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading people functions in large organizations.
• Strong commitment to building an inclusive workplace.
• Ability to manage budgets and compliance with employment law.

Responsibilities

• Lead the People portfolio and set the People Strategy.
• Oversee workforce planning and talent acquisition.
• Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Skills

Leadership skills

Change management

Knowledge of employment law

Organizational development

Talent strategy

Data-driven decision making

Job description

Circa £84,000- £95,000plus Benefits – Nottingham – Hours: 35 – Closing Date: 02-Feb-2026

We are looking for an inspirational, values‑driven leader to take our People function to the next level – building a high‑performing, inclusive organisation where colleagues thrive and customers feel the difference.

The Role

As Assistant Director of People, you will lead the full People portfolio, playing a pivotal role on our Senior Leadership Team. You will set and deliver our People Strategy, champion equality, diversity and inclusion and create a culture where colleagues feel valued and supported. You will oversee workforce planning, talent acquisition and retention and ensure compliance with employment law and best practice. This role also involves managing budgets, driving value from money and representing NCHA at local and national forums to influence sector‑wide initiatives.

About You

You will be an influential HR leader with substantial experience in leading people‑related functions in large and complex organisations. You combine strong leadership and change management skills with deep knowledge of employment law, organisational development and talent strategies. You are commercially astute, data‑driven and committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects our CLEAR values.

We are NCHA

We are a not‑for‑profit social purpose organisation, delivering housing, care and support services to thousands of people across the East Midlands. We employ over 1,300 colleagues and have ambitious plans to build 1,850 new homes in the next five years. We are top‑rated G1, V1, C1 by the Regulator of Social Housing for our governance, financial viability and customer services. Our head office is based in Clifton, Nottingham.

Why Join Us?

We are a Great Place to Work. We offer agile and hybrid working, with a minimum of three days per week at our modern offices in Clifton, Nottingham. Our comprehensive benefits package includes a healthcare cash plan, salary‑sacrifice EV scheme, generous pension contributions (up to 10% employer contribution) and flexible annual leave options. You’ll also have access to professional development opportunities and the chance to make a real impact in a values‑led organisation.

How To Apply

Please submit your CV and answer the application questions as fully as you can. We advise that your CV is no more than 3 pages. Your CV must contain dates worked and a brief description of your key responsibilities for each role including consultancy/project work. Ready to lead a People function with purpose? Click Apply Now and help us build great services and better lives across the East Midlands.

Inclusion Matters

NCHA strives to be a welcoming and inclusive employer and therefore we particularly welcome applicants from ethnic minority communities, women, LGBTQ+ communities and candidates with disabilities, as they are currently under‑represented within our workforce, principally in our people manager roles.

The Company

We’re Nottingham Community Housing Association, known to many as NCHA. We’ve been around since 1973, and we’re really proud of that. We’re more than just a housing association: we deliver care and support to people all over the East Midlands.