Chief People Officer

Western Computer; London; Hybrid; GBP 200,000 +; Full time

Job summary

A global charity organization in London seeks a Chief People Officer to shape talent and people strategy within a mission-driven environment. Key responsibilities include leading HR initiatives, enhancing employee engagement, and fostering an inclusive culture. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in HR leadership within international, mission-focused organisations. This senior role offers competitive remuneration and flexible working options.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Collaborative culture

Growth and impact opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a senior HR leader in an international mission-driven organisation.
• Deep understanding of talent acquisition, employee development, and organisational design.
• Strong track record in fostering a positive, inclusive culture.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Executive Team to develop people strategies aligned with the Foundation's mission.
• Lead talent acquisition strategies to attract top talent across functions and regions.
• Oversee learning and development offerings for all employees.

Skills

Visionary Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Cultural Competence

Results-Driven

Change Agent

Global Experience

Job description

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About the Job

UK based (Hybrid / Flexible)

About the Ellen MacArthur Foundation

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is a global charity committed to accelerating the transition to a circular economy. By working with businesses, government, and academia, we aim to build a positive and restorative economic system, one that can drive meaningful change. We are a passionate and diverse team, united by our vision to rethink, redesign, and regenerate the world’s economy.

After 15 years of setting the ambition across the globe resulting in 75 countries with strategic circular economy roadmaps and 55% of businesses with a circular economy strategy, we are now entering a new phase around implementation and scale up of the circular economy in action in the Global South as well as the Global North.

As our Chief People Officer (CPO), you will play a pivotal role in shaping our global culture and empowering our teams to realise their full potential while driving systemic change in the transition to a circular economy.

Role Overview

Reporting directly into the CEO, our Chief People Officer will be a strategic leader responsible for shaping the overall talent and people strategy, leading people operations, and ensuring that our diverse, global teams are aligned with the Foundation’s mission and values. The CPO will oversee the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, development, performance management, organisational design, and employee engagement. Additionally, you will be responsible for defining and executing our culture strategy, building on the strong values already lived within the organisation. In this role, you will be part of the Executive Leadership Team, working closely with your peers to create a positive, inclusive, and performance-driven culture that attracts, retains, and develops exceptional and creative talent.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy:

• Partner with the other Executive Team members to develop and execute people strategies that align with the Foundation's mission, vision, and business goals.
• Lead the development of organisational culture strategies to create an inclusive, innovative, and high-performance work environment.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the leadership team on all people-related matters.

Talent Acquisition and Retention:

• Lead talent acquisition strategies to attract top talent across all functions and regions.
• Design and implement comprehensive talent management programmes to ensure we are attracting, developing, and retaining diverse and high-performing employees.
• Strengthen the Foundation’s employer brand, ensuring it reflects our values, purpose, and commitment to a circular economy.

Learning and Development:

• Develop and oversee our learning and development offering, including leadership development, skills training, and employee career growth initiatives.
• Drive a culture of continuous learning and professional development to ensure employees are equipped with the skills and knowledge to thrive in an ever-evolving organisation.

Employee Engagement and Wellbeing:

• Lead employee engagement initiatives to ensure a motivated, satisfied, and loyal workforce.
• Implement programmes and policies that support employee wellbeing, work-life balance, and mental health, with a focus on creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
• Promote an open feedback culture, ensuring that employee voices are heard and acted upon to continuously improve organisational culture.

Organisational Design and Performance Management:

• Oversee organisational design and ensure that the structure and processes are aligned with the Foundation’s goals.
• Ensure that performance management processes are fair, consistent, and focused on driving individual and organisational success, including the development and implementation of goals, feedback, and career progression frameworks.

Change Management

• Responsible for continuous change management: internal stakeholder engagement; embedding strategy through learning, training and communications.

People Operations:

• Oversee all aspects of people operations, including compensation, benefits, HRIS, compliance, and employee relations, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and legal requirements.

Ideal Experience

• Proven experience as a senior HR leader (e.g., Chief People Officer, HR Director, VP of People), in an international, mission-driven organisation.
• Deep understanding of talent acquisition, employee development, performance management, and organisational design.
• Strong track record in fostering a positive, inclusive culture.
• Trained in change management with the ability to drive transformation in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and build strong relationships with leadership teams, employees, and external partners.
• Strong knowledge of global HR best practices, and employment regulations, preferably gained from combining UK with overseas experience.

What you will bring

• Visionary Leadership: Ability to inspire and lead a global team with a passion for sustainability and a commitment to the Foundation’s mission.
• Strategic Thinking: Expertise in aligning people strategies with broader organisational objectives.
• Cultural Competence: Experience of working with diverse, international teams and understanding of the nuances of various cultural contexts.
• Results-Driven: Proven track record of designing and implementing people programmes that drive measurable impact on both organisational culture and performance.
• Change Agent: Ability to lead and influence change across an organisation, particularly in the context of rapid growth or transformation.
• Global Experience: Experience of working and living in multi-cultural settings would be beneficial.

Why Join the Ellen MacArthur Foundation?

• Mission-Driven Work: Be part of an organisation working on some of the most pressing challenges of our time: circular economy and systemic change.
• Collaborative Culture: Work in a dynamic, diverse, and collaborative environment where every team member is valued and empowered to contribute.
• Growth and Impact: Play a key role in shaping an organisation that is influencing global systems and driving positive environmental change
• Work-Life Balance: We believe in creating a healthy, balanced work environment. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation offers flexible working options to support the well-being of our employees.

Apply by clicking the green icon where you will be asked to upload a CV and covering letter.

Closing date: 15th August 2025

Salary package: The is a senior position in the Foundation and the role will be part of our Executive Leadership Team. The remuneration and benefits package will be highly competitive within our sector.

Our commitment to you

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and providing a working environment free from discrimination. Job applicants will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

Location: United Kingdom (Hybrid)