Group HR Director

JR United Kingdom; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading supply chain organisation is seeking a Group HR Director to join their Executive Leadership Team. This pivotal role involves shaping a progressive people strategy focusing on transformation, employee engagement, and strategic planning while managing day-to-day HR operations. The ideal candidate will possess strong commercial acumen and proven experience navigating complex employee relations while further enhancing a diverse work environment with clear values.

Benefits

Car allowance

Performance bonus

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Family private medical insurance

Death in service

Competitive pension

Qualifications

• Proven HR Director experience at Group or Board level.
• Strong understanding of workforce dynamics.
• Experience managing unionised environments.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic workforce planning and succession.
• Enhance employee experience and engagement initiatives.
• Lead cross-functional HR projects with measurable outcomes.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Strategic planning

Employee relations

Leadership development

Coaching

Job description

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Your new company
Hays is proud to be partnering with a highly accomplished, multi-site supply chain organisation that is seeking a commercially astute Group HR Director to join their Executive Leadership Team. This role's purpose is to shape a people strategy that supports long-term, sustainable success.
This is a pivotal role, reporting directly to the CEO, designed to encourage investment in the workforce of tomorrow, whilst navigating the complexities of a diverse, service-led business where margins matter.

Where you'll make a difference
This role requires a leader who can operate with one foot firmly in the day-to-day, managing budgets, operations and tactical delivery whilst keeping the other in strategic planning and shaping a progressive, people agenda. This is a rare opportunity to truly focus on transformation and futureproofing whilst influencing at the highest level. Key responsibilities will include:

• Balancing day-to-day operational HR leadership with long-term strategic planning and innovation.
• Driving strategic workforce planning, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Coaching and developing a strong senior leadership team, preparing them for future board-level progression.
• Conducting a comprehensive gap analysis of current HR processes and systems.
• Building and maintaining strong, constructive relationships with trade unions across multiple sites.
• Standardising and enhancing the employee experience across the organisation.
• Strengthening employer branding, recognition and reward and employee engagement initiatives.
• Driving a stronger CSR and ESG agenda, aligning people strategies that reflect organisational values.
• Leading and delivering cross-functional HR projects with measurable business outcomes.

What you'll bring

• Proven experience as an HR Director at Group or Board level within a product-led or service-intensive industry, ideally one that is fast-paced, operationally complex, and margin-sensitive.
• Strong commercial acumen and a deep understanding of workforce dynamics and performance impact.
• Experience managing unionised workforces and navigating complex employee relations.
• A self-starter with a track record of successfully leading and delivering strategic HR projects.
• Comfortable operating across multi-site environments, with the ability to adapt to local and organisational nuances.
• A strong yet calm and composed leader. Credible, emotionally intelligent and influential without needing to be the loudest voice in the room.
• Agile in thought and approach, with the ability to pivot quickly and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Equally confident in tactical execution and strategic foresight, with a passion for building inclusive, high-performing cultures.

What's in it for you?
Benefits include a car allowance, performance bonus, 25 days holiday + bank holidays, family private medical insurance, death in service and a competitive pension. Hybrid working is available.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of a thriving, successful organisation. You'll work alongside an established leadership team and have the autonomy to make a lasting impact on their people, culture and performance - with plenty of fun along the way!

Next steps
Hays are the retained recruitment partner for this appointment. All applications will be managed exclusively by Hays. For a confidential conversation, please contact Louisa London, Business Director or Bernice Randall, Manager. Please note:this role is subject to a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

Hays EA is a trading division of Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited and acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk