Head of HR

Compass Group UK & Ireland; Chertsey; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK healthcare service provider is seeking a Head of HR for Medirest, aiming to shape the people strategy within a fast-evolving healthcare sector. The ideal candidate will possess significant senior HR experience and a CIPD qualification, driving talent management and organizational culture across the division. Responsibilities include guiding leadership in talent excellence, succession planning, and creating a supportive employee experience. Join us to make a meaningful impact in healthcare and elevate our service standards.

Benefits

Car allowance

Bonus

Competitive salary

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior HR role in a fast-paced organisation.
• Strong track record of delivering change and leading strategic HR programmes.
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver the people strategy across the Healthcare sector.
• Influence and guide senior leadership to drive excellence in talent.
• Own succession planning for critical roles and build a strong talent pipeline.

Skills

Senior HR experience

CIPD qualification

Leadership skills

Data-driven decision making

Stakeholder management

Education

CIPD qualified

Job description

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Job Introduction

Head of HR - Medirest (Healthcare Division)

Competitive salary + car allowance, bonus & benefits

A sector with purpose, growth and incredible impact

Are you a people-centred, forward-thinking HR leader who thrives on shaping culture, driving transformation, and building high-performing teams?
Do you want your work to make a genuine difference every single day?

Join Medirest, part of Compass Group and help us elevate the experience of thousands of colleagues delivering essential services to the NHS, senior living and Private healthcare.

Healthcare is a sector on the rise, full of opportunity, innovation, and purpose and we're looking for a Head of HR who is energised by challenge, inspired by growth, and motivated by helping people thrive.

Why this is an exciting opportunity

Healthcare is evolving fast. With expanding services, increasing demand, and a focus on patient experience, there has never been a more exciting time to help shape the people strategy of one of the UK's most vital and rapidly growing sectors.

At Medirest, we care deeply about our people. They're the heartbeat of our service, and in this role you'll create the environment where every colleague feels supported, empowered, and set up for success.

This isn't just another HR leadership role-it's your chance to build the future of healthcare talent.

Your impact as Head of HR

In this pivotal, strategic role, you will:

Lead with Vision

• Shape and deliver the people strategy across the Healthcare sector.
• Influence and guide senior leadership to drive excellence in talent, culture, performance, reward, and organisation design.
• Support business growth through insight-led people planning.

Develop Future Leaders

• Own succession planning for critical roles and build a strong talent pipeline.
• Champion emerging talent initiatives that attract and nurture apprentices, graduates, and rising stars.
• Work closely with resourcing partners to secure exceptional talent and ensure a seamless hiring experience.

Empower and Inspire

• Coach and support leaders to elevate capability and drive high performance.
• Lead a passionate HR team, inspiring them to deliver an outstanding people plan across the sector.
• Identify and shape training and development needs across the business.

Create an Outstanding Employee Experience

• Use People MI to build targeted, effective people initiatives.
• Drive engagement through action on 'Your Say' results and ensure teams feel included, energised, and valued.
• Support the creation of agile, multi-skilled employee propositions that help our teams work flexibly and thrive.

Champion Purpose & Values

• Partner with our Compass One social value teams to nurture our culture and embed our commitment to social responsibility.
• Ensure a safe, inclusive environment where every voice is heard and every colleague can bring their whole self to work.

What you'll bring

Essential

• Proven experience in a senior HR role in a fast-paced organisation.
• CIPD qualified (or equivalent experience).
• A strong track record of delivering change and leading strategic HR programmes.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.
• A passion for data-led decision making and a sharp eye for trends.
• Highly organised, adaptable and able to manage multiple priorities with clarity and confidence.

Desirable

• Previous experience within the healthcare sector.

Leadership Behaviours We Value

• Can Do - resilient, decisive, and driven to deliver.
• Share Success - supportive, developmental, and committed to helping others grow.
• Passion for Quality - focused on excellence and continuous improvement.
• Win Through Teamwork - collaborative, energetic, and generous with knowledge.
• Embrace Diversity - inclusive, ethical, and open to new ideas.

Join us in shaping the future of healthcare

This is a career-defining opportunity to lead across a sector that's transforming-and to play a vital role in creating environments where both colleagues and patients feel the power of truly exceptional support.

If you're a values-driven HR leader ready to make an impact that matters, we'd love to hear from you.