Head of HR

Oakleaf Partnership; Fareham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading HR consultancy based in the UK is looking for a Head of HR to shape the people agenda across a complex organization. This senior role includes driving people strategies, operational excellence, and supporting transformational initiatives while providing guidance to senior leaders. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in HR Business Partnering, a deep understanding of UK employment law, and a strong track record in change management. This position offers a competitive package, including a salary up to £90,000 and benefits.

Benefits

Bonus potential

Matched pension up to 18%

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior HR Business Partnering role.
• Strong expertise in organisational change, transformation and workforce redesign.
• Deep knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver people strategies aligned to business priorities.
• Serve as primary link between business and HR function.
• Lead and support complex change initiatives.

Skills

Senior HR Business Partnering

Organisational change

Employee relations

Influencing senior leaders

Policy compliance

Education

Degree in Human Resources or related discipline

CIPD qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Head of HR – Corporate, Capital Programmes & Transformation

Location: Fareham, Hampshire

Hybrid working: 3x days a week onsite

Package on offer: Up to £90,000 + bonus, benefits and matched pension up to 18%

Start May 2026

An opportunity has arisen for a senior HR leader to play a pivotal role in shaping the people agenda across a complex, high-impact organisation operating at national and international scale.

This is a highly influential position for an experienced HR Business Partnering leader who thrives at the intersection of strategy, transformation and employee engagement. The role partners closely with executive leaders, driving people and organisational strategies that enable delivery, growth and long-term sustainability.

The Opportunity

The Head of HR will champion and deliver the People and Organisation strategy across a portfolio that includes corporate functions, major capital programmes and transformation initiatives. Acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, they will provide commercially astute, pragmatic guidance while leading a team of HR Business Partners and Advisors to deliver an outstanding partnering service.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys operating at pace, navigating complexity and influencing at the highest levels – while keeping people, culture and organisational effectiveness firmly at the centre.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Partnership

• Shape and deliver people strategies aligned to business priorities and long-term objectives
• Act as a trusted coach and sounding board to executive leaders on workforce planning, organisational design and people risk
• Translate business strategy into clear, actionable people plans that drive performance and engagement

Operational HR Leadership

• Serve as the primary link between the business areas and the wider HR function
• Ensure high-quality, consistent delivery across the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment to exit
• Oversee annual people processes including performance reviews, pay and reward cycles, promotions and organisational planning

Organisational Change & Transformation

• Lead and support complex change initiatives including restructuring, operating model evolution and business transformation
• Provide expert guidance on consultation, engagement and change management best practice
• Ensure all change activity is compliant, well governed and employee-focused

Employee Relations & Engagement

• Lead on complex employee relations matters, balancing pragmatism with risk management
• Build effective, professional relationships with employee representative bodies and forums
• Advise on collective consultation, dispute resolution and employment frameworks

Growth, Integration & Global Expansion

• Support people strategy elements linked to growth, integration and entry into new markets
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on workforce planning and employment frameworks
• Help develop scalable, future-ready people processes that enable organisational maturity

Policy, Governance & Compliance

• Ensure HR policies and practices remain compliant with employment legislation and best practice
• Advise leaders on employment risk, governance and contractual considerations
• Monitor legislative change and provide clear, actionable guidance

Leadership, Capability & Team Development

• Coach and challenge leaders to build inclusive, high-performing teams
• Contribute to succession planning, talent development and capability building
• Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing team of HR professionals
• Play an active role in the wider HR leadership community, driving continuous improvement

About You

The successful candidate will be a credible and confident senior HR professional with experience operating in complex or fast-moving environments. They will bring:

• Proven experience in a senior HR Business Partnering role
• Strong expertise in organisational change, transformation and workforce redesign
• Deep knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations
• Experience working with trade unions or employee representative bodies
• A commercially astute, solutions-focused mindset
• The ability to influence and advise senior leaders on complex, sensitive issues
• Experience supporting growth, integration or operating model change
• Exposure to international or cross-border people initiatives
• Resilience, sound judgement and the confidence to operate with ambiguity

Qualifications

• Degree in Human Resources or a related discipline
• CIPD qualification or equivalent professional experience