Head of HR

Department for Culture, Media & Sport; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Head of HR to provide strategic leadership on all people-related matters. This pivotal role involves developing and implementing a comprehensive People strategy, enhancing employee engagement, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. You will collaborate closely with senior leaders to ensure the organization attracts and retains top talent while driving HR transformation initiatives. The position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of the Independent Football Regulator's workforce, making a significant impact in a dynamic environment. Join a team dedicated to excellence and innovation in public service.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

26.5 days annual leave

Civil Service pension with employer contribution

Access to employee benefits system

Paid volunteering leave

Generous maternity and paternity leave

Staff reward and recognition bonuses

Occupational sick pay

Employee Assistance Programme

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in workforce planning and leading HR transformation.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills and ability to influence.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and implement an IFR People strategy aligned with objectives.
• Develop metrics and KPIs to measure success of the People Strategy.

Skills

Workforce Planning

Organisational Development

HR Transformation

Stakeholder Management

UK Employment Law

Employee Relations

Coaching Senior Leaders

Managing Multiple Priorities

Education

Chartered Membership of the CIPD/Level 7

Job description

Head of HR

Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 13th May 2025

Location: Manchester

Salary: £59,003 - £71,686 + benefits (including a Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%)

Contract type: 2-year fixed term contract

We lead the Government's work on the future governance of football. At present, the Shadow Football Regulator comprises over 30 members of staff, led by an interim Chief Operating Officer, undertaking a range of activities in preparation for passage of the Football Governance Bill, which is currently in Parliament.

The Shadow Football Regulator is a dedicated team within DCMS which is responsible for setting up the Independent Football Regulator. It is ensuring the Regulator has the right skills, governance and corporate functions so it can start work as soon as possible after the Bill receives Royal Assent.

This post, and its recruitment, is dependent on progress of the Bill, and the intention is for this role to transfer to the Regulator once it's legally established.

Please note that the Independent Football Regulator will be based in Greater Manchester, but an exact location has yet to be determined.

Job Description

As the Head of HR, you will work closely with senior leaders, providing strategic leadership on all people-related matters, ensuring the organisation attracts, develops, and retains top talent while fostering a high-performance, inclusive, and values-driven culture. Responsibilities include:

• Responsible for coordinating, developing and implementing an IFR People strategy, ensuring alignment across all functions and the IFR's organisational objectives.
• Develop metrics and KPIs to measure the success of the People Strategy and actively measure progress against our plans.
• Partner with senior leaders to understand organisational goals and develop people strategies that improve organisational effectiveness and employee engagement, while supporting the organisation to achieve its strategic priorities. Acting as a trusted advisor providing expert guidance on complex HR issues.
• Oversee workforce planning to ensure the IFR has the right skills, capacity and agility to meet future demands.
• Lead talent management, leadership development, and succession planning initiatives, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.
• Drive initiatives to enhance employee engagement and improve staff wellbeing. Fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.
• Lead on complex casework, including employee relations and performance management.
• Lead and manage a team of 5, ensuring they have clear roles, responsibilities and objectives as well as building strong resilience and succession plans. This includes line managing the IFR's Head of Estates and Security.

Person Specification

To be successful in this role, you must demonstrate the ability to think strategically and creatively. You will need to draw on your expertise and experience as a HR professional, leveraging relationships with colleagues internally and the wider Civil Service stakeholders including Government People Group and other Government departments. The role will naturally evolve over time as the function matures and you identify and pursue opportunities to enhance the service and support required by the team.

The ideal candidate would have the following key skills and experience:

Essential Requirements:

• Changing and Improving: Proven experience in workforce planning, organisational development, and leading HR transformation programmes. A strong understanding of HR Policy and Employee Relations.
• Communicating and Influencing: Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and engage at all levels. Experience of coaching senior leaders through strategic challenges.
• Delivering at Pace: Strong ability to manage multiple priorities, ensuring timely and effective HR interventions.
• Managing a Quality Service: Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices. Experience of delivering strategy in a large scale, complex organisation.

Desirable Skills:

• Advising a Chief Executive and/or a Board.
• Experience of supporting an organisation through a phase of significant change.
• Knowledge of staff transfers and TUPE legislation.
• JEGS and JESP practitioner.

Academic Qualifications:

• Chartered membership of the CIPD/Level 7, or equivalent qualification

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £59,003, Department for Culture, Media and Sport contributes £17,093 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

DCMS values its staff and offers a wide range of benefits to everyone who works here. We're committed to developing talent and supporting colleagues to have great careers in our department. To support with that, some of the benefits we offer include:

• Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working - DCMS staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home
• 26.5 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years' service
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice
• 3 days of paid volunteering leave
• Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave
• Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year
• Occupational sick pay
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice
• Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality Networks
• Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day-to-day work
• Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!

How To Apply

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