Head of HR

NRG Resourcing Ltd; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment firm in Newcastle upon Tyne is seeking an experienced HR leader to drive strategic HR initiatives, oversee operational management, and enhance employee engagement. The ideal candidate will have a strong HR background, excellent communication skills, and experience in a unionised environment. This role offers a 40-hour flexible working week, competitive benefits, and opportunities to shape the HR function.

Benefits

Flexible working patterns

On-site parking

25 days holiday + bank holidays

6% joint pension contribution

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior HR generalist role.
• Strong understanding of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience in managing HR in a business of similar scale (approx. 90–100 employees).
• Demonstrable experience in learning and development and training design.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted advisor to the senior leadership team.
• Lead the HR function and operational management.
• Implement employee engagement initiatives.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

HR data analysis

Interpersonal skills

Decision-making

Presentation skills

Education

Degree-level education and/or CIPD qualification

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Act as a trusted advisor to the senior leadership team, contributing to organisational strategy and long-term planning.
• Present HR insights, data, and workforce analytics to senior stakeholders to support informed decisions.
• Participate in management meetings and provide expert HR guidance on change, growth, and people development.

Operational HR Management

• Lead the HR function, overseeing recruitment, employee relations, performance management, and compliance.
• Enhance HR systems, policies, and processes to support organisational goals.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, maximising the value of the newly implemented HR system.

Employee Engagement & Culture

• Lead initiatives to improve engagement, wellbeing, and retention.
• Build strong relationships across the organisation to support a collaborative, inclusive working environment.
• Coach and guide line managers to handle HR matters confidently and consistently.

Learning & Development

• Oversee training and development programmes to ensure employees have the skills for current and future needs.
• Champion continuous professional development and succession planning.
• Lead the ongoing evolution of appraisal and performance development processes.

Performance & Resource Management

• Monitor HR KPIs and workforce metrics, recommending improvements where needed.
• Ensure effective utilisation of HR resources to support key priorities and projects.

Trade Union Engagement

• Act as the main point of contact with the recognised trade union.
• Lead formal consultation processes with professionalism and transparency.
• Support positive industrial relations and collaborative problem-solving.

About You

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree-level education and/or CIPD qualification.
• Proven experience in a senior HR generalist role.
• Experience working within a unionised environment (desirable).
• Strong understanding of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Demonstrable experience in learning and development and training design.
• Experience managing HR in a business of similar scale (approx. 90–100 employees).
• Knowledge of managing pay and reward structures.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong strategic thinker with the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Confident decision-maker with a hands‑on, pragmatic approach.
• Skilled in HR data analysis and reporting.
• Able to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Confident in facilitating workshops and delivering presentations across the organisation.

Benefits

• 40‑hour working week with flexible working patterns (office‑based).
• On‑site parking.
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
• 6% joint pension contribution.
• Access to a newly implemented HR system with opportunities to shape future development.

NRG is an equal opportunities employer committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. We oppose all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of any protected characteristic. Our aim is to create an environment that encourages diversity, builds on individual differences, and responds equitably to the needs of all. We proactively take steps to fulfil our legal obligations, remove barriers, monitor for fairness, reflect the communities we serve, and enforce a zero‑tolerance policy for breaches of our Equality and Diversity policy.