Head of HR

Water Industry Commission for Scotland; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job description

Introduction

WICS is seeking an experienced HR professional to join our team and help us build a forward-thinking, inclusive and high performing workplace. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in a small but important public body.

About WICS

WICS is the economic regulator of Scottish Water, the publicly owned provider of water and sewerage services across Scotland. Our role is to challenge Scottish Water to achieve long-term best value and maintain best-in-class service levels for its customers and communities.

Our work ensures that customers pay no more than necessary for essential water and wastewater services. We carefully monitor and report on Scottish Water’s performance and investment to ensure it is efficient and effective in delivering high-quality services now and for years to come.

We also oversee the retail market for non-household water and sewerage services ensuring that competition continues to deliver value, improved services, and better outcomes for customers.

As a small team at the forefront of economic regulation, WICS employs economists, strategists, analysts, communicators, and a range of support staff. Together, we play a vital role in shaping a sustainable water sector that benefits the people of Scotland.

Find out more about our role at www.wics.scot

About the role

As part of our Finance and Corporate Services Directorate, you’ll play a key role in embedding a strong culture, developing talent, and ensuring our HR practices align with our organisational goals. You’ll provide strategic and operational leadership across all aspects of HR, including:

• Developing and implementing a forward-thinking HR strategy that aligns with WICS’ goals and values.
• Shaping culture and engagement, driving initiatives that foster an inclusive, high-performance and values driven workplace.
• Attracting and developing talent which includes managing recruitment, onboarding, performance management frameworks and professional development.
• Championing equality, diversity and inclusion by embedding inclusive policies and practices across the organisation.
• Ensuring compliance and best practice with HR governance, policies and employment law.
• Acting as a trusted advisor to the senior leadership team in shaping WICS’ future.

About you

We are looking for a proven HR leader with strategic vision and a real people focus. You will have:

• Practical experience in HR leadership, organisational development, and driving cultural transformation.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, HR compliance, and governance (public sector or regulatory experience is desirable).
• A proactive and collaborative approach, with excellent communication and engagement skills.

Candidates should have a degree or equivalent experience in HR, along with a CIPD Level 7 qualification or an equivalent professional HR certification. You can find more information on responsibilities and expectations for the role in the full job description on www.wics.scot/publications/careers.

Benefits

We offer additional benefits including:

• Learning and development opportunities.
• Public sector pension, with 27% employer contribution.
• Generous annual leave entitlement, with an additional 3 days after 5 years’ service.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Family-friendly policies including enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
• Paid leave for volunteering.

How to apply

Please submit a one-page CV along with a one-page cover letter evidencing how your skills and experience meet the criteria for this role to [e-mail].

Applications close on 18 April 2025 at midnight. Successful candidates will be invited to a panel interview thereafter.

Eligibility to work in the UK

All applicants must be eligible to work in the UK at the time of employment. For further details regarding the eligibility criteria please access the UK Government website by following this link: https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work.

Equal opportunities policy

We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates who have a disability and who satisfy the basic criteria. Reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process will be made where necessary to ensure that no applicant is disadvantaged in the process because of their disability. Please get in touch with our team at [e-mail] if you would like to discuss this in more detail.