Head of HR & Talent

Oakleaf Partnership; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 71,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm is seeking an HR Generalist - People and Talent Manager to shape their talent strategy and support organisational growth. This strategic role involves partnering with senior leaders to deliver people initiatives that foster leadership and workforce capabilities. The ideal candidate possesses extensive HR Business Partnering experience, a CIPD Level 7 qualification, and strong leadership skills. This position offers a competitive salary of up to £84,000 plus a hybrid work arrangement, requiring 3 days on site in central London.

Qualifications

• Proven success in talent strategy, succession planning, and workforce design.
• Experience developing and coaching HR professionals.
• Ability to influence at senior level and translate data insights into strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of a people plan aligned with organisational goals.
• Oversee performance management frameworks and ensure compliance with employment laws.
• Partner with business leaders to create talent pipelines and development initiatives.

Skills

HR Business Partnering experience

Talent strategy

Succession planning

Leadership skills

Stakeholder management

Excellent communication abilities

Data-driven mindset

Education

CIPD Level 7 or equivalent

Job description

HR Generalist - People and Talent Manager

• up to £84,000 + 5-10% bonus
• Permanent
• Hybrid - 3 days on site, central London
• ASAP start

Are you passionate about shaping the future of talent strategy and people capability? This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced People Partnering & Talent Manager to take a leading role in driving organisational effectiveness, workforce planning, and cultural transformation within a purpose‑led organisation.

In this strategic position, you'll partner with senior leaders to design and deliver a people strategy that empowers growth, builds leadership capability, and ensures the organisation is equipped for the future.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic People Leadership

Lead the design and delivery of a forward‑looking people plan aligned with organisational goals. Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, influencing workforce, succession, and organisational design decisions. Champion a culture of continuous improvement, engagement, and inclusion. Deputise for the Head of People when required, playing a key role in shaping people and culture strategy.

Talent Strategy & Workforce Planning

Lead the full talent lifecycle – from attraction and selection to onboarding and retention. Build and implement an employer brand that supports diverse and inclusive hiring. Drive strategic workforce planning, identifying future capability needs and succession gaps. Partner with business leaders to create talent pipelines and leadership development initiatives.

Organisational Capability & Development

Work closely with Organisational Development specialists to align capability and learning initiatives to strategic priorities. Use people analytics to drive insight‑led decisions and measure impact across talent initiatives. Lead on succession planning, identifying and developing high‑potential talent across the organisation.

Reward, Performance & Governance

Oversee performance management frameworks and job evaluation processes. Ensure reward structures and benchmarking remain competitive and fair. Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of employment law and HR governance, ensuring compliance and best practice.

About You

You’ll be a forward‑thinking people leader with the credibility and confidence to influence at senior level. You’ll thrive in a role that blends strategic partnering with hands‑on delivery.

What we’re looking for

• Extensive HR Business Partnering experience, ideally within a complex or regulated environment.
• Proven success in talent strategy, succession planning, and workforce design.
• Strong leadership skills with experience developing and coaching HR professionals.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication abilities.
• CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent) qualification.
• Data‑driven mindset with the ability to translate insights into actionable strategy.