Head of Human Resources

Folk Recruitment Limited; Baildon; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Folk Recruitment Limited is seeking a senior HR leader to shape and scale a nationwide People Operations function. You will lead across multiple sites, drive complex employee relations, and own payroll governance while supporting growth through acquisitions.

Regular travel with a base in West Yorkshire will be required to align operations, coach managers, and implement a new HR system that enables automation and continuous improvement across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Senior HR leadership in a multi-site environment.
• Strong employee relations and employment law expertise.
• Experience leading operational HR teams and coaching managers.
• Proven track record in driving change and transformation projects.
• Strong commercial judgement and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience managing complex organisational change.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the HR function across multiple sites to ensure consistency and excellence.
• Oversee employee relations, governance, payroll processes, and admin.
• Implement a new People System and drive automation and continuous improvement.
• Lead acquisition integration workstreams and cultural alignment.
• Develop and coach the People Operations team to high performance.

Skills

HR leadership

Employee relations

Operational HR teams

Change management

Commercial judgement

Stakeholder management

Organisational change

Analytical skills

Education

CIPD Level 7

Tools

HR systems

Job description

Head of People

Are you a commercially-minded, operationally excellent leader looking to make a significant impact? This role offers the chance to shape the future of a growing business and build a scalable People Operations function that supports a national, high-growth organisation while maintaining a family feel.

Please note that this role requires national travel (with regular office base in West Yorkshire), potentially at short notice, to support acquisition integrations.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• - Employee Relations & Employment Law: Lead complex employee relations activities, ensuring fair and consistent case management in line with employment legislation.
• - Manager Capability Development: Coach and develop Area Managers, Managers, and Central Support leaders, reducing dependency on the People Team.
• - People Operations Excellence: Oversee operational processes, people administration, and payroll activities, driving process simplification and automation.
• - Compliance, Governance & Risk: Maintain and review people policies, ensure compliance with employment legislation, and manage employment contract governance.
• - Systems, Technology & Transformation: Implement and optimise a new People System, drive digitalisation and automation, and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
• - Acquisition Integration & Organisational Growth: Lead the people workstream of acquisitions, manage consultation and integration activities, and support cultural integration.
• - Leadership of the People Operations Team: Develop a high-performing team, create clarity and accountability, and build a culture of continuous improvement.

Skills and Experience:

Essential:

• - Significant HR leadership experience in a multi-site environment.
• - Strong employee relations and employment law expertise.
• - Experience leading operational HR teams and coaching managers.
• - Proven track record in driving change and transformation projects.
• - Strong commercial judgement and stakeholder management skills.
• - Experience managing complex organisational change.
• - Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Highly Desirable:

• - Experience in retail, healthcare, hospitality, or other geographically dispersed businesses.
• - Acquisition and integration experience.
• - HR systems implementation experience.
• - Experience introducing automation and process efficiencies.
• - CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent experience).

Why apply?!

This role offers the chance to build a modern, scalable People Operations function, develop a team, influence leaders across the organisation, and play a key role in acquisitions and growth. The organisation is investing in its People function with the implementation of a new system and ways of working, and you will genuinely be able to create lasting organisational impact.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.