Head of People and Culture

Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority; Hull Bridge; On-site; GBP 73,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA) is seeking an exceptional Head of People & Culture to lead the people agenda, shape organisational culture and drive transformation across the region.

As HEYCA's most senior people professional, you will provide strategic leadership, develop a progressive People & Culture strategy, and modernise services and systems to deliver efficiency, accountability and an inclusive, high-performing organisation.

Qualifications

• Senior HR leadership experience demonstrated at executive level.
• Experience delivering organisational change and transformation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of HEYCA's People & Culture strategy.
• Drive transformation, including structural change and service redesign.
• Build a culture of high performance, inclusion and accountability.
• Modernise HR and payroll systems and employee services.
• Lead workforce planning, talent management and leadership development.
• Provide expert advice on employment law and employee relations.

Education

CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent) and Chartered Membership of the CIPD

Job description

Salary: 73,469 - 90,000

Contract: Permanent

Shape Our People. Build Our Culture. Lead Our Transformation.

Hull and East Yorkshire is entering an exciting period of transformation, investment and opportunity.

As a newly established Combined Authority, we have an ambitious agenda to drive economic growth, unlock investment, strengthen communities and deliver meaningful change across our region.

To achieve these ambitions, we need an organisation that is innovative, agile and high-performing, with talented people, strong leadership and a culture that enables everyone to thrive.

We are seeking an exceptional Head of People & Culture to lead our people agenda, shape our organisational culture and play a pivotal role in building a modern, forward-thinking Combined Authority.

This is more than a traditional HR leadership role. It is an opportunity to influence organisational strategy, lead transformation and establish a People & Culture function that is proactive, commercially aware and integral to our success.

If you are an ambitious people leader who thrives on building capability, challenging conventional thinking and turning strategic ambition into meaningful results, we want to hear from you.

About the Role

As HEYCA's most senior people professional, you will provide strategic leadership across the full People & Culture agenda, working closely with the Mayor, Chief Executive and Executive Team.

You will develop and deliver a progressive People & Culture strategy that supports organisational growth, strengthens leadership capability and creates the foundations for a high-performing, inclusive and values-driven organisation.

A central focus will be leading transformation, modernising our people services and introducing effective systems, processes and ways of working that improve efficiency, accountability and the employee experience.

You will lead organisational development, workforce planning, talent management, employee engagement and leadership development, ensuring our people have the skills, support and opportunities to deliver against our ambitions.

Working in a complex and evolving environment, you will provide expert advice and constructive challenge, build strong relationships with stakeholders and lead change with confidence, credibility and professionalism.

This is an opportunity to shape the organisation from within, establishing the people infrastructure, culture and capability required to deliver lasting impact for Hull and East Yorkshire.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of HEYCA's People & Culture strategy, aligned to our organisational priorities and long-term ambitions
• Drive organisational transformation, including structural change, service redesign, TUPE and the integration of new functions
• Build and embed a culture of high performance, accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and inclusion
• Modernise the People & Culture function, introducing effective digital HR and payroll systems, streamlined processes and improved employee services
• Lead strategic workforce planning, talent management, succession planning and organisational development
• Develop leadership and management capability through coaching, learning and targeted development programmes
• Shape our recruitment, employer brand, reward and employee experience strategies to attract, develop and retain exceptional talent
• Provide expert advice on complex employee relations, employment legislation, policy and organisational risk
• Build constructive relationships with recognised trade unions, leading consultation and negotiation where required
• Use workforce intelligence, performance data and benchmarking to inform strategic decisions and demonstrate measurable organisational impact
• Lead, inspire and develop the People & Culture team, building a credible, trusted and high-performing professional service
• Act as a strategic adviser to senior leaders and elected Members, translating people challenges into practical, sustainable solutions

About You

You will be an experienced and influential senior HR professional with a track record of delivering organisational change, shaping people strategies and building strong relationships at executive level.

You will bring a combination of strategic vision, professional expertise and practical delivery, with the confidence to challenge established approaches and the ability to bring people with you.

We are particularly interested in individuals who can demonstrate -

• Significant experience in a senior HR Business Partner, HR advisory or people leadership role, influencing senior executives and organisational decision-making
• A proven record of leading complex organisational change, transformation, restructures and formal consultation
• Experience developing and implementing people initiatives across organisational development, leadership, culture, learning or employee engagement
• Strong employment law expertise, including complex employee relations and Employment Tribunal processes
• Experience working constructively with trade unions and leading formal consultation
• The ability to translate strategic organisational priorities into deliverable people plans with measurable outcomes
• Experience using workforce data, insight and performance measures to inform decisions
• A track record of leading, coaching and developing HR professionals
• Strong influencing, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to advise and constructively challenge senior leaders
• A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach, with the resilience and adaptability to succeed in a developing organisation

Essential qualification: CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent) and Chartered Membership of the CIPD.

Experience in local government, a Combined Authority or a politically sensitive environment would be advantageous, although we also welcome applicants from other sectors who bring relevant transformation and senior people leadership experience.

Experience of implementing HR systems, developing reward frameworks and managing budgets would also be beneficial.

Above all, we are looking for a leader who combines professional credibility with ambition, integrity and a genuine commitment to developing people and improving organisational performance.

Why Join HEYCA?

This is a rare opportunity to join an organisation at a defining stage of its development and play a leading role in shaping its future.

As our Head of People & Culture, you will have the opportunity to build and influence the systems, structures, leadership capability and organisational culture that will support HEYCA for years to come.

You will work directly with senior decision-makers, shape the people agenda and help establish an organisation that is recognised for its performance, innovation and commitment to its people.

Strategic Influence. Organisational Transformation. People Leadership. Lasting Impact.

If you are passionate about creating high-performing organisations, developing exceptional leaders and shaping a culture where people and performance thrive together, we would love to hear from you.

Closing Date: 15th November 2026

Equal Opportunities

Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA) is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone can thrive. We value the different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives that colleagues bring to our organisation and the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and employment journey to ensure that all candidates have the opportunity to perform at their best.

At HEYCA, we believe our strength comes from reflecting the diverse communities of Hull and East Yorkshire, and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.