HR Director

Sunderland-Association-Football-Club; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Sunderland AFC is seeking an experienced HR leader to shape and execute the club's human resources strategy across players, coaching and staff. You will drive recruitment, onboarding, and retention, while overseeing performance management and safeguarding compliance in line with league requirements.

Lead a multidisciplinary HR team, align HR practices with team performance, and manage employment contracts, salary structures, benefits, and wellbeing initiatives. DBS clearance will be required.

Qualifications

• Experience in senior HR roles, preferably within sports, entertainment, hospitality or high-performance organisations.
• Level 7 CIPD or minimum of 3 years experience in HR Business Partner or HR Management roles.
• Extensive experience in workforce planning, including long-term staffing strategies, talent forecasting, and resource allocation.
• Demonstrable success in developing and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, with practical experience managing frameworks such as PLEDIS or equivalent.
• Strong background in safeguarding policies and procedures, with experience working with safeguarding teams and handling sensitive safeguarding matters.
• Proven track record of recruiting, onboarding, and retaining diverse talent across multiple levels; experience with vetting and safeguarding compliance.
• Experience leading organizational change management initiatives, including cultural transformation projects and strategic HR developments.
• Well-versed in employee relations management, including handling complex discrimination, harassment, grievances, and conflict resolution.
• Knowledge of employment law, health and safety regulations, and legal frameworks relevant to high-performance and sports organizations.
• Ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary HR teams, fostering high performance, engagement, and development.
• Experience managing HR analytics, workforce metrics, and reporting to inform strategic decisions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the HR strategy to support the club’s objectives, fostering a high-performance and inclusive culture.
• Collaborate with senior management and department heads to identify staffing requirements, skill gaps, and succession planning opportunities.
• Lead the recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies for players, coaching staff, medical personnel, and administrative employees.
• Oversee the design and implementation of performance management systems, including goal setting, appraisals, and professional development plans.
• Manage employee relations, including handling disciplinary issues, grievances, and compliance with legal and contractual obligations.
• Develop and maintain HR policies, procedures, and compliance frameworks in line with employment law, league regulations, and governing bodies.
• Lead negotiations on employment contracts and manage salary structures, benefits, and reward programs.
• Promote staff wellbeing initiatives, mental health support, and diversity & inclusion programs.
• Coordinate learning and development initiatives across all organization levels.
• Ensure effective HR data management, reporting, and analytics to inform decision-making.
• Collaborate with senior management and coaching staff to align HR practices with team performance and organizational needs.
• Manage the HR team, providing leadership, guidance, and development opportunities.
• Stay informed on industry best practices and legislative changes impacting employment and sports management.
• Oversee the management and ongoing development of adherence to Premier League’s PLEDIS or EFL Code of Practice.
• You will be required to obtain an Enhanced DBS through SAFC.

Skills

Senior HR

HRBP

Workforce planning

EDI initiatives

Stakeholder mgmt

Employee relations

Change management

Employment law

Coaching staff

Education

Level 7 CIPD

Job description

About the Human Resources Team:

We are dedicated to fostering a vibrant workplace culture that attracts, develops, and retains top talent, ensuring that every member of our team feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.

Our team is passionate about creating a supportive environment, from implementing professional development programs to enhancing employee engagement initiatives.

We also prioritize diversity and inclusion, actively seeking to build a workforce that reflects our community.

The Opportunity:

• Develop and execute the HR strategy to support the club’s objectives, fostering a highperformance and inclusive culture.
• Collaborate with senior management and department heads to identify staffing requirements, skill gaps, and succession planning opportunities.
• Lead the recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies for players, coaching staff, medical personnel, and administrative employees.
• Oversee the design and implementation of performance management systems, including goal setting, appraisals, and professional development plans.
• Manage employee relations, including handling disciplinary issues, grievances, and ensuring compliance with legal and contractual obligations.
• Develop and maintain HR policies, procedures, and compliance frameworks in line with employment law, league regulations, and governing bodies.
• Lead negotiations on employment contracts and manage salary structures, benefits, and reward programs.
• Promote staff wellbeing initiatives, mental health support, and diversity & inclusion programs.
• Coordinate learning and development initiatives aimed at enhancing skills across all levels of the organization.
• Ensure effective management of HR data, reporting, and analytics to inform decisionmaking.
• Collaborate with senior management and coaching staff to align HR practices with team performance and organizational needs.
• Manage the HR team, providing leadership, guidance, and development opportunities.
• Stay informed on industry best practices and legislative changes impacting employment and sports management.
• Oversee the management and ongoing development of the club’s adherence to the Premier League’s PLEDIS framework or EFL’s Code of Practice, ensuring compliance and active participation in leaguewide EDI programs.

What We Ask For:

• Extensive experience in senior HR roles, preferably within sports, entertainment, hospitality or high-performance organisations.
• Level 7 CIPD or minimum of 3 years experience in HR Business Parter or HR Management roles.
• Extensive experience in workforce planning, including developing longterm staffing strategies, talent forecasting, and resource allocation to support organizational growth.
• Demonstrable success in developing and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives, with practical experience managing frameworks such as the Premier League’s PLEDIS or equivalent.
• Strong background in safeguarding policies and procedures, with experience working closely with safeguarding teams, managing safeguarding protocols, and handling sensitive safeguarding matters.
• Proven track record of recruiting, onboarding, and retaining diverse talent across multiple levels; experience with vetting, background checks, and safeguarding compliance.
• Experience leading organizational change management initiatives, including cultural transformation projects and strategic HR developments.
• Wellversed in employee relations management, including handling complex issues related to discrimination, harassment, grievance procedures, and conflict resolution.
• Knowledge of employment law, health and safety regulations, and legal frameworks relevant to highperformance and sports organizations.
• Ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary HR teams, fostering highperformance, engagement, and continuous professional development.
• Experience managing HR analytics, workforce metrics, and reporting to inform strategic decisions.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with senior executives, coaching staff, safeguarding teams, and external agencies.

You will be required to obtain an Enhanced DBS through SAFC.