Human Resources Director - People & Culture

Aspen People; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 78,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

A major educational institution in Glasgow is seeking an experienced Human Resource Director to oversee their People & Culture strategy. The successful candidate will have a strong background in HR leadership, employment law, and change management. This role involves shaping culture, managing budgets, and ensuring diversity and inclusion within the college community. The organization offers competitive salary packages and the chance to lead a high-performing team.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in complex, unionised environments.
• Proven track record of culture change and managing large-scale transformation.
• Excellent problem-solving and motivational skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee HR, payroll, and organisational development.
• Deliver the People & Culture Strategy.
• Act as a trusted adviser to senior leaders and the Board.

Skills

CIPD qualification

Change management

Employment law expertise

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

CIPD qualification

Job description

Overview

City of Glasgow College

Human Resource Director – People & Culture – Glasgow  £78,859 - £87,600 per annum

About us

The City of Glasgow College is Scotland’s largest technological and professional skills college. We are more than just an institution – we are a dynamic, inclusive community, offering over 1,800 courses across a vast range of disciplines, from maritime training and culinary arts to creative industries and STEM. Our campuses are designed to support up to 40,000 students each year, offering state-of-the-art resources to help individuals from all backgrounds succeed. With a global presence in 26 countries, we welcome 4,000 international students and a diverse community representing 140 nationalities across six continents. Through forward-thinking industry partnerships, we create real-world opportunities for our students, fostering pathways to employment and innovation.

About the role

This senior leadership role oversees People & Culture at City of Glasgow College, covering HR, payroll, organisational development, wellbeing, and equality, diversity and inclusion. The postholder will shape and deliver the People & Culture Strategy, driving culture change, workforce planning, talent management and employee engagement. Acting as a trusted adviser to senior leaders and the Board, they will lead a high-performing directorate, manage risks and budgets, and build strong partnerships to position the College as an employer of choice with a distinctive “Team City” ethos.

About you

You will be a CIPD-qualified HR professional with significant senior leadership experience in complex, unionised environments. Skilled in employment law, change management and people strategy, you will have a strong track record of delivering culture change, managing large-scale transformation and working collaboratively with stakeholders. An inspirational leader with excellent communication and problem-solving skills, you will be able to motivate others, manage budgets effectively, and deliver results under pressure, bringing vision, creativity and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

How to apply / Additional information

For full details of these roles, please refer to the Job Description in ‘The Role’ section. For a confidential discussion, please contact Donogh O’Brien, Katharine Price or Gillian Blackadder at Aspen People on 0141 212 7555. For more information, please visit www.aspenpeople.co.uk/city/.

Application timeline

• Closing date for applications: Monday 6th October 2025
• First stage – virtual interviews: Tuesday 28th October
• Final in-person interviews: Friday 7th November – Glasgow City Campus