People & Culture Director (Executive Head of HR)

Dr. Oetker (UK) Ltd.; Leeds; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A multinational food company is seeking a People & Culture Director to lead the HR agenda in the UK. The role requires extensive HR leadership experience and expertise in UK employment law. Responsibilities include aligning local strategies with global frameworks and advising the leadership team. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 33 days annual leave, private medical insurance, and an incentivized employee referral scheme.

Benefits

33 days annual leave

Free Life Assurance

Enhanced Company Sick Pay

Private medical insurance

Free pizzas

Subsidised on-site restaurant

Free on-site parking

Employee referral scheme

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a senior HR/People leadership role.
• In-depth knowledge of UK employment law and relations.
• Proven leadership and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the local people agenda, aligning with global frameworks.
• Integrate local laws and expectations into people strategies.
• Advise the leadership team on local people strategies.

Skills

Talent management

Organizational design

Change leadership

Employee relations

Strategic thinking

Data-driven decision-making

Education

Bachelor’s degree or Master’s in HR

Chartered member of CIPD

Job description

People & Culture Director (Executive Head of HR)

The People & Culture Director (Executive Head of HR) is responsible for leading the people agenda in the UK Market, aligning global People & Culture frameworks with the business needs. Operating within a matrix structure, this role balances local regulatory and cultural requirements with regional and global priorities, ensuring an engaged, high‑performing, and inclusive workforce.

Responsibilities

• Global frameworks are translated effectively into the local market.
• Local culture, laws, and employee expectations are integrated into people strategies.
• The market leadership team is equipped with the leadership, talent, and culture required for business success.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director and leadership team; shape and deliver the local people strategy aligned with business priorities to drive commercial outcomes.
• Lead workforce and succession planning, and build leadership capability to ensure a strong, sustainable pipeline of successors for critical roles.
• Champion company values, DE&I initiatives, and employee engagement programs to foster inclusion and alignment across the market.
• Support organizational effectiveness and lead transformation and change management initiatives, embedding agility and resilience.
• Ensure compliance with local labor laws and manage relationships with works councils, unions, and employee representatives.
• Oversee delivery of HR processes (recruitment, reward, performance, learning, etc.).
• Balance global direction with local execution; ensure market needs are understood and represented at regional/global level.

Expected Impact

• A leadership team aligned on people and culture priorities.
• Market people strategy directly enabling business growth and transformation.
• A resilient, engaged, and inclusive workforce.
• Clear succession readiness and leadership bench strength.
• Smooth execution of global initiatives, adapted to local realities.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a senior HR/People leadership role, ideally within a multinational and matrix structure.
• Strong expertise in talent management, organizational design, change leadership, and employee relations.
• Demonstrated ability to balance global frameworks with local requirements.
• Proven leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management skills.
• In‑depth knowledge and experience in UK employment law and employment relations, rewards & benefits, etc.
• Bachelor’s degree or Master’s (ideally HR).
• Chartered member of the Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) (Essential).
• Qualifications in Organizational design, psychology, employment law would be highly beneficial.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking & commercial acumen
• Leadership & influence
• Collaboration across matrix structures
• Strong interpersonal & communication skills
• Data‑driven decision‑making

Success Measures

• Alignment of people strategy to business goals and global People & Culture direction.
• Improved employee engagement, retention, and leadership pipeline.
• Effective execution of global HR initiatives adapted to local needs.
• Positive compliance and employee relations record.

Benefits

• 33 days annual leave (inc bank holidays) which increases with service.
• Free Life Assurance at 4 times basic annual salary.
• Enhanced Company Sick Pay.
• Salary sacrifice Pension scheme (3% employee contribution, 6% employer contribution).
• Private medical insurance (BUPA).
• Health care Cash Plan Scheme (BUPA).
• Annual healthy heart MOT's.
• Enhanced Family Friendly Leave.
• Free pizzas.
• Subsidised on‑site restaurant with hot and cold meals, a salad/deli bar, snack machines and microwaves and storage facilities for those who prefer to bring their own.
• Free tea, coffee and fresh fruit.
• Free on‑site parking.
• Free Wi‑Fi on site.
• Employee Referral Scheme £350 – once you know how great it is to work here, you’ll want to bring your friends and family!
• Regular Employee Forums ensuring all employees have a voice.
• Incentivised employee suggestion scheme.
• Employee loyalty scheme recognising length of service milestones at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 years and beyond!
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Free eye test vouchers.