People Director

Axon Moore; Derby; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Axon Moore is partnering with a privately owned international business to appoint a commercially minded Head of People. You will report to the CEO and work closely with the Founder and senior leadership to shape culture, capability, and the organisational structure for international growth.

This role blends strategy with hands-on execution, influencing at board level while remaining close to the business to drive performance, engagement and culture. The role is site-based.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a people function in high-growth privately owned businesses.
• Proven track record building scalable HR practices and frameworks.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to influence executive teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop a scalable people strategy aligned to growth plans.
• Partner with senior leaders on organisational design and transformation.
• Enhance HR policies and governance for a growing international workforce.
• Lead performance management, employee relations and leadership development.
• Strengthen recruitment and talent attraction strategies.
• Develop reward and recognition frameworks.
• Coach leaders to build management capability.
• Provide HR leadership across international locations.

Skills

People leadership

Stakeholder influence

HR strategy

Organisational design

Change management

Job description

We're partnering with a highly successful, privately owned international business that has established itself as a market leader within the consumer lifestyle sector. Following a sustained period of impressive growth, the business is entering an exciting new chapter, with ambitious expansion plans.

As the organisation continues to scale, they're looking to appoint a commercially minded Head of People who can build a people function fit for the next stage of the journey.

This is a confidential appointment offering the opportunity to work directly alongside the executive leadership team, helping shape the culture, capability and organisational structure of a fast-paced entrepreneurial business.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the CEO and partnering closely with the Founder and senior leadership team, you'll take ownership of the people agenda, creating the frameworks, processes and leadership capability required to support significant international growth.

This is a genuine blend of strategy and execution. You'll influence at board level while remaining close to the business, driving initiatives that have a visible impact on performance, engagement and culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a scalable people strategy aligned to ambitious business growth plans.
• Partner with senior leaders to support organisational design, change and transformation.
• Enhance HR policies, governance and people processes to support a growing international workforce.
• Build a consistent approach to performance management, employee relations and leadership development.
• Review and strengthen recruitment and talent attraction strategies.
• Develop competitive reward and recognition frameworks.
• Coach and support leaders to build management capability across the organisation.
• Provide HR leadership across multiple international locations, working with both commercial and operational teams.
• Support the continued integration and development of overseas operations.

About You

We're looking for an experienced HR leader who enjoys operating in ambitious, entrepreneurial businesses where no two days are the same.

You'll likely bring:

• Experience leading a people function within a high-growth, founder-led or privately owned business.
• A proven track record of building or transforming HR functions and implementing scalable people practices.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and executive teams.
• Experience supporting organisational growth, change and business transformation.
• Exposure to international operations, ideally including manufacturing or operational environments.
• A pragmatic, resilient and hands‑on leadership style.
• The confidence to challenge constructively while building trusted relationships across the business.

The Environment

This is a business that values pace, accountability and entrepreneurial thinking.

You'll thrive if you enjoy building from the ground up, making decisions quickly and working closely with leaders who are passionate about growing the business. Visibility and collaboration are important, so the role is predominantly site-based.

If you're looking for an opportunity where you can genuinely shape the future of a growing international business and leave a lasting legacy, we'd love to hear from you.