People Director

Manchester United; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job description

Location: Manchester, Old Trafford & Carrington Training Complex

At Manchester United, we believe that excellence on the pitch starts with excellence off the pitch. Our team thrives in a high-performance environment, united by a shared passion for success. We aim to elevate the standard of performance through collaboration and continuous growth, creating a space where everyone can contribute their best to our common goals.

We work together at our iconic Manchester United offices, enabling connection and innovation as we look ahead to what we can achieve as a global football club. We are excited to bring in passionate people who share our vision and drive for success.

The Role

We are seeking an executive level People Director to lead our people strategy and build a world-class employee experience across Manchester United.

The People Director will serve as a trusted partner to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team, leading the development and execution of people strategies to support our performance goals, brand values, and culture. The role will be responsible for workforce planning, operating model design, change management, people transformation, talent management, safeguarding, culture-building, organisational development and employee engagement.

Key Responsibilities
Executive Leadership:

1. Develop and execute a comprehensive people strategy aligned with Manchester United’s priorities, values, and culture.
2. Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and senior leadership on organisational design, talent, and people transformation.
3. Design and embed impactful leadership and cultural change programmes that drive long-term club success.

Culture, Wellbeing & Engagement:

1. Champion a high-performance, values-led culture that reflects the passion and spirit of football.
2. Lead initiatives that enhance employee engagement, wellbeing, and a strong sense of belonging across all areas of the Club.

Talent & Workforce Management:

1. Own and drive the future workforce strategy, aligning talent acquisition, onboarding, succession planning and leadership development.
2. Ensure the club is equipped with the right talent to deliver both footballing and commercial success.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

1. Lead DEI initiatives that create equitable opportunities across the workforce.
2. Serve as a visible advocate for inclusive leadership practices.

Performance & Compensation:

1. Lead the design and execution of performance management, total rewards, compensation benchmarking, and benefits strategies to attract and retain top talent.
2. Align incentives with sponsorship partners and their brand strategy.

People Operations & Compliance:

1. Oversee all aspects of HR operations, systems, employee relations, and compliance.
2. Lead the people workstream of any club-wide technology transformations.
3. Ensure HR policies and practices comply with legal standards and reflect industry best practices.
4. Provide meaningful people analytics and MI to inform strategic decisions on talent, leadership, and development.
5. Partner closely with Finance and senior leadership to manage and optimise the club’s employee cost budget.

Safeguarding:

1. Oversee Safeguarding expertise for the club, ensuring policy, culture, reporting and leadership are aligned to best practice.

Team Leadership:

1. Lead, develop and inspire the People team, ensuring cross-functional collaboration and excellence.

The Person:
We Are Looking For Someone Who Can Bring:

1. Extensive and progressive HR leadership experience, including at the executive level.
2. A proven ability to lead organisational change and drive culture transformation.
3. In-depth knowledge of HR best practices, employment law, DEI, and performance management.
4. A strong track record of operating in high-profile environments subject to public and media scrutiny, with a clear understanding of brand and reputational risk management.
5. Experience working with diverse talent pools, including unionised/non-unionised environments, casual workers, and high-profile talent.
6. Strong emotional intelligence, leadership presence, and communication skills.
7. Degree-level qualification (or equivalent) in HR, Business, or related field required. Strong evidence of formal self-development is essential given the seniority of the role.
8. Experience in M&A and post-transaction integration preferred.

What We Offer:
At Manchester United, we recognise that our people are at the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a range of rewards designed to support your professional and personal well-being:

1. Annual incentive scheme.
2. Wellness Support with access to mental health resources, digital health checks, and nutritionists through Aviva Digicare+ Workplace.
3. Exclusive Discounts through our United Rewards platform, giving you access to exclusive deals from the club and partners.
4. Gym Facilities in our onsite locations and opportunities for regular social events and team-building activities.
5. Enhanced family Leave Benefits and an opportunity to purchase additional holiday days.
6. Enhanced Career Development with access to professional learning platforms like LinkedIn Learning, and internal training programs.
7. A Supportive Work Environment that values diversity, equity and inclusion, and individual growth.

Our Commitment to You:
At Manchester United, we believe that a diverse and inclusive environment makes us stronger. We are committed to building a team where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the core of our recruitment strategy, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Ready to Join Us?
If this sounds like the perfect role for you, please submit your application by Monday 28th April.
Manchester United is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, and as part of this commitment, all candidates will undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check and reference checks.
If you need any adjustments to help you perform at your best during the recruitment process, please feel free to contact us, and we will be happy to discuss them with you.
It is unlawful to employ a person in a UK-based job who does not have permission to live and work in the UK. You should make yourself aware of how immigration laws apply to you before applying for any of our roles. Your personal data will be processed on MU’s behalf by Korn Ferry.