Director of People Operations & Engagement

Sanderson; Leinster; Hybrid; EUR 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Talbot Group, retained by Sanderson, seeks a Director of People Operations & Engagement to lead and transform the group’s people agenda. You will report to the CEO and shape the future direction of the organisation, delivering a modern, high-quality People function across the Group.

This is a senior leadership role covering people operations, recruitment & retention, employee engagement, organisational development, workforce planning, employee relations and leadership capability.

Qualifications

• Senior HR leader with strategic thinking and operational excellence.
• Significant experience leading and transforming a People function.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, employee relations and people operations.
• Proven track record in leadership development and culture change.

Responsibilities

• Support the CEO and SLT in translating group priorities into action.
• Lead the operational delivery of the People function across the Group.
• Embed people, capability and culture into business planning.
• Develop and strengthen the People operating model.
• Build credibility through high-quality service delivery and stakeholder engagement.
• Partner with senior leaders on organisational development and capability initiatives.
• Develop management and leadership capability through talent management and succession planning.
• Lead development and implementation of people policies and standards.
• Drive consistency, accountability and service excellence across core people processes.
• Ensure effective delivery across the employee lifecycle.
• Oversee employee relations, engagement, performance and capability initiatives.
• Use data and workforce planning to support informed business decisions.

Skills

People leadership

Organisational development

Stakeholder engagement

Talent management

Strategic HR

Change management

Data-driven decisions

Hybrid working

Job description

Director of People Operations & Engagement

Role Summary

Sanderson has been exclusively retained by Talbot Group to appoint a Director of People Operations & Engagement reporting directly to the CEO. This person will lead and transform the operational delivery of the people agenda while helping to shape the future direction of the organisation. This critical hire will ensure the People function delivers a consistent, commercially focused and high-quality service across the Group.

This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for people operations, recruitment & retention, employee engagement, organisational development, workforce planning, employee relations and leadership capability. This is an opportunity to join a purpose-driven organisation at a pivotal stage of growth and development. You will have direct influence on organisational strategy while building a modern, effective and highly valued People function that supports colleagues across the Group.

Core Responsibilities:

• Support the CEO and senior leadership team in translating the Group's people strategy and organisational priorities into practical action.
• Lead the operational delivery of the People function and ensure a consistent employee experience across the Group.
• Embed people, capability and culture considerations into business planning and decision-making.
• Continue to develop and strengthen the People operating model.
• Build credibility and trust in the People function through high-quality service delivery and strong stakeholder engagement.
• Partner with senior leaders on organisational development, change and capability initiatives.
• Develop management and leadership capability through effective talent management and succession planning.
• Lead the development and implementation of people policies, procedures and operational standards.
• Drive consistency, accountability and service excellence across core people processes.
• Ensure effective and efficient delivery across the entire employee lifecycle.
• Oversee employee relations, engagement, performance and organisational capability initiatives.
• Use data, insight and workforce planning to support informed business decisions.

Skills & Experience

• Significant experience leading and transforming the People function within in a multi-site or complex organisation.
• Proven experience developing and delivering recruitment and workforce strategies that strengthen organisational capability, support growth and ensure access to critical talent.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, employee relations and people operations.
• A track record of leading organisational change, culture and engagement initiatives.
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to balance people priorities with business outcomes.
• Experience developing high-performing teams and building management capability.
• You are a senior HR leader who combines strategic thinking with operational excellence.
• Hybrid working available but greater on-site presence is required during onboarding and the initial period in role.