Head of hr jobs in Central london, greater london
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About Variety
There are 1.8m children living with disabilities in the UK with 600,000 children living in poverty. Variety exists to improve their lives. We believe every child has a right to live their best life and reach their full potential, whoever they are. We fund and deliver life-changing programmes that enhance their quality of life and give children and young people across the UK a better future. Over the past 75 years we have supported over one million children by funding almost 6,000 Sunshine Coaches, almost the same number of wheelchairs, and giving thousands of grants to individual children, schools, youth clubs and other organisations for specialist equipment. In addition, each year thousands of children take part in day trips, special events and educational activities as part of our Variety Great Days Out programme, and every single day we are improving more young lives. We do it with practical, tangible help, that makes a real and immediate difference.
Role purpose
Variety, the Children’s Charity is looking for a Head of People and Culture to lead and deliver all aspects of the charity’s people strategy. Part of the Operations Team, this is an exciting role combining strategic leadership with hands-on operational HR management. The postholder will be experienced in driving forward new strategies, ensuring Variety has robust, compliant and people centered practices in place. This role will support a positive, inclusive, and high-performing culture which is aligned to Variety’s mission and values.
This is a new role at Variety during an exciting time as we develop and launch a new three-year strategy later this year and invest in our people and culture. The staff team at Variety has grown over the last year, reflecting the charity’s ambitious strategy to double charitable expenditure over the next three years. We are at an exciting point to recruit an experienced HR professional to continue our growth, developing our people while strengthening our collaborative culture, champion wellbeing, and leading Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
The Head of People and Culture will work with the CEO and Senior Management Team and contribute to strategic decisions at Variety. There is a separate support service which is outsourced for complex or specialist HR matters if required. Variety is a small, dedicated team of 30 staff, and this role reports to the CEO with a close working relationship with the Director of Finance and Operations.
Key responsibilities
Strategy and Performance
Building organisational capacity is one of the pillars of our three-year strategy which is in development. Variety is investing in recruitment, and retention of a high-performing workforce with harmonised contracts and policies.
This role will:
- Develop and implement a People and Culture Strategy aligned with Variety’s new three-year organisational strategy
- Lead workforce planning and organisational development
- Implement and oversee a clear and consistent performance managementframework
- Mange safe and inclusive recruitment processes
- Lead the annual appraisal process and support probation reviews for new staff
- Provide regular reporting to the CEO for Trustee meetings on people metrics and any risks to the people strategy
- Manage the outsourced HR provider to Variety
HR operations and recruitment
- Oversee and directly manage recruitment, onboarding, probation, performance management and exit processes at Variety
- Develop and support the investment in recruitment and retention of high-performing team members
- Manage the onboarding process for new staff, sending offer letters, taking up references and inductions, ensuring a good start at Variety
- Manage employee relations cases (if they arise)
- Maintain and update the staff handbook, HR policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with UK employment law
- Introduce and manage an improved HR portal which will improve Variety’s HR function
- Manage the HR budget and the annual salary review process with the Director of Finance
- Support managers and staff in all aspects of people management
- Oversee payroll and benefits management (if applicable)
- Ensure staff have updated contracts and keep HR policies up to date
- Support managers in people management
- Advise the CEO and Senior Management Team on people-related risks
- Maintain accurate HR records in accordance with GDPR
- Carry out DBS checks for staff and volunteers
Culture and wellbeing
- Work with the Senior Management Team on cultural development and values-led behaviours across Variety
- Lead the People Strategy at Variety to foster a positive working environment, where people feel engaged, supported and happy at work
- Lead on Variety’s learning and development programme for all staff
- Promote a culture of feedback and continuous improvement
Person specification
Essential
- CIPD Level 7 qualified (or equivalent experience)
- Significant experience in a senior HR/People role, ideally within the charity or not-for-profit sector
- Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
- Experience managing employee relations cases independently
- Experience advising Senior Management Teams and Trustee boards
- Ability to operate strategically while delivering operational HR hands-on
- High level of discretion and confidentiality
Desirable
- Experience working as a standalone HR lead
- Experience working in a small or medium-sized organisations
- Knowledge of safeguarding requirements for the charity sector
- Experience implementing HR systems and improving processes
Key competencies
- Resilient and confident decision-maker
- Strong organisational and time management skills
- Values-driven and inclusive leadership style
- Comfortable working autonomously
Role scope and considerations
As this is a standalone, part-time position please consider:
- Clear prioritisation will be essential
- Operational HR tasks (e.g. contracts, letters, policy updates) sit within the role
- External HR advisers will be used for legal matters
- Administrative efficiency (templates, HR systems, automation) will be important to manage workload
- The role may include line management in the future
Benefits
- Enhanced Pension (7% contribution from Variety with 2% employee contribution)
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays. In addition, after one year's continuous service, an extra two days’ annual holiday for every complete year of service will be added, up to a maximum of five days' extra holiday (pro rata will apply for part-time).
- Three additional days between Christmas and New Year given as discretionary leave
- Membership to a health and well-being cash plan scheme
- Life Assurance scheme offering 4 x salary
- Company Sick Pay
Please note that this role may require travel within the UK, requires a DBS check and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
Variety, the Children's Charity is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Inclusion is one of our key values. It is our ambition to recruit great people from diverse communities. We welcome and encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment/identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy/maternity and or marriage/civil partnership status, race, religion or belief. Please let us know if you have any access requirements which we might need to consider in relation to the selection process.
How to apply
Please submit your CV with a cover letter explaining why you’d make a great candidate for this role and how you meet the job description. In your cover letter please include a people system or HR platform you have implemented that improved operational efficiency and employee experience. What was your approach and what impact did it have.
Applications will close at midnight on Sunday, 15 March 2026 with first round interviews w/c 23 March 2026.
Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements or need any adjustments for the interview.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of People to join the College and shape a new role in the People team. This is a hands-on post, providing operational and strategic partnering across the College and taking a leadership role in the People team. You will be our expert on business partnering and employee relations, champion delivery of our equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) plans and foster a supportive culture across the organisation.
The Head of People will collaborate with the People team and leaders across the organisation to deliver our people enabling plan by leading on projects, overseeing our operations and developing our policies and procedures.
Key responsibilities:
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Lead people partnering and employee relations
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Champion EDI and wellbeing
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Design and deliver organisational development and culture
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Coach and support effective, high-performing teams
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Use data analytics to identify trends, provide insights, recommend improvements
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Support delivery of our people operations work
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Deputise for Director of People when required
his role is ideal for a talented people professional who is ready to develop their already significant experience by leading a small team while delivering operationally, implementing our ambitious people plans and making a meaningful impact in a values-led, mission focused organisation.
For the full list of key responsibilities, please see the recruitment pack.
About you
We would love to hear from you if you are ready to contribute to our mission to improve the health of women and girls worldwide. You will have experience working in a business partnering model, understanding of great HR operations and have a passion for EDI, along with skills and capabilities in the following:
Requirements:
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Credible, inclusive HR business partner to leaders at all levels
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Effective, authentic people manager
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Managing complex employee relations matters
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Deep understanding of employment law
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Supporting with organisational design, development and change management
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Shaping and implementing people policies
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Strong skills in data analytics, project management and policy and report writing
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CIPD level 5 qualification or equivalent expertise
Our culture and benefits
You will be based at our London Bridge offices. We offer hybrid working arrangements and this role will require regular office attendance at least one day a week to ensure visibility and collaboration. We offer a supportive, values-led culture and a competitive benefits package, including:
- 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and office closure from 25 December to 1 January
- 10% employer pension contribution
- Life assurance and income protection schemes
- Employee assistance programme –24/7 confidential advice line and counselling
- Interest-free season ticket loan
- Free lunch in our offices in Union Street, London
- Daily ‘wellness hour’ to support staff to take breaks and focus on wellness
- Tailored learning and development
- Enhanced wellbeing and family support
- Employee-led diversity networks
- Volunteering days
- Lifestyle discounts
For a full list of the benefits we offer, please visit our careers site.
How to apply
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Click on Apply to be taken to our recruitment platform, Applied. Please visit our careers website, to download the full job pack.
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Applications close at 10.00 am on Monday 9 March 2026.
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We will be interviewing candidates at the RCOG in Union Street, SE1 on Monday 16 March 2026.
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We encourage candidates to apply early and reserve the right to close the advert and appoint before the closing date.
We believe that diverse teams will deliver the best outcomes for women's healthcare and we strive to be an inclusive employer. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented groups, including people with disabilities and Black, Asian, and minority ethnic candidates. We recognise that strong candidates may bring different career paths and experiences. If you are excited by the role and believe you can make a meaningful contribution, we encourage you to apply.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer under the UK Government’s Disability Confident Scheme. We take positive action in employing disabled people, please let us know if you wish to declare that you have a disability.
Please note: We are only accepting applicants with a right to work in the UK; we are unable to sponsor people requiring a work visa.
About us
RCOG is a professional membership association dedicated to improving women’s health care across the world. We do this by setting standards for clinical practice, providing doctors with training and lifelong learning, and working with partners to advocate for women’s health and health care across their life course. We are a global leader in this specialist area, supporting 18,000 members in the UK and internationally.
Our values of high standards, innovation, openness, inclusiveness and trust are at the centre of all we do.
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Thank you!
Citizens UK
Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.
Purpose
The Head of People & Culture ensures that Citizens UK has the people, organisational capacity and enabling culture required to deliver its mission of building people power and strengthening civil society. The role plays a central part in securing a workforce that is capable, motivated and aligned with Citizens UK’s values, enabling the organisation to build strong alliances, support local leadership and achieve lasting social change.
Working as part of the senior leadership team, and under the direction of the Executive Director, Finance & Operations, the role strengthens organisational effectiveness by embedding fair, inclusive and well-governed people practices. Through sound employment frameworks, statutory compliance and a culture that supports engagement, performance and wellbeing, the Head of People & Culture safeguards Citizens UK’s resilience, reputation and ability to deliver impact at scale.
Main Responsibilities
Working as the Head of People & Culture for Citizens UK, reporting to the Executive Director, Finance & Operations, your main responsibilities will include:
People & Culture Strategy
Ensure Citizens UK has the people, capability and organisational shape required to deliver its mission and sustain impact over time.
· Analyse organisational strategy, change priorities and external context to identify their implications for people, capability, structure and ways of working.
· Carry out workforce planning to assess current and future capacity and capability, identifying gaps, risks and realistic options to address them.
· Develop, maintain and refresh the People & Culture strategy so it responds directly to organisational needs and provides clear priorities for action.
· Provide expert people and culture advice to the Executive Leadership Team and Board, informing strategic discussions, trade-offs and decisions.
Talent Management
Develop and implement talent management processes that ensure Citizens UK attracts, retains and sustains the people needed to deliver its work.
· Lead recruitment, selection and onboarding to bring in people who can perform effectively in their roles and are aligned with Citizens UK’s values.
· Develop and maintain retention approaches focused on the key drivers of retention, including meaningful work, effective management, development opportunities, wellbeing, inclusion and fair treatment.
· Identify critical roles and critical talent and put in place practical succession and risk-mitigation plans, including knowledge transfer, handover planning and interim cover where needed.
· Monitor employee experience across the employment lifecycle, using insight from feedback and people data to improve people practices and ways of working.
Performance, Leadership & Capability
Strengthen organisational effectiveness by enabling teams to perform well, grow in capability and contribute consistently to shared goals.
· Maintain and operate performance management processes, including objective setting, regular feedback and reviews, ensuring that staff are clear on expectations and accountable for results.
· Support managers to address performance issues constructively by clarifying expectations, strengthening feedback, building capability and resolving barriers to effective performance.
· Coordinate and deliver learning and development activity that supports managers and staff to build skills, leadership capability and confidence in their roles.
Organisational Culture, Engagement & Wellbeing
Foster a working environment where people feel engaged, supported and able to do their best work together.
· Promote Citizens UK’s values in everyday people practices, supporting managers to translate values into consistent behaviours, decision-making and ways of working.
· Design and operate staff engagement and feedback mechanisms, ensuring staff voice is heard, themes are analysed, and practical actions are taken in response.
· Develop and maintain wellbeing approaches that support psychological safety, healthy workload management, early resolution of concerns and sustainable working practices.
· Support constructive relationships with the Trade Union and enable effective consultation and dialogue on people-related matters.
EDI & Safeguarding
Ensure Citizens UK is equitable, inclusive and safe for all by embedding fairness, care and accountability into how the organisation operates.
· Develop and implement Equity, Diversity and Inclusion priorities, using clear measures to monitor progress, identify gaps and support accountability across the organisation.
· Embed EDI considerations into recruitment, progression, policy development and everyday people decisions, working closely with relevant colleagues to ensure consistency in practice.
· Act as the People & Culture lead for safeguarding, ensuring responsibilities are clear, processes are understood, and concerns are handled appropriately, sensitively and in line with agreed procedures.
· Support managers and leaders to recognise and address inclusion or safeguarding issues early, escalating concerns where required and ensuring appropriate follow-up.
Governance, Risk & Compliance
Ensure Citizens UK has a clear, effective and trusted people governance framework that supports lawful decision-making, fair treatment and organisational confidence.
· Develop, review and maintain People & Culture policies and procedures, ensuring they are legally compliant, values-aligned and understood by managers and staff.
· Provide day-to-day advice and guidance on people-related risk and compliance, identifying emerging issues early and supporting proportionate, lawful responses.
· Manage disciplinary, grievance and other formal employment processes, ensuring fairness, consistency, appropriate documentation and timely resolution.
Systems & HR Operations
Ensure the efficient, reliable and compliant administration of people processes and systems.
· Operate and maintain HR systems, payroll processes and core people administration, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality and compliance with organisational and legal requirements.
· Review and improve people processes to reduce duplication, minimise manual work and improve efficiency, making best use of available technology and automation.
· Maintain accurate and up-to-date people records and data, ensuring information is accessible, secure and fit for reporting, audit and operational needs.
Functional Leadership & Resource Management
Build and manage CUK’s People & Culture function, ensuring that staff and resources contribute effectively to achievement of CUK’s mission.
· Plan, prioritise and sequence People & Culture work to ensure available capacity is focused on the organisation’s most important people risks and priorities.
· Manage the People & Culture budget, including payroll, monitoring spend and applying value-for-money principles in line with organisational policies.
· Manage People & Culture staff and outsourced service providers utilising an engaging leadership style to support effective delivery of expectations.
Personal Specification
(D) Desirable, (E) Essential
Qualifications
· (E) CIPD qualification (Level 7) or equivalent senior-level professional experience in People / HR leadership
· (D) Degree or equivalent qualification in human resources, organisational development, management or a related field
Experience
· (E) Significant experience in a senior People / HR role, ideally within a charity, not-for-profit or values-driven organisation
· (E) Experience of leading and delivering people and culture priorities in complex, mission-led organisations
· (E) Experience of advising Executive and Board-level stakeholders on people, culture, governance and risk matters
· (E) Experience of operating as a senior, hands-on HR generalist, covering strategy, policy, employee relations and operational delivery
· (E) Experience of workforce planning, recruitment, performance management and organisational change
· (D) Experience of working with trade unions or staff representative bodies
Key skills and knowledge
· (E) Strong generalist HR expertise across employment law, compliance, safeguarding, performance management and people governance
· (E) Proven ability to design and implement practical people processes that support performance, inclusion and wellbeing
· (E) Strong coaching capability, with the ability to support managers to address performance, capability and behavioural issues constructively
· (E) Ability to manage complex employee relations matters with judgement, fairness and confidence
· (E) Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present clear advice and recommendations to senior leaders and boards
· (D) Knowledge of HR systems, people data and process improvement to support efficient delivery
Personal qualities & values
· (E) Strong commitment to social justice, inclusion and the values and mission of Citizens UK
· (E) Values-led and relational leadership style, combining empathy, integrity and pragmatism
· (E) Resilient and adaptable, able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced and evolving environment
· (E) Comfortable working within an accountable team culture, open to feedback, reflective practice and continuous improvement
· (D) Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends, and to travel when required to support organisational priorities
First round interviews to be held on W/C 16 March 2026
Second round interviews to be held on W/C 23 March 2026
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.