Head of hr jobs in Westminster, greater london

Head of Human Resources & Organisational Development

12-Month Fixed-Term Contract

Location: London, Euston

Lead the people agenda at one of the world's most influential architectural organisations.

At the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the global professional body for architecture, we're committed to creating an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing workplace that enables our colleagues to thrive and deliver real impact for our members and the wider profession.

We're looking for an experienced and inspiring Head of Human Resources & Organisational Development to join us on a 12-month fixed-term contract. Reporting to the Executive Director of Corporate Services and as a member of our Senior Management Team, you'll shape and lead our people strategy during an exciting period of organisational change.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a senior HR leader who enjoys combining strategic thinking with hands-on delivery and wants to make a lasting impact on organisational culture, leadership and employee experience.

What you'll be doing

You'll lead our HR and Organisational Development function, ensuring our people strategies, policies and services enable RIBA to attract, develop and retain talented colleagues.

You'll provide strategic leadership across:

• HR and Organisational Development strategy
• Business partnering and organisational design
• Talent attraction, development and succession
• Employee engagement and culture
• Learning and leadership development
• Performance management
• Employment law, HR policy and employee relations
• Health, safety and wellbeing

You'll also play a key role in delivering the people aspects of our House of Architecture Programme, helping to shape modern, flexible ways of working and ensuring RIBA continues to be a great place to work.

About you

You'll be an accomplished HR leader with the credibility to influence senior stakeholders and the practical experience to turn strategy into action.

You'll bring:

• Fellow CIPD qualification (or equivalent senior HR experience)
• Significant experience leading HR and organisational development functions
• A successful track record of delivering organisational and cultural change
• Strong employment law knowledge and commercial judgement
• Experience advising Executive teams, Boards and Committees
• Outstanding communication, influencing and leadership skills
• The ability to inspire teams while remaining pragmatic and hands-on

Experience within a charity, membership organisation or not-for-profit environment would be an advantage but isn't essential.

Why RIBA?

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of our organisation through our people. You'll join a passionate and collaborative team, influence decisions at the highest level and help create an inclusive, innovative and high-performing culture that supports our long-term ambitions.

If you're looking for a role where you can combine strategic leadership with meaningful organisational impact, we'd love to hear from you.

The interview process will be a two stage process, with the first interviews taking place on Wednesday 19th August, in-person, in the London offices.

Harris Hill is delighted to be partnering with a well-established national charity in the search for their new Head of People and Culture. For almost a century, this organisation has been creating healthier, more inclusive communities through practical programmes, national campaigns and meaningful advocacy, helping to improve people's everyday lives across the UK. This is an exciting opportunity to join the senior leadership team at a pivotal point in the organisation's journey, leading its people agenda while helping to shape its future culture, strategy and ways of working. The role offers a hybrid working arrangement, with one day a week in the London office.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will lead the development and delivery of the organisation's People and Culture strategy, ensuring it supports both organisational objectives and an outstanding colleague experience. You will provide strategic HR leadership across the full employee lifecycle, advising senior leaders on organisational development, workforce planning, employee relations, change management, learning and development, wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion, and performance management. You will oversee the People function, manage and develop a small team, maintain robust HR policies and systems, monitor people-related KPIs, and work closely with the Senior Management Team and Board to drive continuous improvement, positive organisational change and an inclusive, values-led culture.

We are looking for an experienced and commercially minded HR leader with a strong generalist background and a proven track record of developing and implementing successful people strategies. You will have excellent knowledge of UK employment law, experience advising senior leaders on complex people matters, and the credibility to influence at executive and Board level. You will be a confident leader with outstanding communication and relationship-building skills, capable of balancing strategic thinking with operational delivery. CIPD membership is essential, alongside experience of leading teams, managing organisational change and creating workplaces where people can thrive. Experience of working within the charity sector would be beneficial.

To apply, please submit your up-to-date CV by 18 August at 11:59 AM.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit a tailored cover letter after reviewing the full job description. Please note that only applicants with an unrestricted right to work in the UK will be considered for this position.

Please note, only successful applicants will be contacted with further information.

As a leading charity recruitment specialist and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

For almost 50 years, Animal Aid has been one of the UK's leading animal rights organisations. As we embark on an ambitious strategy to 2030, we're looking for an exceptional Head of People and Operations to help us build the organisation that will deliver our next stage of growth. 

This is a new and critical senior leadership role. While our mission is to create lasting change for animals, it is our people who make that possible every day. You'll help ensure Animal Aid is a supportive, high-performing and values-led organisation where staff can do their very best work for animals. 

Reporting to the General Manager and working closely with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team, you'll lead our people function, oversee HR strategy and operations, support organisational development, and play a key role in finance, governance and organisational effectiveness. 

We're looking for someone who combines strong HR leadership with excellent operational skills, strategic thinking and a genuine commitment to building positive workplace cultures. 

You'll bring: 

• Significant senior-level HR and people management experience 

• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice 

• Experience developing policies, processes and organisational systems 

• Excellent relationship-building, communication and leadership skills 

• The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery 

• CIPD Level 5+ (or equivalent experience) 

• Commitment to Animal Aid's aims and values, and sympathy with our ethical vegan position. 

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of a respected and influential not-for-profit at a pivotal moment in its development. 

Join us and help build the organisation that will power the next generation of progress for animals. 

Please note: Animal Aid cannot provide visa sponsorship, so applicants must have the legal right to live and work in the UK to be considered for this role. You must live in the UK and we are unable to pay any relocation costs.

First-round interviews will be held online the week commencing 14th September, with the second round held in person on 21st and 23rd September.