Interim Head of HR

You will support the delivery of the People & Culture plan, ensuring the organisation has the capability, culture and capacity to achieve its strategic objectives.

You will act as a trusted partner to SMT, translating organisational priorities into people solutions and driving a high-performance, values-led culture.

Based: Hybrid (ideally 2 days in office) The Grange, Saunderton, Princes Risborough.

Contract: Fixed term until 31 December 2026.

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week (part-time applications considered, min. 3 days per week).

Key Activities

• Lead, coach and develop the People team, line managing the People Business Partner and People Operations Manager, to deliver quality people services across the employee lifecycle
• Lead workforce planning aligned to organisational strategy and service delivery needs
• Provide expert HR advice and guidance on complex ER, risk and organisational change
• Oversee recruitment strategy and employer brand
• Ensure compliance with employment law, safeguarding and regulatory requirements
• Use people data and insights to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement
• Develop organisational approach to pay progression and employee benefits
• Lead on the development of a new EDI strategy

Customer and Service Delivery Expectations

• Leading and developing the People Experience function (made up of People Business Partnering and People Operations teams) to be high performing
• Timely, pragmatic and risk-aware HR advice
• High-quality, consistent and fair people processes
• Clear, simple and accessible guidance for managers
• Regular data reporting and people analytics support evidence-based recommendations aligned to organisational priorities
• Proactive rather than reactive support
• Compliance maintained with minimal risk exposure
• Positive feedback from SMT and other stakeholders on quality and impact of People team effectiveness

Key Deliverables

• People services and initiatives foster an inclusive, positive and high-performance culture in line with organisational values, and are delivered on time and within resource
• Improved employee engagement scores, measurable progress and clear action plan delivery
• Workforce plans aligned to service delivery needs and budget
• Achievement Development Review process is embedded with high completion rates and quality outcomes
• EDI strategy and policy developed, with implementation plan
• Pay progression framework and updated benefits package

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Programme. 
• Death in Service Payment. 
• Annual leave enhancements recognising long service 
• Day off for your birthday 
• Defined contribution group personal pension plan 
• Enhanced sick pay 
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay 
• Eye care 
• Hearing tests 
• Learning and Development opportunities 
• Discounts on merchandise at Hearing Dog gift shops 
• Pet Dog Policy

Closing date: 9th June 2026.

National charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People trains dogs to transform the lives of deaf people and provides hearing loss services – because nobody with hearing loss should feel alone.