People director jobs

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness, working side by side with thousands of people each year as they find ways out of homelessness. All of us need a decent home – to be healthy and to thrive. Currently though, this basic human need isn’t being met for so many people across the UK.

At Crisis, we have an incredible and committed workforce of more than 600 employees across England, Scotland and Wales, as well as c5,000 inspiring volunteers who are central to the success of our Christmas services and the running of our shops. Without them Crisis quite simply wouldn’t exist.

This is an exciting time to be joining Crisis. Emerging from a period of change, we are in the first year of our new 10-year strategy and an even greater focus on purpose and priorities. Central to the success of this will be ensuring that Crisis is a positive, high performing and inclusive work environment that allows us to have the greatest impact for those that we support.

As a member of the wider leadership team, the Director of People & Culture will be responsible for developing a strategy that meets our aspirations for our staff and volunteers, attracting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce and creating an environment that allows everyone who works with us to feel safe and be the best that they can be.  As our most senior People leader in the charity, this is a role that is highly visible at all levels and you will be required to build strong, trusted relationships across the leadership team, our Board and with our staff and volunteers.

We are looking for an authentic and inspiring leader who brings significant experience of developing and implementing people strategies, with strong knowledge of culture and organisational development. You will have a confident and informed approach to all things relating to people and culture and a proven commitment to promoting equity and inclusion in the workplace, so that everyone feels able to be their authentic and best selves. With high levels of emotional intelligence, you will also be a leader who gives space and encouragement for the team to learn on their own, while being able to spot when they need support, and also have the humility to acknowledge the things that you don’t know yourself.

We want to hear from experienced people leaders who share our vision and values, we also welcome applications from emerging leaders for whom this will be their first director role but who bring the enthusiasm and drive to succeed in it.

We are excited for someone to join us who is passionate about ending homelessness and ensuring that their team is focused on delivering excellence to ensure that we are achieving the Crisis mission. If this sounds like you then we would love to hear from you.

At Ambitious about Autism, we're currently looking for a People Advisor to join our team.

You'll support managers and staff with advice on ways of working, implementation of employment policies and enabling effective people management across AaA through supporting employee relations case work. You'll also ensure that all variations to contracts impacting terms and conditions of employment and pay are written accurately.

You'll support managers with absence/health issues, including making occupational health referrals as required, and following up and assisting through the capability process. You'll prepare HR related documentation and support administration, ensuring records are kept securely, confidentially and up to date.

We are looking for some someone who has:

• A CIPD qualification/currently studying towards a CIPD qualification or demonstrable equivalent ER experience.
• Demonstrable experience providing advice to managers and staff on HR related matters.
• Strong knowledge of ER case work, current employment law and HR best practice.
• Ability to build strong relationships with multiple stakeholders with an ability to be sensitive, diplomatic and tactful when required.

In return, we offer great benefits including a generous holiday allowance and commitment to continued professional development (CPD), flexible, hybrid working and more!

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who would like to work for a forward-thinking, open and honest organisation and make a real impact to the young people we work with. Please find our full recruitment pack on the link below.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to have a confidential chat, please contact James Axford, Recruitment Officer.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.

Join us and lead the growth of a thriving, mission driven charity. As our Commercial Services Director, you will shape and drive the sustainable income that powers life changing services for older people across Lincolnshire.

Working at both a strategic and operational level, you will provide visionary leadership across Age UK Lincolnshire’s commercial portfolio. Partnering closely with the Chief Executive, Board of Trustees, Executive Team, staff, volunteers and the older people we serve, you will help set organisational direction, identify future opportunities, and ensure strong oversight of performance, policies and priorities.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, this commercially focused role is responsible for generating income and overseeing all income producing services within the charity. You will balance ambition with purpose—ensuring that our charitable aims are upheld and that older people remain at the heart of every service and development.

As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will play a central role in shaping, developing and delivering the future of our commercial activities. You will lead the growth of existing services and pioneer new income streams across the region, expanding our reach so that more older people can benefit from high quality support. This position combines strategic innovation with hands on delivery, offering the opportunity to make a significant and lasting impact on the lives of older people in Lincolnshire.

The post-holder needs to be a confident communicator who is self-driven, proactive and dedicated, with an enthusiastic and positive approach to delivering and developing services for older people. Knowledge and experience in the charity sector and business development is desirable. The post-holder would also ideally have knowledge of the Health and Social Care Sector.

Please go to our Age UK Lincolnshire website to view the full recruitment pack.

One of London’s historic “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries, the Cemetery Park is now a Local Nature Reserve and a vital green space in the heart of the East End — where biodiversity, heritage and community come together.

Founded in 1990, the Friends are an award-winning charity dedicated to protecting and caring for this unique site. Now, we are looking for a values-driven, collaborative leader to help strengthen our organisation for the future.

About the role

This is a senior leadership position within a collaborative charity structure. You will:

– Work closely with the Board of Trustees on strategy and governance

– Lead on finance, fundraising and organisational sustainability

– Support and develop staff and volunteers

– Represent the charity externally

– Work in close partnership with our longstanding Cemetery Park Manager

Importantly, this is not a corporate CEO role. It is an opportunity to lead within a community-rooted, place-based charity where humility, partnership and emotional intelligence matter as much as strategy.

We’re looking for someone who:

•  Has senior experience in a charity or values-led organisation
•  Understands governance and financial sustainability
•  Can build trust with staff, volunteers and stakeholders
•  Is excited by heritage, conservation and community

As a small charity, this role balances strategic thinking with hands-on involvement.

Lead Financial Strategy. Enable Extraordinary Care.

At Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service, we provide specialist care and vital support to children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families, across Berkshire and surrounding counties.

It costs £3.4 million each year to maintain our current level of care, with minimal government funding. Every decision we make must balance compassion with sustainability. We are now seeking an exceptional Director of Finance to help secure our long-term future and develop services in line with demand.

This is more than a finance role. It is an opportunity to shape the financial strategy of a much-loved local charity and ensure we continue reaching every child and family who needs us.

The Role

As Director of Finance, you will:

• Provide strategic financial leadership and be a key member of the Senior Management Team
• Lead long-term financial planning to ensure sustainability and resilience
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cashflow and reserves management
• Ensure compliance with charity accounting standards and statutory requirements
• Present clear, insightful financial reports to the Board of Trustees
• Be responsible for financial controls, systems and governance

You will work closely with the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team, helping to shape the future direction of the organisation.

About You

We are looking for a strategic and values-driven finance leader who brings:

• A recognised accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Significant senior financial leadership experience
• Strong experience in strategic planning, budgeting and financial governance
• The ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial audiences
• High levels of integrity, judgement and emotional intelligence

Charity or healthcare experience is welcome but not essential. We are equally interested in candidates from commercial or public sector backgrounds who are motivated to apply their expertise in a purpose-driven environment.

Why Join Us?

• Work in a beautiful, purpose-built hospice in Maidenhead
• Generous annual leave, including your birthday off and additional “Alexander Days”
• Pension and Death in Service cover
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free on-site parking
• A genuinely supportive, values-led culture
• Staff discounts

At Ambitious about Autism, we're looking for a People Advisory Manager to join our team.

You'll lead and manage the team of People Advisors, as well as the Onboarding team, to deliver a customer and quality focused service to managers and staff on all matters relating to the employment lifecycle for all employees. You'll coordinate and manage employee relations casework and lead on people support queries, advising managers and staff on ways of working and implementing employment policies.

You'll provide guidance on safer recruitment, safeguarding and vetting policies in line with Ofsted, CQC and Keeping Children Safe in Education legislation, as well as managing and reporting on Occupational Health service usage.

We are looking for some who has:

• Demonstrable experience of providing advice to managers and staff on HR related matters.
• Experience of applying and managing pre-employment checks inclusive of DBS, Right to Work and other associated compliance
• Experience and desire in delivering a customer focused advisory and onboarding service.
• CIPD qualified level 5 or above or demonstrable equivalent Employee Relations and HR Management experience.

In return, we offer great benefits including a generous holiday allowance and commitment to continued professional development (CPD), flexible, hybrid working and more!

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who would like to work for a forward-thinking, open and honest organisation and make a real impact to the young people we work with. Please find our full recruitment pack on the link below.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to have a confidential chat, please contact James Axford, Recruitment Officer.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.

Are you a values-driven leader who believes that women facing domestic abuse deserve exceptional services - services not just designed for them, but truly shaped by their lived experiences?

Leeds Women's Aid (LWA) is a proudly feminist, women-centred organisation delivering life-changing support for women and girls experiencing domestic abuse. As they enter an exciting time of growth and transformation, they're looking for a visionary Director of Services & Engagement to help shape the next era of innovation and impact.

Salary: £55,000-£60,000
Location: Hybrid (50/50) split between Leeds office, home and cross-service/stakeholders
Contract: Permanent, 35 hours per week FTE
Benefits: 30 days annual leave (+bank), 5% employer pension contribution, enhanced maternity/paternity policies, flexible life and family-friendly working

About the opportunity
In this newly reimagined role, you'll lead service delivery and engagement with women accessing LWA's support, ensuring services are safe, trauma-informed and inclusive - and, above all, grounded in women's lived experiences. You will create the conditions for their voices to be heard, valued and amplified, so they meaningfully shape practice and influence change.

This is a rare, career-defining opportunity at the heart of LWA's future. The organisation is building a visible, united and inspiring senior team, rooted in shared leadership, mutual accountability and collaboration.

You'll take ownership of a diverse and dynamic portfolio spanning refuge, community services, housing, engagement, impact and performance. As an ambitious organisational strategy gains momentum, you'll focus on strengthening partnerships, building emerging housing capability and ensuring survivors' voices influence every decision.

Taking the lead on

• Strategic oversight of frontline services and survivor-centred practice.
• Coaching-led leadership for managers and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Quality assurance, performance, safeguarding and operational risk.
• Innovation and service development informed by data, evidence and lived experience.
• External engagement with commissioners, statutory services and the wider sector.
• Development of a sustainable, forward-facing housing strategy.

About you
You are a confident, highly skilled operational leader with a deep commitment to women-centred, trauma-informed practice. You bring the credibility and conviction to represent an organisation rooted in women's lived experience, ensuring its values, language and decisions consistently reflect women-centred principles.

You'll also bring:

• Senior leadership experience within charity, public sector or social care settings.
• Proven track record of delivering high-quality services across complex teams.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to identify and drive innovation and change.
• Sound judgement, calm decision-making and strong relationship-building skills.
• Able to offer respectful challenge, foster reflective practice and shared ownership.
• Consistently values-led, inclusive and ethical in your leadership.

Please note, this is a women-only role under the Equality Act 2010, which is an Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Why this role matters
You'll join an organisation with courageous ambition and a commitment to collective leadership. This role gives you the platform to influence strategy, shape service excellence, elevate survivor voice and lead a talented, purpose-led workforce making a profound difference every day.

Are you ready to apply?
Please send a copy of your CV or profile to Amelia Lee at Charity People as the first step.
If your experience matches what we're looking for, then we'll be in touch with more detail about the application process.

Deadline: 9am on Wednesday 25th March
Interview dates will be confirmed soon.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Strong relationships change lives.

At Relationship Works, we support individuals, couples and families to build healthier, happier relationships and better emotional wellbeing — strengthening communities in the process. As part of the TLC Group, we deliver safe, ethical and high-quality counselling services rooted in compassion and professionalism.

We’re entering an exciting phase of growth and development and are now looking for an Executive Director to lead day-to-day delivery and strengthen our operational foundations.

The Role

This is a senior operational leadership role with meaningful scope and support from the wider TLC Group infrastructure.

You will:

• Lead the day-to-day running of Relationship Works
• Ensure high-quality, safe and ethical clinical practice
• Support the delivery of agreed growth and development plans
• Strengthen financial oversight and manage budgets responsibly
• Improve systems, processes and the client journey
• Support marketing and partnership activity alongside TLC colleagues
• Develop and support a skilled, diverse counselling workforce

You’ll work closely with TLC Group colleagues who lead on strategy, marketing and wider organisational development — giving you the support and structure to focus on excellent service delivery and sustainable operations.

About You

We’re looking for a values-led, people-focused leader with sound judgement and strong operational experience.

You’ll bring:

• Experience of leading teams and managing services
• Financial awareness and confidence working within budgets
• A collaborative leadership style that develops and motivates others
• Emotional intelligence and clear communication
• A commitment to inclusion, safeguarding and high ethical standards

Experience within counselling, health, social care or the charity sector would be advantageous.

The Offer

• Salary: £40,504 – £47,957
• 37 hours per week
• Hybrid working, with time spent at TLC Group offices (various locations across England)
• The opportunity to lead a respected local service with strong group-level support

If you’re motivated by delivering excellent services, supporting talented people and making a tangible difference in your community, we’d love to hear from you.

Application Deadline: 13 March 2026
Interviews expected in Bristol on 20 and 23 March 2026

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy and numeracy levels amongst people in the criminal justice system?

We’ve made substantial progress in recent years, with improvements and expansions to our delivery model and significant growth in our staff team. In Spring 2026, we will launch our refreshed organisational strategy, which will shape our work over the next three years and beyond. To support this growth, we are recruiting for a full time Director of People to help provide strategic people leadership to our growing team of staff and volunteers.

In this pivotal leadership role, you will shape and deliver our People and Culture strategy, ensuring an inclusive, values‑driven and high‑performing environment for our people. You will lead organisation‑wide strategic workforce planning, oversee the full employee lifecycle, and champion initiatives that strengthen engagement, wellbeing and belonging. As a core member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will advise on all workforce matters, drive leadership development, and support our managers to build capability and confidence. You will ensure our HR, volunteering and people operations run smoothly and efficiently, modernising processes and maintaining compliance with employment law, safeguarding requirements and best practice. You will also provide strategic oversight of EDIB work, reward and recognition frameworks, and organisational risk, while leading a dedicated team covering HR, learning and development, and volunteering.

The role requires excellent communication and organisational skills, strong knowledge of employment law, the ability to coach and influence senior leaders, and the capacity to work autonomously while managing multiple priorities effectively. You must be IT literate, with a good working knowledge of the commonly used Microsoft business tools, and be able to work independently. The role calls for a hands-on, collaborative, people‑centred leader with strong emotional intelligence, an inclusive and values‑driven mindset, and the ability to think strategically while remaining performance‑focused and learner‑centred.

We want to hear from applicants who are as committed to the cause as we are.

This is a home-based role but may require occasional travel around the UK including overnight stays. This role is 5 days per week (35 hours) with working days/hours to be mutually agreed in line with business needs.

Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.

We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions.

Interviews, which will be held online, will take place on 31st March and 1st April 2026

Are you an ambitious part-time (3-days per week) Director of People & Culture ready to shape culture, capability and performance within a national organisation committed to rebuilding lives?

I am working with a brilliant charity founded over 50 years ago who are looking to recruit an exceptional part-time Director of People & Culture on an interim basis over the next 6-9 months. This is a rare opportunity to join the Strategic Leadership Team of a mission led organisation whose vision is to be a world class leader in rebuilding lives.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and accountable to the Board of Trustees, this pivotal executive role will lead the design and delivery of organisations People and Culture strategy.

This interim Director of People & Culture paying £650-£700 per day umbrella, will lead a multidisciplinary team of seven, along with deputising for the CEO when required.

Their London office is located in Wimbledon, where they offer hybrid working. The post holder will need to attend the office up to 2-days per week. The Director of People & Culture role does involve some travel to their other sites which are located on the South Coast, Midlands and the North East. All travel costs will be covered.

Some of the key responsibilities of this Director of People & Culture role include:

• Designing and delivering an ambitious, forward-thinking People & Culture strategy aligned to organisational growth.
• Leading workforce strategy across attraction, reward, wellbeing, engagement and retention.
• Embedding leadership development and succession planning to build long-term organisational capability.
• Overseeing complex employee relations, organisational change and TUPE activity to minimise risk.
• Developing meaningful people metrics and reporting to the Strategic Leadership Team and Board.
• Ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion are central to all people practices and culture initiatives

The ideal candidate will be a CIPD qualified senior People leader with significant strategic leadership experience. You will have a demonstrable track record of delivering ambitious people strategies, leading cultural transformation and managing complex employee relations and change programmes. Strong commercial acumen, outstanding stakeholder management skills and the ability to operate credibly at board level are essential. Experience within the social care or not-for-profit sector would be very advantageous.

My client is keen to move quickly with interviews held in person at their office on the 6th March 2026. The interview process will consist of a 1-stage interview, with the chosen candidate able to start at short notice.

If you are a visionary and values led Director of People & Culture ready to make an immediate impact, I would be delighted to speak with you in.

Title: Interim Director of People
Salary: £80,000 – £90,000 FTE
Contract length: 6 months
Location: London / Hybrid

We are supporting a well-established, values-led homelessness charity at an important stage in its development. Following a sustained period of growth and impact, the organisation is entering a period of evolution and is seeking an experienced Interim Director of People to provide steady, strategic leadership.

Reporting to the Chief Executive and working as part of the Senior Management Team, you will provide oversight and guidance across the People function. You will act as a trusted adviser, supporting senior leaders and teams with a calm, measured approach while helping the organisation navigate change and maintain momentum. You will also provide operational leadership where required, supporting the Head of People with complex matters, reporting, and day-to-day HR activity, while maintaining a clear strategic focus.

The successful candidate will bring:

• Substantial experience operating at Director of People / HR Director level, with both strategic and operational HR expertise
• Proven experience supporting organisations and senior teams through periods of change, providing guidance, reassurance, and leadership
• Credibility and judgement to advise CEO, Board and senior colleagues on complex and sensitive people matters
• A calm, measured and enabling leadership style, maintaining confidence and stability across teams
• Experience in sizeable, multi-site organisations with diverse teams, with CIPD qualification or equivalent senior-level experience

Closing date for applications: Monday 2nd March 2026
Interviews: W/C 9th March 2026
Start date: Mid-to-late March preferred

Applications should be submitted via CV only on the Prospectus website. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early application is encouraged. Candidates must be immediately available to start.

DIRECTOR FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

​​​​​​​Handcrafted seek their new Director for Young People.

• Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week and will consider part time/flexible hours
• Location: Based from one of the hubs in Gateshead or Durham with travel to other hubs 

Do you have significant experience at senior level working with vulnerable young people? 

Can you shape culture and strategy whilst carrying regulatory responsibility, strengthening systems, developing managers and representing our organisation externally?

Can you demonstrate the below?

• Strong strategic leadership skills with the ability to shape vision, drive improvement, and lead organisational development within young people’s services
• In-depth understanding of safeguarding, risk management, trauma-informed practice at senior level
• Strong communication skills and the ability to engage young people, teams and external partners

Do you have experience in the following? 

• Leading teams, supervising staff and developing professional practice
• Managing safeguarding concerns, coordinating multi agency responses and ensuring compliance
• Operational leadership within social care, education or supportive housing

You will also have the strong personal commitment to Christian ethos of Handcrafted through prayer, practical action and ways of working. 

Download the candidate pack for full details, responsibilities and person specification.

This role is subject to a DBS check, which will be carried out by the employer. 

If you feel you have relevant skills and experience, please submit your CV and supporting statement to Sandra Smith, via the Charisma Charity Recruitment website.

Key dates:

• Applications are being reviewed by Charisma on a rolling basis, so please apply without delay to avoid disappointment.
• Interviews with Handcrafted: TBC

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.

For 140 years, the Forces Employment Charity has proudly supported Service leavers, veterans, and their families in building successful civilian careers. We provide veterans with life-long, life-changing support, jobs, and training opportunities, regardless of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.

By working for FEC, you will become part of a vibrant team living the charity’s values: Expert, Supportive, Passionate, Open and Honest, Resilient, and Collaborative.

Brief role description ​

The People and Systems Administrator provides comprehensive administrative support to the People Team, with responsibility for recruitment and onboarding of new employees, maintaining accurate employee records, coordinating benefits, and acting as the first point of contact for employee queries. The role holds ownership of HR administration, including the production of HR paperwork, and serves as the day-to-day generalist HR contact for all employees on behalf of the team.​

​In addition, the People and Systems Administrator plays a key role in supporting the implementation of the Charity’s HR strategy and associated projects, providing robust support to the Head of People and the People Team Advisor and wider stakeholders across the organisation. The role requires compliance at all times with company policies, procedures, and prevailing UK employment legislation.​

​The role requires a high level of IT competence and confidence in working with HR systems and digital tools, ensuring data accuracy, efficiency, and continuous improvement of people processes. A proactive approach is essential to success in the role, with the postholder expected to anticipate issues, identify opportunities for improvement, and take initiative in managing workloads and supporting the People Team.​

​There is scope for the role to develop over time, depending on the individual’s motivation, capability, and appetite to take on additional responsibility.

Some of your responsibilities as a People and Systems Administrator will include:

• Supporting recruitment activities, including candidate sourcing, coordinating interviews, and assisting with CV and application screening

• Managing onboarding processes and preparing accurate HR documentation for new starters and existing employees

• Maintaining employee records and HR systems, ensuring information is accurate, up to date, and handled confidentially

• Acting as a first point of contact for employee queries, providing clear and professional responses or signposting as needed

• Supporting the People Team with day-to-day administration, reporting, and the preparation of presentations and documents

• Using HR systems and Microsoft tools to support people processes and contribute to the smooth running of the People function

• Identifying issues or improvements in processes and raising them with the People Team where appropriate

We are looking for someone who has:

• A proactive and self-motivated approach, with the ability to work independently as well as part of a team

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at Grade C or above

• At least 3 years’ experience in a relevant role

• CIPD Level 3, or a willingness to work towards it.

Interested? Want to know more about the Charity? Check our website.

Eager to know more about the role? Have a look at the Job Description.

What’s in it for you? Check out our Benefits on our website.

Have we convinced you to apply? If so, submit your CV and Covering Letter by Friday, 6 March 2026.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert; therefore, we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. 

If you are an internal applicant, please ensure you have made The People Team aware before applying. 

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff by fostering an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone, including those with disabilities, can thrive, develop, and achieve their full potential. We actively encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and ensure reasonable adjustments are made to support candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. 

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process.

#LI-DNI

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.