Salary: C £50,000

Location: Leeds – Hybrid

Vacancy Type: 6 months Fixed Term Contract

The Role

Reporting into the People Director, you will be responsible for leading the HR team and ensuring the effective implementation of the people strategy. You will work in close partnership with the People Director to ensure compliance, execute strategic initiatives through hands‑on HR skills, and manage the development of HR information systems (HRIS), policies, and processes that support the growth and success of both employees and managers.

• Supervise a dedicated HR team ensuring their effective performance, growth, and well‑being.
• Implement the People Strategy through actionable operational plans that align daily functions with the long‑term objectives of the organization.
• Take charge of the project development, implementation, and continuous enhancement of the organisation's HRIS.
• Direct the development, review, and execution of HR policies, ensuring alignment with best practices and legal requirements while engaging stakeholders for ongoing improvement.
• Keeping up to date with new policy developments, implementing and communicating accordingly.
• Develop and implement workforce data and insights to drive improved and proactive decision making; identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Prepare regular HR reports for presentation to senior leadership.
• Partner with managers in key client areas, offering expert guidance on escalated employee relations, performance evaluations, absence management, and organisational restructuring.
• Spearhead the practical implementation of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives.
• Proactively identify, enhance and implement, with the support of the HR Director, HR compliance and controls, mitigating risk.
• Ensure collaboration with finance departments to ensure smooth and effective payroll operations.
• Support initiatives for organisational change, including workforce planning, leadership development, succession, restructuring, and cultural development programmes.
• Contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, ensuring inclusive practices are woven into HR policies and procedures.
• Enhance employee experience, fostering high levels of engagement, well‑being, and retention.
• Support initiatives for learning and development, ensuring continuous professional growth opportunities are available.
• Improve service provision and delivery to stakeholder groups across the organisation, creating data insights to support decisions in collaboration with the Director of People.
• Engage with stakeholders at all levels of the business, including their recognised Trade Union partners, defining proposals and presentations and leading meetings.

Skills And Qualifications

• Extensive experience or working as a senior HR professional, ideally gained in a complex unionised SME business.
• Strong experience of managing end‑to‑end HRIS projects and system implementation.
• Experience of working within a complex and ambiguous business environment.
• Strong people leader who will manage their team effectively, a great team player who delivers results through working collaboratively.
• Pragmatist and shows political awareness, diplomacy and discretion.
• A strong influencer and can work closely with senior stakeholders reconciling different views in sensitive areas.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for this reputable company, please do not hesitate to apply.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Contract

Job function

Human Resources

Industries

Human Resources Services