The Head of HR will play a pivotal role in implementing and enabling the HR strategy for a rapidly growing technology company. This senior leadership position and will be responsible for driving the people strategy across a multi-site, pan European company. The role will involve overseeing the integration of HR processes post-mergers and acquisitions, fostering a high-performance culture, and embedding the company’s values in both existing and newly acquired businesses.

Job Description: Head of HR
Location: South Manchester
Salary: c. £70,000 - £75,000 plus  benefits 
Job Type: Full-Time

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of the annual HR strategy in alignment with the overall business objectives.
• Provide strategic direction and operational leadership across People Operations, Talent Acquisition, and Leadership Development functions.
• Work closely with the CEO and COO to ensure the HR strategy supports the business's rapid growth and changing needs.
• Drive the continuous improvement of HR processes, ensuring they align with the company’s long-term strategic vision.
• Oversee the embedding of the company’s core values, culture, and behaviours across all regions, particularly in newly integrated companies.
• Lead the talent acquisition strategy and ensure a strong pipeline of future talent, including managing senior leadership recruitment processes.
• Develop and implement compensation and reward strategies that attract, retain, and motivate top talent.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and influence decision-making on key HR and people-related issues.
• Champion change initiatives, ensuring successful implementation across all business units.
• Oversee HR operations across multiple European sites (UK, France, Germany) ensuring compliance with local labour laws and best practices.
• Manage the HR budget and monitor staffing costs to ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Implement HR technology solutions that streamline operations and enhance data-driven decision-making.
• Lead and manage mergers and acquisitions (M&A) from a people and culture perspective, ensuring smooth integration processes.
• Act as a key stakeholder in the company’s sustainability and corporate responsibility initiatives.

Key Deliverables:

• Successful alignment of HR strategy with business goals, driving growth and efficiency.
• Integration of HR processes across newly acquired businesses, ensuring cultural and operational alignment.
• Strong talent acquisition pipelines, particularly for senior roles, in alignment with future business needs.
• Development and implementation of compensation and reward structures that align with the company’s growth strategy.
• Positive employee engagement metrics, driven by effective performance management, learning and development initiatives, and a high-performance culture.
• Seamless execution of M&A-related HR activities, ensuring smooth transitions and integration.
• Robust HR data reporting and insights that inform strategic decision-making at the executive level.

Measures of Success:

• Delivery of HR strategy on time and within budget.
• Successful execution of talent acquisition and retention strategies, as evidenced by reduced turnover and strong talent pipelines.
• Positive feedback from senior leadership and CEO on the effectiveness of HR programs.
• Clear progress on cultural integration in newly acquired businesses.
• Achievement of set OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), with a focus on key HR outcomes such as employee engagement, performance, and growth.
• Successful completion of M&A integrations with minimal disruption to operations.
• Effective use of HR technology to improve operational efficiency and reporting.

Person Specification:

Skills:

• Strong strategic thinker with the ability to align HR initiatives with business goals.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, capable of leading cross-functional teams.
• High level of commercial acumen, with the ability to act as a business partner to senior leadership.
• Data-driven approach to decision-making, with strong knowledge of HR technology and analytics.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, able to build relationships and influence at all levels.
• Change management expertise, with a track record of leading successful organisational transformations.

Experience:

• A capable and CIPD qualified HR leader.
• Demonstrable experience in a senior HR leadership role, gained within a multinational or private equity-backed environment.
• Proven experience in leading HR functions through rapid business growth, including the integration of HR processes following M&As.
• In-depth knowledge of European HR practices, including compliance with labour laws and regulations.
• Demonstrated experience in executive recruitment, talent management, and succession planning.
• Extensive experience in the design and implementation of compensation and reward strategies.

Competencies:

• Strong leadership capabilities with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.
• Highly adaptable, able to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
• Ability to act tactically while thinking strategically, with a focus on operational efficiency.
• Commercially focused with a deep understanding of how HR can drive business success.
• Collaborative and team-oriented, with a willingness to be coached and developed by senior leadership.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to make bold, strategic decisions when necessary.

Lily Shippen is a leading business and executive support recruitment agency in the UK. We recruit top-tier talent across HR, executive support, and business operations roles, ensuring organisations can access the expertise needed to thrive.

We recruit for a broad range of positions, including Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, Office Managers, Chief of Staff, and HR roles. Our services span across Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, London, and the wider UK, including remote and international roles. Whether you’re hiring for permanent, temporary, or fixed-term contracts, we offer tailored recruitment solutions to meet your needs.