Head of Human Resources in England

Job description

Head of Human Resources

Do you have a track record of leading large-scale HR operations, engaging blue-collar and frontline teams, and influencing senior leaders to drive meaningful change?

Are you confident delivering transformation in fast-paced, multi-site environments — balancing commercial imperatives with a strong commitment to culture, engagement, and values-led leadership?

Have you shaped people strategies that not only deliver business performance but also strengthen trust and belonging across diverse workforces?

MacGregor Black is proud to partner with a major UK employer, a multi-site, operationally complex and people-driven organisation in the search for a Head of HR. This is a critical leadership role within the HR function, responsible for driving a consistent, commercially aligned, and people-centred approach to business partnering.

As Head of HR, you’ll lead and develop a team of HR Business Partners supporting large-scale, blue-collar and operational divisions across the UK.

You’ll act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, ensuring HR is positioned as both a strategic enabler and a hands-on operational partner. Your leadership will help shape a culture of accountability, engagement, and performance — from boardroom to shop floor.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop the HR team to deliver high-impact, consistent support across all operational sites.
• Partner with executive and operational leadership to design and deliver people strategies that drive productivity, engagement, and sustainable growth.
• Act as a strategic advisor on organisational design, workforce planning, succession, and capability development.
• Champion employee engagement across a large blue-collar workforce, embedding a culture of inclusion, safety, and values-led leadership.
• Provide expert guidance on complex ER issues, union engagement, and collective consultation, ensuring compliance and pragmatic risk management.
• Lead and support large-scale change initiatives — including restructures, TUPE, and transformation programmes — ensuring people experience and communication remain front and centre.
• Leverage HR data and analytics to track impact, identify trends, and inform business decisions.
• Coach, mentor and empower HR Business Partners and regional HR teams to build confidence, capability, and consistency across the function.
• Drive continuous improvement in HR processes and policies, aligning operational excellence with strategic objectives.

What We're Looking For:

• Significant experience in a senior HR leadership or business partnering role within a large-scale, multi-site, blue-collar environment (e.g. Logistics, manufacturing, distribution, or services).
• Proven ability to partner with operational and executive teams to deliver measurable, commercially focused HR outcomes.
• Strong understanding of UK employment law, employee relations, and unionised environments.
• Demonstrated success in leading major change programmes (restructures, TUPE, transformation).
• Strategic, analytical and data-driven — able to balance insight with pragmatism.
• Inspirational leader with the ability to develop high-performing HR teams and influence at all levels.
• Resilient, values-driven and committed to creating workplaces where people thrive and businesses succeed.

For more information, contact Alice Redmond today.

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

England

Type of Contract

Part-time jobs

Published at

01-11-2025

Profession type

Human Resources

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English