Group HR Director

New Today

Fresh People are supporting a privately owned group of businesses on the appointment of a Group HR Director. This is a board-level role, responsible for defining and delivering the Group-wide People & Culture strategy across a portfolio of circa 10 operating companies. This position has evolved significantly and is intentionally strategic in nature, with a clear focus on leadership development, organisational effectiveness, succession planning, and culture. Day-to-day HR operations, compliance, and employee relations are managed locally by established Heads of HR. This role is suited to a senior HR leader who thrives at board level and is motivated by building long-term people capability rather than operational delivery. Key Accountabilities

Board-Level & Strategic Leadership

Sit as a full member of the Board, contributing to group strategy and long-term planning.

Define and deliver a Group People & Culture strategy aligned to business objectives and growth plans.

Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board on organisational design, leadership capability, and workforce planning.

Provide insight, challenge, and governance on people-related risk and opportunity at group level.

Leadership Development & Talent Strategy

Design and embed a Group-wide leadership and management development framework.

Lead succession planning and talent pipeline development for senior and critical roles.

Champion consistent leadership behaviours and management standards across the group.

Sponsor executive coaching, mentoring, and leadership development initiatives.

Organisational Development & Culture

Lead organisational development initiatives to improve structure, capability, and effectiveness.

Drive culture, engagement, and values-led initiatives across multiple operating companies.

Support transformation, growth, and change programmes, including the integration of new businesses.

Act as sponsor for diversity, inclusion, wellbeing, and engagement strategies at group level.

Group HR Governance & Oversight

Set the framework for HR governance, policies, and people standards across the group.

Provide strategic oversight of employee relations, compliance, and HR operations via Heads of HR.

Ensure consistency in performance management, reward philosophy, and talent processes.

Review people metrics and insights to support board-level decision-making.

Developing the HR Leadership Community

Lead, coach, and develop the senior HR leadership team across the group.

Build a strong, commercially focused HR leadership community.

Ensure clear accountability between group strategy and local HR delivery.

Skills & Experience Required

Essential

Proven experience operating at Group HR Director / HR Director / People Director level within a multi-business or group structure.

Demonstrable board-level experience with the ability to influence and challenge at executive level.

Strong background in leadership development, organisational development, and talent strategy.

Experience overseeing HR across multiple sites, divisions, or companies.

Commercially astute with the ability to align people strategy to business performance.

CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent) or demonstrable senior HR expertise.

Desirable

Experience within operational, infrastructure, environmental services, logistics, manufacturing, or similar sectors.

Exposure to M&A, business integration, or growth environments.

Experience designing group-wide leadership or culture frameworks.

What Success Looks Like

A clearly articulated and embedded Group People Strategy aligned to board objectives.

Strong leadership pipelines and succession plans across the group.

Empowered Heads of HR delivering consistent operational excellence.

Measurable uplift in leadership capability, engagement, and performance.

Candidates with the relevant senior HR leadership experience who wish to be considered are invited to apply in confidence or contact Fresh People directly for a confidential discussion.

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Location:: United Kingdom
Job Type:: FullTime
Category:: Human Resources