HR Director

Directorate: Corporate Services 

Contract type/Duration: Permanent  (9 day fortnight - every other Friday off)

Team: Human Resources 

Direct Reports: Yes 

Band: 5.2

Salary: £98,400 - £105,500 (depending on proven ability)

Reports to: CFO 

Location: London or Milton Keynes (minimum of two days a week in the office. You can do more than two days if preferable)

Closing date: 11/12/24

The role of the Human Resources Director is to ensure the HR effectiveness of Connected Places Catapult by developing and implementing the people plan in collaboration with the senior leadership team. This role will lead the HR Team and be responsible for ensuring that CPC has efficient and effective systems, processes and policies that enable transformation. It will lead to the ongoing training, guiding and mentoring of our people leaders to ensure we continue to attract, develop and retain talent. 

The role of the Human Resources Director is to ensure the effectiveness of human resources policies, processes and systems that drive operational and organisational efficiency to achieve Connected Places Catapult's strategy, business plan and budget. 

You will be responsible for developing and implementing the long-term Human Resources plan to support the Catapult's Business and Strategic Unit leaders to attract, develop and lead a team of highly engaged colleagues whilst ensuring compliance to relevant legislation and best practice. 

Connected Places Catapult is in a period of transformation which includes changes to how the Human Resources team provides support, mentoring and guidance. The initial focus for the role will therefore be on implementing and embedding these changes, both within the Human Resources team and culturally across the business. 

Key Responsibilities 

Responsible for the end-to-end delivery of the Human Resources plan and associated budget including: 

• Developing and operationalising the plan, ensuring that it is aligned to the Catapult's strategy, managing change as required, and implementing appropriate reporting and governance to ensure accountability for deliverables.  

• Provision of proactive leadership on people related matters, providing HR advice to senior leaders, and contributing to the wider leadership of CPC. 

• Working closely with leaders and managers to ensure that they have the required tools and knowledge to successfully manage their people, to plan resources to deliver their respective plans and support the attraction and retention of talent. 

• Overall responsibility for the provision of Human Resources metrics, information, reporting, and advice to the Leadership team. identifying trends in productivity and performance. Identify solutions and provide Managers with tools to ensure growth. 

• Collaborate with other teams within corporate services to provide budget monitoring, advice and support to leaders within the business. 

• Developing and operationalizing the annual HR plan and ensuring it is aligned to the business strategy, managing change as required, and implementing appropriate reporting and governance to ensure accountability for deliverables. Maintaining strategic planning for work force plan, talent attraction and retention in collaboration for each Business Unit. 

• Maintain, and ensure compliance with a robust framework, associated processes and controls to: 

• Allow the Catapult to be able to identify, mitigate and manage organisational risks and issues related to human resources. 

• Enforce compliance with legal obligations, contracts and policies. 

• Assess the impact of business decisions relating to people and advising leaders as required. 

• Development and inspiring leadership of a happy and highly engaged team focused on: 

• Talent Acquisition. 

• HR Operations. 

• Learning and Development and OD ensuring efficient HR delivery to all Managers and employees. 

• Managing the annual budget for the human resources department and ensuring that the Company uses it efficiently and within budgetary restrictions. 

Working with peers to: 

• Foster a collaborative culture of cross-team working. 

• Ensure a culture of equity, inclusivity and diversity with open, transparent communication and practices that promotes inclusive innovation across all of the Catapult’s activities. 

• Develop and encourage good knowledge management and learning across the organisation. 

• You may be required to undertake any other reasonable duties to support the Catapult in achieving its strategic outcomes and ensure effective business operations.  

• Degree qualified in a related discipline or applied knowledge and experience of operating at a senior level with the Human Resources field. 

• Professionally qualified via CIPD. 

• Strong HR leadership experience, including significant change management and Organisational Development expertise, with the capability to align people and organisations to deliver on organisational priorities. 

• Strong communications skills, including the ability to listen to the needs of others. 

• Proven experience to develop strategy, communicate it effectively and lead the team to deliver it. 

• In-depth knowledge of employment law and HR practices. 

• Strong commercial and financial acumen. 

• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to multitask. 

• A proven approach to championing and embedding diversity, equalities and inclusion across teams. 

• A team player, with demonstrable experience of representing the best interests of the Team alongside taking collective responsibility for the success of the organisation more widely. 

• 9 day fortnight for everyone, we have a full company shutdown every other Friday.
• 23.5 holiday entitlement for everyone, with pro-rata calculations for part-time employees, along with a Christmas shutdown period for additional days off.
• Competitive pension, up to 10% company contribution to help you save for your future.
• Two paid days of volunteering leave per year (pro-rata for part-time employees) to support charitable activities.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing 24/7 confidential work/life support services to you and your immediate family members.
• Cycle to Work Scheme with bike racks and showers available, encouraging a healthy and sustainable commute.
• Cash Health Plan, offering reimbursement for a wide range of essential and everyday healthcare expenses, promoting your well-being.
• Payroll Giving scheme, allowing regular charitable contributions from pre-tax income, maximizing the impact of your donations.
• Discounts and offers from a wide variety of retailers, enhancing your purchasing power and providing savings opportunities.
• Mortgage Advice benefit, delivered in partnership with Charles Cameron & Associates – provides employees with free, expert mortgage advice and end-to-end mortgage support from the application process through to completion.

Employment here is based solely upon individual merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, religion, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by law. We also make all reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under laws protecting the rights of the disabled.