Head of People - Maternity Cover

Job Description

Job description:

A high number of candidates may make applications for this position, so make sure to send your CV and application through as soon as possible.\n

Our client is an innovative technology company helping regulated organisations navigate artificial intelligence, digital assets and privacy-focused infrastructure.

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They are seeking an experienced Head of People to lead their HR and recruitment function during a period of maternity leave. This fixed-term contract includes an overlap at the beginning and end to support a thorough handover.

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Reporting directly to the CEO, you will own the people strategy, oversee the full employee lifecycle and manage two team members responsible for day-to-day HR and recruitment.

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This is primarily a leadership and oversight role, but you will remain close to operational delivery and provide hands-on support during busy periods.

Key responsibilities\n

People and HR

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• Lead the companys people strategy and employee experience.
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• Oversee performance reviews, regular one-to-ones and employee surveys.
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• Assess retention risks and support employee engagement.
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• Manage employee relations, including grievances, disciplinaries and conflict resolution.
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• Oversee compensation, benefits and salary-review processes.
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• Maintain HR policies, the employee handbook and employment-law compliance across international markets.
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• Support training, development, coaching and employee wellbeing.
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• Manage onboarding, offboarding, absence, leave and family-leave processes.
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• Oversee employment contracts, references, right-to-work checks and HR records.
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• Provide people metrics and reports to senior leadership.
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• Conduct exit interviews and ensure appropriate follow-up actions.
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Recruitment

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• Oversee the complete in-house recruitment lifecycle.
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• Partner with hiring managers to define role requirements.
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• Manage candidate experience, offers and recruitment pipelines.
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• Oversee the applicant tracking system and recruitment reporting.
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• Manage relationships with external recruitment agencies.
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• Write and refine job descriptions and role scopes.
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• Develop recruitment marketing and employer-branding activity.
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• Support CV reviews, interview coordination and HR interviews during peak hiring periods.
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• Monitor recruitment metrics, including time-to-hire.
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Leadership

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• Line-manage and develop two HR and recruitment team members.
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• Act as the senior escalation point for people-related matters.
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• Work closely and confidentially with the CEO.
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• Balance strategic leadership with hands-on support when required.
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Essential experience\n

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• Proven experience leading an HR or People function as a Head of People, HR Manager or similar.
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• Strong knowledge of the full employee lifecycle and HR best practice.
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• Experience supporting employment matters across multiple jurisdictions.
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• Understanding of Employer of Record arrangements.
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• Strong recruitment experience, including hiring-manager engagement, interviewing and agency management.
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• Previous line-management experience.
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• Confidence handling sensitive employee-relations matters.
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• Strong interpersonal, communication and stakeholder-management skills.
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• Ability to work autonomously and become effective quickly.
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• Comfortable adopting new technology, including AI-enabled tools.
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• Availability for the full contract from early September 2026 to mid-May 2027.
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• Full UK right to work without sponsorship.
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Desirable experience\n

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• Managing international or distributed teams.
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• Working with Employers of Record.
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• Recruitment marketing and employer branding.
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• Experience in a fast-paced technology, software, startup or scale-up environment.
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• Knowledge of or interest in artificial intelligence, blockchain or digital assets.
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Qualifications:

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• Proven experience leading an HR or People function as a Head of People, HR Manager or similar.
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• Strong knowledge of the full employee lifecycle and HR best practice. xohmjla
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• Experience supporting employment matters across multiple jurisdictions.
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Why is This a Great Opportunity:

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• 1000 Annual Allowance for Training (up to 50% of this value can be used for you to buy workstation equipment to work from home)
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• 5 days/per year for Training
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• In-person fun team events/team buildings every 3 months
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• Company equipment and Onboarding kit
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• Annual Bonus (dependant on company and personal performance)
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• Stock Option Plan
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• Birthday Off
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• Amazing referral programme
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Salary Type : Per day

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Salary Min : £ 400

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Salary Max : £ 450

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Currency Type : GBP