Head Of People Services

TL;DR

Head of People Services (HR/People Operations): Leading the People Services function to deliver an ambitious People Strategy with an accent on organizational growth, reward frameworks, and culture building. Focus on managing complex employee relations, shaping leadership capability, and ensuring regulatory compliance within a fast-paced awarding organization.

Location: Must be based in the UK, hybrid model requiring two days a week in the office (Sale, Manchester).

Salary: Circa £70,000

Company

hirify.global, part of the AQA Group, is a rapidly growing Awarding and Apprenticeship Assessment Organisation dedicated to advancing education through high-quality qualifications.

What you will do

• Lead the operational delivery of the People Strategy, overseeing HR, recruitment, L&D, and health & safety functions.
• Direct the recruitment and onboarding strategy to attract and retain top talent during a phase of significant organizational growth.
• Develop and implement a progressive reward and recognition strategy, including salary benchmarking and benefit enhancements.
• Manage complex employee relations and performance development frameworks to foster a high-performance culture.
• Provide strategic HR insights and management information to the Leadership and Executive teams.
• Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives across the organization.

Requirements

• Proven senior HR leadership experience, preferably within a regulated or complex sector.
• Deep knowledge of UK employment law and ability to apply it pragmatically.
• Strong ability to build trust and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Significant experience in leading teams through organizational change and fostering collaborative cultures.
• Advanced project management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities.
• CIPD Level 7 qualification or working towards it is highly preferred.

Nice to have

• Deep understanding of the vocational education landscape and current sector reforms.
• Experience with reward strategy design and implementation.

Culture & Benefits

• Competitive salary with an annual loyalty bonus.
• Comprehensive leave package: 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, plus long-service awards and a birthday day off.
• Strong insurance package including BUPA Private Medical, Cash Plan, Life Insurance, and Income Protection.
• Participation in the NEST pension scheme.
• Commitment to a culture of continuous learning, professional development, and inclusivity.