Group Head of HR

Group Head of HR – Multi-Brand Hospitality & Retail Group A fast-growing hospitality and retail group is looking for a Group Head of HR to build and lead a modern people function across its diverse portfolio of brands. This organisation spans restaurants, street-food concepts, beauty and cosmetics retail, nail and spa salons, and a specialist design & construction arm. With more than 450 employees and multiple new sites opening every year, the company is now entering a phase of structured, sustainable growth. This is a chance to join a founder-led business with big ambitions, where people, culture, and operations genuinely matter. The Opportunity The Group Head of HR will take full ownership of building an in-house HR function from the ground up. The business currently uses external providers and admin support; now it’s ready for a dedicated leader who can create consistency, support managers, and introduce HR systems that scale. You’ll work closely with the senior leadership team on everything from organisational design and compliance to talent strategy, culture, and engagement. The role is a blend of strategic thinking and hands-on delivery, ideal for someone who enjoys shaping structure in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments. What You’ll Lead Strategic Leadership Develop and deliver a people strategy that supports the group’s growth plans. Partner with senior leaders to design effective organisational structures. Build a culture centred on collaboration, performance, and development. HR Operations & Compliance Oversee HR operations for ~450 employees across restaurants, retail, spas, and construction. Ensure full compliance with UK employment law, right-to-work, GDPR, and H&S. Standardise policies, contracts, and HR processes across all brands. Lead the transition from outsourced HR to internal, scalable systems. Talent, Training & Engagement Build recruitment processes suited to multi-site, high-volume operations. Improve hiring quality and consistency across all divisions. Develop onboarding, training, and leadership development frameworks. Drive retention through better communication, clarity, and engagement. Performance, Reward & Development Create performance review cycles and progression pathways. Assess salary, benefits, and bonus structures across the group. Support succession planning and leadership capability building. Stakeholder Partnership Act as a trusted advisor to the Group COO and leadership team. Work closely with brand managers and operational leaders. Support scalable HR processes for new store openings and franchise partners. What You’ll Bring 7–10+ years of HR experience in multi-site hospitality, retail, or QSR environments. Experience building or transforming HR functions in founder-led or entrepreneurial businesses. Strong understanding of UK employment law, ER, and compliance. Confident leading both strategic planning and hands-on implementation. Credibility with senior leaders and empathy with frontline teams. Organised, proactive, and commercially minded. Comfortable working across diverse cultures and business types. What Success Looks Like A fully functioning, in-house HR department. Group-wide consistency in contracts, policies, and compliance. Improved recruitment and retention across all brands. Scalable people process that support ambitious store and brand growth. HR recognised as a true strategic partner across the organisation. What’s on Offer Salary: £70,000–£85,000 depending on experience Bonus: Performance-based Benefits: Group-wide staff discounts, hybrid working, development opportunities Progression: Clear path to Group People Director / Chief People Officer as the Group grows