Head of Human Resources and Facilites

Job Description

Job Title: Head of Human Resources and Facilities

Responsible to:
Director of Finance, Data & Resources

Location:
Hybrid

Contract:
Permanent

Hours:
35 hours per week

Salary:
£57,000 per annum plus £312 Home Worker Allowance per annum

Main Purpose of Job

As the
Head of HR & People
, you will play a strategic leadership role in managing all aspects of human resources and facilities management across Sands. You will drive the development and execution of Sands' people strategy, ensuring a supportive, inclusive, and high-performing working environment. You will oversee HR operations, policies, recruitment, staff development, employee relations, and health & safety, ensuring alignment with Sands' core values and strategic objectives.

Your leadership will foster a culture of respect, development, and innovation, enabling Sands to attract, retain, and develop a highly skilled workforce, whilst continuously improving HR service delivery.

Principle Tasks and Responsibilities

Human Resources Management

• Lead the HR function, ensuring alignment with Sands' strategic goals and values, and effectively managing HR administration and support across the organisation.
• Provide expert HR advisory services to both staff and management, ensuring consistent application of Sands' policies and legal compliance.
• Oversee the full HR lifecycle, from recruitment to exit, ensuring the highest standards of confidentiality, data protection, and compliance.
• Develop, implement, and monitor HR policies and procedures, ensuring they remain relevant, fair, and in line with current employment law and best practices.
• Collaborate with external HR consultants and employment law advisors to review and update policies as needed.
• Drive the continuous improvement of HR systems and practices, including the HR database, absence management, and payroll processes.

Recruitment and Retention:

• Lead the recruitment process, working closely with managers to ensure timely and efficient hiring while maintaining Sands' commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Develop strategies for attracting and retaining top talent, ensuring a seamless recruitment experience and compliance with all legislative requirements.
• Oversee the pre-employment checking process and the successful integration of new hires, including induction programs and probation reviews.
• Manage the administrative processes for employee departures, including conducting exit interviews to gather feedback and enhance retention strategies.

Employment Relations:

• Provide expert and strategic advice to support Heads of Department in managing grievance, disciplinary, sickness, and capability investigations and hearings.
• Coach and mentor line managers on effectively handling complex staffing and employee relations issues.
• Lead and facilitate formal communication and consultation processes with staff and their representatives, ensuring appropriate engagement and participation of managers and employees.

Staff Development and Training:

• Advise and support line managers in the delivery of effective staff performance reviews.
• Identify training and development needs emerging from PDRs, one-to-one meetings, and other feedback mechanisms, ensuring appropriate learning opportunities are commissioned and delivered in line with organisational policies.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and professional growth across the organisation.

Employee Rewards and Benefits

• Oversee the administration of staff benefits, including the Employee Assistance Programme, liaising with external providers to ensure smooth implementation and ongoing management.
• Ensure the staff pension scheme remains fully compliant with employment legislation, including requirements for automatic enrolment.
• Review and recommend enhancements to the organisation's reward and recognition initiatives to support staff engagement and retention.

Facilities, Health and Safety Management

• Manage Health and Safety budgets, providing regular reports to the Finance team as required.
• Advise managers on Health and Safety issues, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and the development of robust H&S policies and procedures.
• Ensure appropriate Health and Safety training is delivered and maintained across the organisation.
• Monitor, follow up, and report Health and Safety issues, ensuring timely resolution with relevant personnel.
• Oversee the management and maintenance of leased premises to ensure compliance with Health and Safety standards.
• Support the negotiation and management of property leases in line with organisational needs.

Line Management

• Provide effective line management to the HR staff, including setting objectives, monitoring performance, and supporting professional development.
• Foster a positive, collaborative working environment that encourages growth, accountability, and excellence.

General

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role, as required by the Director of Finance, Data & Resources, Chief Executive, or Board of Trustees.
• Work flexibly and collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to achieve shared goals.
• Maintain strict confidentiality at all times.
• Adhere to all Sands policies and procedures.
• Undertake all mandatory training as required.
• Participate actively in annual appraisals and personal development reviews.
• Maintain up-to-date awareness of Health and Safety responsibilities relevant to self, department, and the wider organisation.
• Actively promote and embody the vision, mission, and values of Sands.

Commitment to Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI)

Sands is committed to promoting a culture of equality, equity, diversity and inclusion across all areas of its work. The Head of HR will play a leading role in embedding EEDI principles within our people policies, practices, and culture. This includes ensuring fair and inclusive recruitment, supporting the development of an equitable workplace, and championing initiatives that value the diversity of our staff, volunteers, and the families we support. The post holder will be expected to model inclusive behaviours, challenge bias, and drive continuous improvement in EEDI outcomes across the organisation.

This job description is not contractual and may be amended from time to time to reflect the changing needs of the organisation.

Person Specification

Essential

CIPD qualification at Level 7 (MCIPD) or equivalent

Application and Interview

Essential

Significant experience of working in a Head of HR / People role

Application and Interview

Essential

Proven track record of developing and delivering HR strategies, policies, and reports aligned with organisational objectives

Application and Interview

Essential

Experience in organisational development, staff learning and training design, and delivery

Application and Interview

Essential

Demonstrated experience of introducing and embedding Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI) initiatives

Application and Interview

Essential

Experience in HR policy development, implementation, and review

Application and Interview

Essential

In-depth knowledge of UK employment law and its practical application

Application and Interview

Essential

Experience of managing complex employee relations cases including grievance, disciplinary, and capability matters

Application and Interview

Essential

Significant experience of leading organisation-wide change management and transformation projects

Application and Interview

Essential

Experience in developing and implementing reward and recognition initiatives

Application and Interview

Essential

Experience of introducing and promoting staff health and wellbeing programmes

Application and Interview

Essential

Strong working knowledge of HR Information Systems (HRIS), ideally Sage HR or equivalent platform

Application and Interview

Essential

Experience of managing departmental budgets and reporting on financial performance

Application and Interview

Essential

Proven experience of leading, motivating, and developing a team of HR professionals

Application and Interview

Essential

Excellent influencing and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels of the organisation

Application and Interview

Essential

Ability to build and maintain effective relationships across departments and with external stakeholders

Application and Interview

Essential

Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in all aspects of work

Application and Interview

Essential

Ability to manage a demanding workload, prioritise effectively, and meet tight deadlines

Application and Interview

Essential

Excellent organisational and time management skills

Application and Interview

Essential

Sound knowledge of data protection and GDPR legislation as it relates to HR practice

Application and Interview

Essential

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a pragmatic approach to complex issues

Application and Interview

Essential

Confident, assertive, and able to make sound judgements and decisions when required

Application and Interview

Desirable

Experience of, or an interest in, facilities management

Application and Interview

Desirable

Understanding of maternity, neonatal, and healthcare policy and practice across the UK

Application and Interview

Desirable

Empathy with Sands' vision, mission, and values

Application and Interview