Head of Talent

At AXA UK, we're seeking a strategic leader to drive the development and execution of a skills-centric talent management approach that sits at the heart of our broader talent strategy. You'll partner with Talent Management, Learning and Development, Talent Acquisition and Business Capability leads, to design, govern, and embed skills frameworks, taxonomy, and enabling technology that bolster workforce agility and future readiness, aligned with our strategic business objectives.

At AXA we work smart, empowering our people to balance their time between home and the office in a way that works best for them, their team and our customers. You'll work at least two days a week (40%) away from home, moving to three days a week (60%) in the future. Away from home means either attendance at one of our office locations, visiting clients or attending industry events. We’re also happy to consider flexible working arrangements, which you can discuss with Talent Acquisition.

**What you’ll be doing**:

- Lead the formulation and execution of a comprehensive skills management strategy aligned with the overall talent management framework, focusing on building critical capabilities for current and future success.
- Build and govern a skills taxonomy / framework that defines critical capabilities for current and future business success. Transforming from existing Job Architecture approach to a skills based model that supports workforce agility.
- Support strategic workforce planning by analysing trends, identifying skills gaps, and forecasting future skills in partnership with the business leaders and Talent management teams (L&D, TA).
- Influence senior leaders and key stakeholders to adopt a skills based mindset, driving cultural change and supporting the adoption of skills management practices across the business.
- Enable HR and People Partners with the tools and knowledge needed to implement skills initiatives and stay current with industry best practices to continuously improve the skills strategy.
- Lead the transformation of technology platforms (e.g., Workday, L&D systems, TA tools) to support skills data collection, analysis, and reporting, maximizing platform functionality to embed skills management into daily HR practices.
- Leverage Data and Insights to inform decisions on talent acquisition, development and deployment.
- Embed the use of metrics to measure the impact of skills-based initiatives. Identify trends and provide insights and recommendations to stakeholders for continuous improvement in skill acquisition and development.
- Provide thought leadership on skills strategy, integrating external thinking and best practices into the organization’s approach.
- Stay informed on industry trends and best practices in talent and skills management, implementing improvements as necessary to maintain a competitive edge.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning, encouraging employees to acquire new skills and coaching senior leaders to support cultural enhancements aligned with strategic priorities.
- Build close relationships with Talent Acquisition, L&D, Reward and Strategic Business Partners to leverage their expertise in delivering the skills strategy.
- Work with L&D & TA to drive upskilling and Reskilling programs through identification of skill gaps, designing strategies that future proof the workforce.
- Manage the budget for talent and skills transformation initiatives, ensuring efficient resource allocation and maximising return on investment.

**What you’ll bring**:

- Extensive experience in talent management, organisational development, or related HR functions, with a proven record in leadership roles.
- Strong knowledge of talent management practices, performance management, learning and development, and employee engagement strategies.
- Proven ability to design and implement effective talent and skills strategies that align with business objectives.
- Skilled in partnering business transformations and developing strategy, with the ability to navigate complexity and create meaning from ambiguity.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of influencing and engaging stakeholders at all levels.
- Strong analytical skills with experience in leveraging data for decision-making.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the workplace.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while managing multiple priorities.

As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom.

**What we offer**:
At AXA UK, we’re appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. You can expect to receive:

- Competitive annual salary
- Annual company & performance-based bonus
- Contributory pension scheme (up to 12% employer contributions)
- Life Assurance (up to 10 x annual salary)
- Private medical cover
- 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
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