Head of People

Background

This is an exciting opportunity to work with Darbar Arts Culture and Heritage Trust, one of the UK’s most dynamic and cutting-edge Indian arts organisations. Established as a charity nineteen years ago, we have helped shape the landscape of South Asian classical arts in the UK.

We believe in the power of Indian classical music to stir, thrill and inspire global audiences. Our work to widen access to this genre is focused on producing innovative live events, digital content for streaming, social media and television and music education in schools and online.

We are seeking a strategic and experienced Head of People to join our Leadership Team. In this role, you will be responsible for shaping and leading our people function, ensuring that our people strategy aligns with our mission and values. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact in a dynamic, creative, and growing organisation.

Primary Job Purpose

To lead on all aspects of HR within the organisation, including recruitment, employee relations, performance management and organisational development. You will be responsible for creating and implementing strategies that enhance employee engagement, diversity and wellbeing, while ensuring legal compliance and fostering a positive workplace culture.

Key Areas of Responsibility
- To serve as a member of the Leadership Team, contributing to Darbar’s vision and organisational strategy, advising on issues directly affecting people and shaping culture.
- Develop and implement talent management strategies on all aspects of the employee lifecycle to from attracting top talent, onboarding, driving performance, employee development and engagement as well as retention.
- Design and implement operating models that enable efficacy - establishing and maintaining systems for measuring performance and ensuring employees are held accountable for their work and cultivating a positive employee experience.
- Implementing strategies to embed Darbar’s culture and values - together with the Leadership Team.

Duties and responsibilities
- To serve as a member of the Leadership Team, contributing to Darbar’s vision and organisational strategy, advising on issues directly affecting people and shaping culture.
- Advising and supporting senior leadership on all people and culture matters, including employment law, best practice and organisational development
- Partnering with the Leadership Team to ensure human resources initiatives align with organisational objectives
- Monitoring and regular reporting on key metrics, including employee turnover, engagement and performance to inform Leadership Team decision making
- Ensuring effective communication between leadership and staff
- Ensuring legal compliance including employment law, health and safety and GDPR
- Develop and implement talent management strategies on all aspects of the employee lifecycle to from attracting top talent, onboarding, driving performance, employee development and engagement as well as retention.
- Developing and implementing a people strategy
- Developing and implementing HR policies in line with sector good practice and to align with Darbar’s values; socialising these amongst staff and providing training where necessary
- Consistently recruiting top talent and maintaining an effective onboarding system
- Leading on employee relations, ensuring that staff are supported and engaged
- Coaching employees at all levels, building trust and rapport to provide support in areas such as leadership development, line management and effective employee relations
- Conducting regular salary and performance reviews
- Design and implement operating models that enable efficacy - establishing and maintaining systems for measuring performance and ensuring employees are held accountable for their work.
- Cultivating a positive employee experience, ensuring an enabling environment for employees to succeed in their roles
- Leading on disciplinary and grievance procedures when necessary.
- Handling workplace investigations when necessary.
- Resolving conflicts through positive, professional mediation
- Implementing strategies to embed Darbar’s culture and values - together with the Leadership Team.
- Championing equity, diversity and inclusion
- Being the staff lead for Darbar on safeguarding
- Driving a learning culture that embraces vertical and horizontal feedback

Essential skills and competencies
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources management or equivalent.
- 10+ years of progressive relevant experience, including prior management experience.
- Experience building best practice HR/People strategies and initiatives for growing organisations in a hands-on, highly collaborative environment.
- Knowledge of UK employment laws and regulations, including relevant health and safety legislation.
- Demonstrated success in leading, inspiring, coaching, and building world-class teams.
- Prior experience cultivating a diverse, equitable, inclusive