Head of HR

Job Description

Job Title: Head of HR

Location: Preston

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: Circa £85,000 plus executive car allowance and benefits

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Head of HR to play a critical role in delivering our people strategy and strengthening organisational effectiveness across our business.

This is a unique opportunity to operate at the intersection of strategy, design, and delivery – working closely with the People Director and HR Business Partner team to ensure our people interventions are integrated, impactful, and aligned to business priorities.

Core duties:

• You will lead the design and integration of strategic HR interventions, aligned to business and people priorities
• You will be responsible for driving the organisational effectiveness agenda, including organisation design and workforce efficiency
• You will ensure the alignment and consistency of HR activity across the business
• You will be providing thought leadership and challenge to shape high-quality, evidence-based solutions
• You will use data and insight to inform design, prioritisation and decision-making
• You will be partnering with HR Business Partners to enable effective and joined-up delivery into the business
• You will be responsible for leading or contributing to complex transformation and change programmes

Essential Skills:

• You will have gained experience of operating in a senior HR leadership role within a large, corporate environment
• You will require proven experience in organisation design, workforce planning and transformation delivery
• You will have gained experience of leading teams of HR Business Partners
• You will hold a good awareness of external market standards and trends and be able to align strategy into executable plans

The Shared Services Business:

By joining us in Shared Services within this role, you will be part of a growing, transforming business; driving organisational design and efficiencies while partnering with leadership to shape change, deliver innovation and bring creative people solutions to the business.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 17th June 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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