Interim Head of HR

Job Description

Reporting to: Chief People Officer

Band: 4.3

Salary: £80,000 - £85,290

Role type: FTC 6 months

Working hours: Full time (9 day fortnight) - Other patterns to be considered

Location: London or Milton Keynes (minimum of two days a week in the office)

About Connected Places Catapult

Connected Places Catapult is the UK's innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and place leadership. We provide impartial ‘innovation as a service’ for public bodies, businesses, and infrastructure providers to catalyse step-change improvements in the way people live, work and travel. We connect businesses and public sector leaders to cutting-edge research to spark innovation and grow new markets. We run technology demonstrators and SME accelerators to scale new solutions that drive growth, spread prosperity, and eliminate carbon.

Key duties:

• Responsible for leading HR Operations team activities, including employee relations, reward and benefits, HR systems, people metrics/reporting, and policies and practice.

• As business partner to senior roles be able to shape practices across business areas (e.g. team structure and role changes) and initiatives supporting our people strategy ( onboarding, reward strategy, performance , policies and practice).

• Ensure quality and colleague centric focus from the team that supports CPC culture and values, based in transparency and openness

• Ensure personal and team delivery , using planning tools to scope, implement and communicate effectively.

• As part of the Corporate Executive Leadership Team (CELT), attend governance meetings with the CPO and bringing people best practice to companywide decisions.

• Represent the HR team professionally and with credibility, demonstrating confidence and skill to the leadership team, colleagues, internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure the timely provision of company-wide management information that interprets people data, analyses predictive trends on staff turnover, absence, cost per hire etc.

• Use expertise to give counsel and oversee complex employee relations issues.

• Ensure effective people management practice and legal compliance is achieved with all HR and business led people activities, challenging where appropriate and offering pragmatic solutions where required.

• Contribute to making CPC an employer of choice, creating a positive working environment and engaged/inclusive culture.

Requirements

• Minimum CIPD Level 5 qualified with evidence of continuous professional development.
• Similar level of responsibility held with team management and management/executive committee experience.

• Experience in leading change activities / consultation, coaching people managers in their role (including TUPE).

• Proven ability in establishing credibility and building department accountability.

• Able to problem solve and demonstrate primarily operational HR skills.

• Solid employment law knowledge and proven experience of applying updated legislation to a variety of HR situations.

• Outstanding communication skills, including ability to influence senior leaders and coach through difficult conversations.

• Proven organisation skills and ability to prioritise.

• Focus on accuracy and quality of outputs.

• Energised and motivated by constant change.

Benefits

• 9 day fortnight for everyone, we have a full company shutdown every other Friday.
• 23.5 holiday entitlement for everyone, with pro-rata calculations for part-time employees, along with a Christmas shutdown period for additional days off.
• Competitive pension, up to 10% company contribution to help you save for your future.
• Two paid days of volunteering leave per year (pro-rata for part-time employees) to support charitable activities.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing 24/7 confidential work/life support services to you and your immediate family members.
• Cycle to Work Scheme with bike racks and showers available, encouraging a healthy and sustainable commute.
• Cash Health Plan, offering reimbursement for a wide range of essential and everyday healthcare expenses, promoting your well-being.
• Payroll Giving scheme, allowing regular charitable contributions from pre-tax income, maximizing the impact of your donations.
• Discounts and offers from a wide variety of retailers, enhancing your purchasing power and providing savings opportunities.

Employment here is based solely upon individual merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, religion, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by law. We also make all reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under laws protecting the rights of the disabled.