Head of Human Resources

We're delighted to be partnering with an ambitious, recently established group as they look to make a key early appointment to their leadership team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone to really make their mark. If you're someone who loves getting things moving, enjoys a challenge and wants the opportunity to build something rather than inherit an established HR function, this could be a brilliant next step.The business is establishing itself as a multi-brand legal services group and has exciting plans for growth through acquisition. Well-funded and with a clear vision for the future, they're looking for someone with the energy, ideas and ambition to help turn those plans into reality.Reporting directly to the CEO, you'll be joining at a stage where there's a genuine opportunity to influence how the business develops. You'll have the freedom to shape the HR function, establish the right foundations and play an important part in building a culture where people enjoy working, perform at their best and feel part of something exciting.You'll be involved in the acquisition journey, helping the business understand the people implications of potential acquisitions and supporting the integration of new businesses into the Group. You'll help bring together processes, policies and ways of working, whilst recognising what makes each business different.There's plenty to get stuck into. From putting the right HR systems and processes in place to supporting managers, developing leaders and creating a high-performing culture, this is a role where you'll be encouraged to bring ideas, challenge thinking and make things happen. An important part of your remit will be helping managers improve individual performance, accountability and productivity, ensuring the people agenda makes a real commercial difference.You’ll be instrumental in:Embedding a collaborative, accountable and high-performance culture; supporting engagement, wellbeing and retention.Developing managers’ capability in performance conversations, delegation, coaching, communication and accountability, including supporting technically strong professionals who are newer to people leadership.Owning the improvement of HR systems, data quality, automation and scalable workflows, making processes simpler and reducing manual administration as the Group grows.Supporting workforce planning, headcount reporting, people budgets and employment-cost visibility.Assessing the Group’s existing employee benefits and benchmark options that will strengthen recruitment, engagement and retention.Improving recruitment, onboarding, talent development, succession planning and retention of key people.Coordinating people-related due diligence and post-acquisition integration alongside the CEO, Finance and operational teams.Developing a repeatable, proportionate HR integration playbook for future acquisitions.We're not necessarily looking for someone who's done all of this before. What matters is that you've built strong generalist HR experience, have good commercial instincts and are ready for the challenge of taking ownership of the people agenda. You'll be confident dealing with the day-to-day realities of HR, comfortable advising senior leaders and excited by the opportunity to develop your experience as the business grows.You'll be someone who brings enthusiasm and a positive, can-do attitude. Curious, proactive and full of ideas, you'll enjoy finding solutions, building relationships and getting things done. You'll have the confidence to challenge constructively, the emotional intelligence to bring people with you and the resilience to thrive in a business where things are moving quickly.Experience of acquisitions, integration or organisational change would be useful, but we're equally interested in people with the potential and ambition to grow into this opportunity.This is a rare chance to join a growing, entrepreneurial business at an early stage, work closely with an ambitious CEO and have a real say in shaping what comes next!

Location: Oxford / Oxfordshire: This will be a highly visible role and requires a willingness to spend time across offices.Salary: Up to £90,000 plus benefits.