Newcastle upon Tyne
About the Role We are looking for an ambitious and forward-thinking Head of HR to lead, shape, and develop our HR function as the business continues to grow. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to make a genuine impact, building HR foundations, developing people initiatives, and becoming a key strategic partner for the organisation. The role is ideal for someone who is confident operating both strategically and hands-on, with experience across recruitment, employee relations, HR policy creation, development pathways, and organisational culture. You will work with a workforce that includes both employed staff and consultants across a multi-faceted business, requiring a strong understanding of operational needs and a practical, solutions-focused approach. This role will grow as the company grows, making it an exciting step for someone ready to take ownership of a full HR function. Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic HR Leadership • Build, lead, and develop the HR function, establishing scalable processes and policies that support business growth., • Act as a trusted advisor to leadership on people strategy, workforce planning, and organisational development.Recruitment & Talent Acquisition, • Manage full-cycle recruitment, from job scoping and advertising to interviewing and onboarding., • Develop recruitment strategies to attract top talent for both employed and consultancy roles., • Establish talent pipelines and succession planning processes.People Policies & Compliance, • Create, review, and implement HR policies, procedures, and employee handbooks in line with UK employment law., • Ensure compliance with legislation, HR best practice, and internal governance.Employee Relations, • Provide guidance and support on complex employee relations matters including grievances, performance, and conduct., • Lead on conflict resolution, mediation, and positive employee engagement practices.Learning, Development & Career Pathways, • Design and implement development programmes to support employee growth and progression., • Establish clear career pathways and competency frameworks.Absence & Performance Management, • Monitor absence trends, support managers in managing attendance effectively, and promote wellbeing initiatives., • Develop performance management frameworks that support accountability and growth.Operational HR Support, • Work closely with operational leaders to understand workforce needs and provide practical, business-focused HR solutions., • Support day-to-day HR administration and processes while building the team and structure required for the future.Culture & Engagement, • Support the development of a positive, inclusive, high-performing culture., • Lead engagement initiatives that strengthen morale, retention, and collaboration.Qualifications & Experience, • Experience in an HR Manager, Senior HR Advisor, or equivalent role with readiness to step up into a Head of HR position., • Strong understanding of UK employment law, HR best practices, and employee relations., • Experience working across multi-discipline or multi-site businesses (desirable)., • Proven ability to write, implement, and maintain HR policies and procedures., • Demonstrable experience managing recruitment, onboarding, and performance management processes., • Confident working with both consultants and employed staff., • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, challenge, and collaborate with senior stakeholders.Key Attributes, • Proactive, adaptable, and able to work independently., • Passionate about building processes, not just maintaining them., • Strong communication and relationship-building abilities., • Highly organised with excellent attention to detail., • Approachable, fair, and committed to employee wellbeing., • Ambitious and excited by the opportunity to grow a team and a function.