Head of HR - UK & Nordics
22 hours ago
Twickenham
Company Summary Our client is a well-established international healthcare and life sciences organisation with operations across commercial and manufacturing environments. The business operates in a regulated, quality-led sector and is focused on delivering high standards across its people, products and customer relationships. This is a senior HR leadership opportunity supporting a multi-site UK and Nordic region. The successful candidate will work closely with senior leaders, site leadership teams and functional heads to deliver a practical, commercially aligned people strategy. Role Overview The Head of HR will lead the regional HR function and provide a full generalist HR service across commercial and manufacturing sites. This is a broad leadership role covering HR strategy, business partnering, employee relations, engagement, recruitment, talent management, reward, payroll, HR operations, systems and compliance. The role will support a workforce of approximately 350 employees and will involve close partnership with senior stakeholders across sales, operations, manufacturing, finance, quality, regulatory, customer service, marketing, IT and other corporate functions. Key Responsibilities • Lead the HR function across the UK and Nordics, ensuring the effective delivery of HR services across multiple sites., • Act as a key member of the regional leadership team, contributing to business planning, organisational performance and people strategy., • Partner with senior leaders, site leaders and functional heads on workforce planning, employee engagement, organisational change and leadership capability., • Lead, coach and develop the HR team, ensuring a responsive, professional and value-adding service., • Provide expert HR guidance on employee relations matters, including disciplinaries, grievances, absence, performance management and organisational change., • Ensure HR policies, procedures, contracts and employee documentation are compliant, practical and aligned with business needs., • Manage recruitment activity across the region, supporting hiring managers with current and future resourcing requirements., • Lead employee engagement initiatives and support actions that improve retention, communication, morale and performance., • Manage the annual performance review process, including calibration, objective setting and development planning., • Oversee annual compensation planning, salary review activity, benefits processes and reward benchmarking., • Manage monthly payroll approval and ensure HR operational processes are accurate, timely and well controlled., • Support the implementation and ongoing improvement of HR systems, reporting, data accuracy and process efficiency., • Manage HR budgets, external service providers and benefit partner relationships., • Support audit activity and ensure robust HR controls are in place to manage operational, financial and reputational risk., • Drive talent management and succession planning activity to ensure the business has the capability required for future success. Candidate Profile The successful candidate will be an experienced senior HR professional with a strong generalist background and the ability to operate across both strategic and operational HR. You will be confident working in a complex, multi-site environment and comfortable partnering with senior leaders across a broad range of functions. Experience in a regulated, manufacturing, healthcare, life sciences, pharmaceutical, medical technology or similar technical environment would be highly advantageous. Key Skills and Experience • Senior HR leadership experience within a multi-site organisation., • Strong generalist HR background., • Experience leading and developing an HR team., • Strong UK employment law and employee relations knowledge., • Experience supporting commercial, operational or manufacturing environments., • Proven ability to influence and advise senior leaders., • Experience managing payroll, HR operations, reward, benefits and HR systems., • Strong understanding of performance management, talent management and succession planning., • Practical, organised, commercially aware and confident handling complex people matters., • CIPD qualification or equivalent HR experience would be advantageous. Why Apply? This is an excellent opportunity for a senior HR professional to take on a broad and influential leadership role within a well-established international organisation. The role offers real variety, combining strategic people leadership with hands-on operational delivery across a complex, multi-site business.