Purpose of job
As the Head of HR, you will collaborate closely with the HR Director to define and drive Birketts’ strategic vision. You will oversee HR operations across all Birketts offices, playing a pivotal role in implementing HR strategies. Your efforts will ensure that HR projects and key people processes adhere to best practices, are executed successfully, and deliver maximum impact. Additionally, you will regularly review these processes to ensure continuous improvement.
You will also be instrumental in shaping the organisation’s culture, enhancing employee engagement, and maintaining Birketts as an outstanding place to work.
Accountabilities
1. Manage and support the HR Team: Set direction and priorities, actively coaching, developing, and mentoring team members to excel in their roles.
2. Serve as a Trusted Advisor: Provide expert advice and guidance to Heads of Division, Partners, team leaders, and the HR team on complex human resource issues, including employee relations and policy application and development.
3. Drive Organisational Effectiveness and Engagement Projects: Enhance organisational effectiveness and support engagement and growth through talent acquisition, reward and recognition, performance management and career progression initiatives.
4. Manage Annual HR Processes and Initiatives: Lead and develop key HR processes such as the engagement survey, gender pay gap reporting, career progression and promotion, and the salary review process.
5. Support Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Efforts: Collaborate with the Chair of the People and Culture Committee to enhance and implement the firm’s approach to equity, diversity and inclusion.
6. Review and Improve HR Systems and Processes: Continuously evaluate and enhance HR systems and processes to ensure maximum compliance, efficiency and effectiveness.
7. Develop and Report on relevant HR Metrics and Data : Collect and analyse HR data to inform decision-making, track performance, and identify areas for improvement.
8. Lead Merger and Acquisition Activities: Provide HR leadership and expertise during mergers and acquisitions to ensure smooth integration and alignment of HR practices.
Skills
9. Relevant degree (e.g., Business, HR, Law) or equivalent experience.?
10. CIPD qualified or equivalent professional HR qualification.
11. Proven experience in a senior HR role, with a strong focus on both strategic and operational aspects.
12. Advanced knowledge of employment law, policies, and best practice.
13. Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships at all levels of the organisation.
14. Expertise in producing and presenting engaging reports to the board and senior leadership team.
15. Strong analytical skills to assess and interpret HR metrics and data and use insights to inform HR strategies and decisions.
Equal opportunities
At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits:
16. 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays (rising with service up to a maximum of 30 days).
17. ?Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
18. Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
19. Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
20. Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
21. Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
22. Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
23. Paid CSR Day
24. Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
25. Subsidised gym membership
26. Electric car scheme
27. Agile/Hybrid Working Policy
28. Dress for your Day Policy
*Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.
Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.
Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation.
We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.