Head of People & Culture – Go-Ahead London
Join Go-Ahead London as the Head of People & Culture
Are you ready to lead and inspire change at London’s largest bus operator? Go-Ahead London is seeking a dynamic and visionary Head of People & Culture to drive our people-focused strategies and make a real difference to the lives of over 8,000 colleagues across the capital.
About Us
As the leading bus operator in London, Go-Ahead London is known for our award-winning services and our commitment to safely delivering millions of passengers every year. Our team includes professional bus drivers and dedicated staff across 17 garages and Head Office. We pride ourselves on fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion, and innovation.
The Role
As the Head of People & Culture, you will report directly to the Managing Director and play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of our people and culture agenda. Your mission will be to ensure Go-Ahead London is an employer of choice by enhancing employee engagement, talent development, and inclusion.
You'll lead our HR function and oversee the Bus Driver Recruitment Centre in Camberwell, aligning all people-related initiatives with our business objectives. A key focus will be engaging and supporting our workforce, many of whom work remotely, to foster a sense of belonging and a positive workplace culture.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Culture:
* Develop and lead a vision for employee engagement, talent development, and inclusion across the business. Champion Go-Ahead London’s values at all levels.
* Oversees talent development, leadership coaching, and DEI initiatives.
* Drives change management and workforce planning from a cultural perspective.
* Partners with senior leadership to integrate people strategy with business objectives
* Provides business partnering to the Senior Leadership Team to influence and drive value for the business
* Lead the OD agenda with senior leaders to ensure fit for purpose structures and capabilities to support growth agenda
* Develop and implement Group people strategy initiatives, working with colleagues across the Go-Ahead Group on key HR projects including digital initiatives such as implementation of new HCM system 2025/2026
* Champion Go-Ahead London’s values, ensuring they are embedded into the organisation’s culture at all levels.
People Management:
* Provide leadership to the HR team, oversee recruitment strategies, and ensure the efficiency of our Bus Driver Recruitment Centre.
* Develop talent management and succession planning strategies across all levels of the organisation.
* Oversee training and development programmes to upskill employees, particularly in leadership and management roles.
Employee Wellbeing:
* Implement innovative wellbeing initiatives to support mental and physical health while enhancing work-life balance.
Diversity & Inclusion:
* Drive improvement in diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring our workforce reflects the communities we serve.
Trade Union Relations:
* Build and maintain collaborative relationships with trade union representatives to ensure open communication and mutual understanding.
* Lead negotiations on collective bargaining agreements, ensuring outcomes align with organizational objectives and legal requirements.
* Proactively address potential disputes by fostering a culture of trust and transparency.
Innovation in HR:
* Spearhead the adoption of new HR technologies, digital transformation, and workforce planning strategies.
Compliance & Governance:
* Ensure alignment with employment laws and regulations.
About You
We are looking for an experienced HR leader with:
* A proven track record in employee engagement, cultural transformation, and talent development.
* Experience working with trade unions and managing large, dispersed workforces.
* Excellent communication and leadership skills.
* Strong knowledge of employment law, diversity, and HR best practices.
* CIPD qualification or equivalent professional HR qualification (preferred).
Working Conditions
* Must be flexible to travel across multiple sites and accommodate the needs of a 24/7 transport business.
* This role requires a minimum of 4 days per week in the office
Why Join Us?
At Go-Ahead London, we believe in supporting and empowering our colleagues. You will be a key part of our Senior Leadership Team, influencing the future of our organisation and the experiences of our dedicated workforce.
Ready to make a meaningful impact? Apply today and help us drive excellence in the way we engage, support, and develop our people.
Please send your CV to Apply at gagrecruitment@go-ahead.com
Applications close on 25th April 2025 at 17:00