Senior HR Lead


Company:	Hays Specialist Recruitment
Salary:	£70,000 to £90,000 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	PR1 3NU
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	29 Aug 2026
Closing date:	12 Sept 2026

Apply for this job

Summary

Hays Human Resources are delighted to be supporting a successful UK-based organisation in the appointment of a senior HR leader.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a complex operational business with a sizeable and diverse workforce. Working closely with the senior leadership team, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering the people agenda, whilst maintaining a strong operational focus across employee relations, workforce planning, organisational development and people governance.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to a senior executive leader and working closely with the wider leadership team, this role will be responsible for leading an established HR function and delivering practical, commercially focused people solutions across a broad workforce population.

This role requires a highly visible leader who is comfortable spending time within the business, building relationships with operational teams and supporting managers through complex people challenges. The successful candidate will combine strategic thinking with a genuine willingness to remain hands-on where required.

Key responsibilities will include:

Leading and developing the HR function, providing direction and support to a multidisciplinary people team.

Acting as a trusted advisor to the Executive Team and Senior Leadership Team on all people-related matters.

Managing complex employee relations issues, including conduct, performance, absence management and organisational change.

Supporting workforce planning, succession planning and senior-level recruitment activity.

Taking ownership of people policies, procedures and HR governance frameworks.

Driving consistency and continuous improvement across HR processes and operating procedures.

Supporting organisational change and transformation initiatives.

Ensuring compliance with UK employment legislation and best practice HR standards.

Using people data and management information to support informed business decision-making.

About You

We are keen to speak with experienced HR leaders who have operated in large-scale, fast-paced environments and can demonstrate success supporting both operational and corporate populations.

You will bring:

Significant experience leading HR, with a hands-on approach, within a complex organisation employing a large workforce.

A proven track record managing high-volume employee relations activity and complex employment law matters.

Experience overseeing payroll as part of a broader HR leadership remit.

Exposure to organisational change and workforce transformation initiatives.

Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance operational priorities and strategic objectives.

Exceptional stakeholder management skills and the confidence to influence at executive level.

A pragmatic, resilient and hands-on leadership style.

A willingness to be visible within the business.

Experience in operationally led sectors.

What's on Offer?

Competitive salary & Comprehensive benefits package

Senior leadership exposure and influence

Opportunity to shape and develop the people agenda within a large and complex organisation.

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk

Apply for this job