Head of People Services

Job title:

Head of People Services

Company

Human Resourcing

Job description

Reporting to and acting as a deputy to the CPO, you will work closely with a strategic team of HR People Partners whilst overseeing the smooth running of the HR ‘engine room’ in this Senior Leadership role. The operational HR linchpin, you will lead a small people operations team of direct reports whilst heading up the full employee experience.Disseminating the constant flow of HR data and information from the team to the BPs and back again, you will champion a strong, operational focus on line managers and the people leadership team whilst understanding the bigger, strategic picture.Successful ApplicantThe Head of People Services & Experience is a senior leadership role reporting directly to the Chief People Officer (CPO) and serving as the deputy for the CPO.This role is responsible for overseeing the people operational capability, delivering seamless and efficient people services, and driving a culture of excellence across the employee lifecycle.The successful candidate will lead a team responsible for people operations, systems, payroll, employee experience, and compliance. With a focus on continuous improvement, this role ensures that the organisation attracts, retains, and supports talent while fostering a culture of engagement and inclusivity.The Head of People Services will also play a critical role in ensuring the people function is scalable, agile, and aligned with the organisation’s strategic goals to support rugby at all levels.Key Relationships Internal:

• Chief People Officer (CPO)
• People Business Partners and Head of EDI
• Heads of Departments (e.g., Community grassroots development, performance rugby, marketing, finance, technology)
• Employees across all levels

External:

• People technology vendors and service providers
• Legal and compliance advisors
• External auditors and regulatory bodies
• Benchmarking and people analytics providers

Key Responsibilities,

• Lead the people operational capability, ensuring efficient delivery of people services across the employee lifecycle.
• Act as deputy to the CPO, supporting strategic people leadership and organisational initiatives.
• Oversee the development and execution of employee experience programs, ensuring alignment with organisational culture and values.
• Drive people process standardisation, automation, and continuous improvement across systems and workflows.
• Ensure compliance with employment law and organisational policies, mitigating risks and promoting best practices.
• Provide strategic leadership on people systems and data, leveraging analytics to inform decision-making.
• Foster a high-performance culture by enabling effective people management tools and practices.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the organisation.

Key Tasks and Activities * Operational Excellence:

• Lead and manage a small team responsible for people operations and payroll, to deliver a seamless service experience.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll and benefits administration.
• Oversee the maintenance and continuous improvement of people systems, ensuring they meet the needs of a dynamic organisation.
• Employee Experience:

• Design and implement programs that enhance the employee journey, from onboarding to offboarding.
• Partner with leaders to identify opportunities to improve engagement and employee satisfaction.
• Monitor and respond to feedback from employee surveys, creating actionable plans to address concerns.
• Strategic HR Leadership:

• Act as a key advisor to the CPO on operational and strategic people matters.
• Deputise for the CPO in meetings, presentations, and other leadership forums.
• Collaborate with People Business Partners and Head of EDI to ensure alignment of people services with broader people and inclusion strategies.
• Compliance and Risk Management:

• Ensure compliance with employment legislation, GDPR, and organisational policies.
• Develop and implement robust governance frameworks to manage people-related risks.
• Conduct regular audits of people processes and policies to ensure adherence to standards.
• Technology and Data:

• Lead the optimisation of people technology platforms, ensuring they support efficiency and innovation.
• Develop and maintain people dashboards to provide actionable insights for decision-making.
• Use data analytics to identify trends, predict challenges, and propose solutions.
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI):

• Collaborate with the Head of EDI to drive the implementation of EDI strategies.
• Partner with leaders to create inclusive practices in hiring, development, and engagement.
• Continuous Improvement:

• Identify and implement opportunities for process automation and simplification.
• Benchmark people operations against best practices and industry standards.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONKnowledge, Skills and ExperienceEssential Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• CIPD Level 7 or equivalent senior people qualification.
• In-depth knowledge of people operations, systems, and compliance requirements.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strategic thinker with a strong operational focus.
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills.
• Advanced analytical skills with experience leveraging HR data and systems.
• Expertise in process optimisation and project management.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Proficient in people technology platforms and tools, with a focus on automation and analytics.

Experience:

• Significant experience in senior people operational roles, preferably in a complex, multi-functional organization.
• Proven track record of driving operational excellence and enhancing employee experience.
• Experience in designing and implementing scalable people systems and processes.
• Demonstrated success in leading organisational change initiatives.
• Strong background in risk management and compliance.

Desirable:

• Experience in the sports industry or a similar dynamic environment.
• An understanding of rugby and its role in community and professional contexts.
• The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh

This role is essential in ensuring that the organisation’s people function operates as a strategic enabler of its mission to promote and develop rugby. The Head of People Services will lead with integrity, innovation, and a commitment to fostering a world[1]class employee experience.WRU Group Benefits (Subject to change)As a permanent member of the WRU Group, you will have access to our full range of employee benefits, including:

• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• Day off for your birthday
• Pension (5% employee, matched by WRU)
• Life assurance (2 x basic annual salary)
• WRU Group Ticket Allocation
• Option to join Flexible Health Care Cash Plan
• Employee assistance programme
• Enhanced Company Sick Pay
• Team Tactics – hybrid working arrangements
• Free stadium parking and gym
• WRU Group store and tour discounts
• WRU Group partnership offers (subject to change)

WRU Group Inclusion StatementThe WRU Group is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to supporting and prompting equality and diversity. We recognise the value of a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Expected salary

£65000 per year

Location

Cardiff

Job date

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 01:31:47 GMT

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