Head of HR

Lead a people function that enables colleagues to thrive, builds leadership capability and supports exceptional care across a growing organisation.

About the Role

Joining us means becoming part of a forward-looking care organisation with a long-term commitment to the success of every home. Supported by planned investment and the resources needed to deliver high-quality, sustainable care, we are creating the right environment for colleagues to succeed and communities to thrive. this is a full-time, office-based role based at our Support Office in Darlington, working 40 hours per week and offering the opportunity to work closely with colleagues across the organisation to support homes nationwide.

As Head of HR, you will shape and deliver the people agenda across a complex, multi-site organisation. Reporting to the People Director, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across HR, recruitment, flexible workforce and immigration functions, ensuring the organisation has the capability, processes and support needed to achieve its ambitions.

This is a broad leadership role, combining strategic influence with hands-on delivery. You will lead a team of HR specialists, strengthen employee relations practice, develop workforce capability and support managers to lead their teams with confidence.

Working closely with senior operational leaders, you will be a trusted partner — providing insight, challenge and practical solutions that improve colleague engagement, retention and organisational performance.

About You

You are an experienced HR leader who can balance strategic ambition with operational delivery.

You will bring credibility, confidence and a practical approach to leading people initiatives within a complex, multi-site environment. You will be comfortable influencing senior stakeholders, managing sensitive employee matters and creating solutions that enhance colleague experience and business performance.

You will be passionate about developing people, strengthening leadership capability and building a culture where colleagues feel valued, supported and able to perform at their best.

What You’ll Bring

Essential

• Significant experience in a senior HR leadership role within a large, complex and geographically dispersed organisation.
• Strong knowledge of employment law across England, Scotland and Wales, with experience managing complex employee relations matters.
• Chartered CIPD membership (MCIPD) or equivalent senior HR leadership experience.
• Strong generalist HR expertise across employee relations, policy development, workforce planning, performance management and organisational change.
• Proven experience leading, coaching and developing HR teams and specialist functions.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders.
• Ability to use workforce data and insight to identify trends, manage risks and support decision-making.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver through others.

Desirable

• Experience working within adult social care, healthcare or another regulated environment.
• Knowledge of workforce challenges within care services, including high-volume recruitment, flexible staffing models, agency reduction and frontline workforce planning.
• Experience supporting international recruitment and immigration compliance.
• Experience developing employer brand, colleague engagement strategies and talent pipelines.
• Experience presenting workforce insight and recommendations at Executive or Board level.

Additional Information

This is an opportunity to shape the future of the People function and support colleagues across the organisation to deliver outstanding care.

You will work alongside senior leaders to build a sustainable workforce, strengthen leadership capability and create a positive colleague experience from attraction through to retention and development.

The role is based at the Central Support Office in Darlington on a hybrid basis, with regular travel to homes and regional locations across the portfolio as required.

You will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS disclosure and comply with relevant licence checks in line with insurance requirements.