Interim Director of People Services

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Interim Director of People Services to provide executive‑level leadership during a period of strategic, organisational and governance change for a large public‑sector organisation. Reporting to the Executive Team, you will shape the people agenda, drive workforce planning, culture and EDI initiatives and lead employee and industrial relations.

Key responsibilities

• Provide visible, credible leadership of the HR function and develop a People Strategy aligned with organisational objectives.
• Support implementation of a new organisational strategy and broader transformation programmes.
• Deliver strategic workforce planning to ensure future capability.
• Lead complex employee‑relations and industrial‑relations matters in a unionised environment, building effective partnerships with trade unions and key stakeholders.
• Drive organisational development, leadership capability and culture‑change initiatives.
• Lead Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy and related programmes.
• Support governance reform, organisational change activities and ensure robust people‑governance, compliance and risk‑management frameworks.

Required profile

• Proven experience as an HR Director, Executive Director of People or equivalent at executive level.
• Strong expertise in employee relations and industrial relations, preferably within unionised settings.
• Demonstrated track record of leading large‑scale organisational transformation and change programmes.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and build effective partnerships with trade unions.

Required skills