HR Director

London Source: WhatJobs

£80,000–£120,000

Overview

We are looking for a People leader who can help shape our long-term people vision while driving day-to-day execution. Reporting directly to the CEO and Executive Chairman, you will lead and expand our People team, working closely with the leadership group to design the systems, structures, and culture that enable our people to thrive as we scale from 100 to 250+ employees - and beyond. This is not just a HR role. It's a defining opportunity to help build a mission-driven company with the opportunity to grow into a future Chief People Officer position.

What You Will Do

Set the People strategy covering organisational design, headcount planning, leadership development, and career growth
Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Executive Chairman, leadership team, and managers on all matters of people, culture, and performance
Build and lead the People function, growing the team and capability as we scale
Shape culture intentionally, embedding clarity, feedback, learning, and high performance, while ensuring well-being and inclusivity
Lead our approach to talent acquisition, ensuring we attract exceptional candidates aligned with our mission and values
Oversee compensation, benefits, and our Employee Value Proposition to remain competitive in all our markets
Ensure compliance with employment laws and best practices across the regions we operate in
Use data and insights to drive improvements and measure the impact of People initiatives

Requirements

About You

Experience

15+ years in People/HR roles, with significant experience in a scaling environment (100-250+ employees)
Proven track record of building and scaling people systems across recruitment, onboarding, performance, compensation and learning & development
Skilled in workforce planning, staffing budgets, payroll, and benchmarking
Deep knowledge of UK employment law, compliance, and HR best practices (experience across international regions, specifically Ukraine, is a plus)
Track record in leading People teams and influencing executive decision-making
Background in defence, intelligence, or security industries is preferred

Mindset

A strategic thinker who thrives on hands-on execution
Emotionally intelligent, with excellent listening skills and courage in challenging conversations
A systems-thinker who understands how structures and incentives shape culture
Steady through change, able to provide clarity in ambiguity
An outstanding communicator across executive, manager, and employee audiences

Why join us?

Play a defining role in shaping a mission-driven company as we scale
Lead and grow a People team that's deeply valued by the organisation

Additional Support Requirements

We aim to provide an inclusive recruitment experience where possible. If you require any reasonable adjustments or have additional needs to support you through our recruitment process, please describe (or select) them below. Examples include:

Accessibility accommodations (e.g., sign language interpretation, screen reader compatibility)
Alternative interview platforms (e.g., Zoom rather than Microsoft Teams)
Extended time for assessments or documentation support

Benefits

Gym Access & Wellness Discounts: Access to discounted memberships and gym facilities for London-based employees
Cycle to Work Scheme: Tax-efficient savings on bikes and accessories, available post-probation
Season Ticket Loans: Interest-free loans for annual commuting costs
Private Medical Insurance: Fully funded cover through Vitality Health after two years\' service
Employee Assistance Programme: Confidential mental health, legal, financial and wellbeing support via Health Hero
Enhanced Leave Entitlements: Supporting you through important life moments with flexibility
Professional Development Days: Dedicated time off to focus on your personal and professional growth through training, courses, or self-directed learning
Culture & Development: A values-led culture with regular social events, collaborative initiatives, and meaningful opportunities for personal and professional development