HR Business Partner - IT & Digital

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place.

Smiths Detection is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,500 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Job Description

Shape the Future of Technology at Smiths Detection

This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in one of the most significant transformation programmes within Smiths Detection.

As HR Director - Global IT & Digital Transformation, you will partner directly with the CIO and senior technology leadership team to drive the people strategy behind the creation of a standalone global IT function and the growth of an ambitious Digital business capability.

This role sits at the heart of our transformation journey as we transition from shared services and Transitional Services Agreement arrangements to an independent operating model while accelerating our digital, software, AI and technology-enabled growth agenda.

We're looking for a commercially astute HR leader who understands technology organisations, speaks the language of IT and Digital teams, and has experience helping businesses scale, transform and build capability in complex global environments.

What You’ll Be Doing

Strategic IT Transformation

• Lead workforce planning for the Global IT organisation.
• Build talent strategies that support growth, retention and future capability requirements.
• Develop capability frameworks and talent pipelines across Cyber Security, Infrastructure, Enterprise Applications, Data & Analytics, AI and Digital.
• Partner with technology leaders to build a high-performing standalone IT organisation following the transitional services agreement separation.
• Support organisation design, leadership capability and succession planning initiatives.

Building the Future Digital Organisation

• Help shape and scale a dedicated Global Digital function supporting software, digital products, data and AI capabilities.
• Partner with senior leaders to define future operating models, structures and critical capability requirements.
• Support the growth of global software engineering, solution architecture and digital product teams.
• Drive talent acquisition and workforce plans to support continued expansion.
• Lead people workstreams supporting technology transformation and organisational redesign.
• Coach leaders through change, growth and business evolution.
• Deliver effective change management strategies across global technology programmes.
• Support large-scale organisational transitions and transformation initiatives.

Leadership & Governance

• Provide strategic oversight and coaching to the UK HR team through the UK HR Manager.
• Act as the senior escalation point on complex organisational, talent and employee relations matters.
• Monitor organisational health, engagement and workforce risks.
• Ensure strong governance, compliance and people leadership across the UK organisation.

What We’re Looking For

You will be an experienced HR Director, People Director or senior HR Business Partner with significant exposure to Technology, IT or Digital organisations.

Location: London (Hybrid)

This role is primarily based in our London office, partnering closely with the CIO and senior technology leadership team. Regular travel to our Hemel Hempstead site will be required, particularly during the first few months, to support and oversee the UK HR team. Occasional international travel across Europe and India may also be required.

• Partnering with CIOs, Technology Leaders and Executive stakeholders.
• Supporting global IT, Digital or Technology functions within a matrix organisation.
• Technology transformation, organisational design and workforce planning.
• Scaling technology teams and critical capability areas.
• Leading change and transformation programmes.
• Building talent strategies for specialist technology populations.
• Leading change and transformation programmes.

Highly Desirable

• IT Shared Services or Global Technology Services experience.
• Digital transformation programmes.
• Software, SaaS or technology-enabled businesses.
• Carve-outs, separations or standalone organisation creation.
• Mergers, acquisitions or integration programmes.
• Private Equity backed environments.
• Outsourcing and third-party technology partner management.
• Experience supporting teams across India, Europe and the UK.

We’re looking for a leader with gravitas, credibility and confidence.

You’ll be:

• Able to build strong relationships quickly.
• Commercially minded and outcomes focused.
• Resilient in fast-paced, changing environments.
• Influential without relying on authority.
• Someone who can confidently engage with technical leaders and understand the realities of technology organisations.

This is not a role for someone who needs to learn the technology environment from scratch. We are seeking an HR leader who can immediately add value, speak the language of IT and Digital teams, and act as a trusted partner to the business.

You’ll join at an exciting point in our evolution, helping shape the future of our global technology landscape while building the organisations, talent strategies and leadership capability needed to support long-term growth.

This is a rare opportunity to leave a lasting impact on a global business undergoing significant transformation and investment.

Additional information

Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective.

Join us and work for a world-leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

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