Oakleaf Partnership
Head of People and Talent Development
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Head of People & Talent Development
About the Opportunity
Our client is a global, high-growth professional services business with a strong, values-led culture. As they continue to scale internationally, they are seeking an experienced Head of People & Talent Development to lead their global People, HR, and Learning & Development function.
This is a rare, broad-scope role for a senior HR leader who combines strategic influence at Board and C-suite level with genuine hands-on capability in coaching, leadership development, and talent growth. You will shape the People agenda end-to-end - from organisational design and culture through to building the leaders of tomorrow.
The Role
Reporting to the COO/CFO and supported by a Senior HR Advisor, you will own the full People Strategy and its delivery across all regions, spanning HR operations, talent acquisition, workforce planning, and organisational development, alongside a senior, coaching-led approach to leadership and talent growth.
People Strategy & Culture
- Define and execute a global People Strategy aligned to business growth, with a particular focus on change management
- Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO, COO/CFO, and Senior Leadership Team on organisational design, leadership capability, culture, and workforce planning
- Provide strategic oversight of HR operations, policy, and compliance across all regions
- Champion an inclusive, values-driven culture, embedding meaningful and measurable DEI initiatives into everyday operations
- Drive engagement programmes and foster transparent communication between employees and leadership
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HR Operations & Employee Experience
- Lead end-to-end HR operations: onboarding, performance, progression, compensation, and offboarding
- Maintain compliant, up-to-date global People policies with appropriate regional flexibility
- Design and deliver a best-in-class employee experience, defining the key "Moments That Matter" across the lifecycle
- Build robust employee feedback mechanisms and use data to drive continuous improvement
Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning
- Lead internal recruitment strategy, improving hiring processes and manager capability
- Partner with the Senior Leadership Team to forecast hiring needs and build proactive workforce plans
- Set global standards for job design, evaluation, and internal mobility
Leadership Development & Coaching
- Design and lead a senior leadership development strategy, using coaching as a core lever for capability building at leadership and management level
- Provide direct, senior-level coaching and mentoring to leaders and high-potential talent, supporting their growth and performance
- Build scalable frameworks for leadership and management development, blending internal expertise with external partners where needed
- Champion a coaching culture across the business, embedding performance development and continuous improvement as a leadership priority
- Measure the effectiveness of development and coaching interventions through capability uplift, performance outcomes, and retention
Data, Systems & Reporting
- Champion best-practice use of people systems and technology, ensuring strong data integrity and accountability
- Produce and present regular reporting to the Board on key people metrics and strategic initiatives
- Track and report on engagement, retention, and development outcomes to inform ongoing strategy
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About You
Essential:
- Senior HR/People leadership experience gained within a global, high-growth, or professional services environment
- A track record of leading People, HR, and L&D functions at a strategic level
- Demonstrable experience designing and delivering senior leadership development and coaching programmes - this is a hands-on as well as strategic role
- Strong knowledge of employment law across multiple regions (UK, EMEA, US, and/or APAC)
- Experience leading culture, performance framework, and leadership development transformation
- CIPD, coaching, or equivalent professional qualification
- Confident and credible operating at C-suite and Board level, with strong commercial acumen
Desirable:
- Experience within a purpose- or values-led organisation (e.g. B Corp)
- Prior experience within the recruitment or professional services sector
What You'll Bring
- The ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on delivery
- A commercial, pragmatic mindset paired with genuine strategic thinking
- High emotional intelligence and strong relationship-building skills
- Excellent communication, influencing, and coaching ability
- Expertise in change management and modern People operations
- High self-awareness and a role-model approach to leadership
- Learning agility, curiosity, and a growth mindset
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