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HR Director - Hybrid, ASHDOWN GROUP
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About the Role
We are seeking a HR Director for our client to take ownership of the UK People strategy and lead the function into its next chapter. This is a genuinely broad, high-impact role. The UK business operates autonomously, often leading international HR initiatives, so you'll have real license to shape the function and make the role your own. You'll be part of the Leadership Team and lead a UK HR team.
While the role is strategic in nature, you'll be working within a flat, hands-on organisation — day-to-day operational tasks are managed by the wider HR team, freeing you up to focus on strategy, culture, and driving change, while staying close enough to the business to know what's really going on. This is a hybrid role based at the company's offices based within commutable distance of Cambridge and Essex.
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Key Responsibilities
- Own and drive the full UK HR strategy end-to-end
- Partner closely with the Global HR function on cross-border projects and initiatives
- Lead, coach, and develop the UK HR team
- Accountable for the delivery of an effective HR function and HR budget
- Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and wider UK leadership team
- Ensuring policies and procedures are designed to get the best out of the organisation's people
- Bring fresh energy and ideas to a business with a diverse leadership team eager to evolve
- Support and engage with a unionised site as part of the wider employee relations remit
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The Successful Candidate
- Previous experience as an HR Director or the ability to step into a director-level role
- Strong working knowledge of UK employment legislation
- Proven experience leading and developing an HR team
- Develop strategies for employee engagement and performance management
- High energy, drive, and genuine enthusiasm for shaping a function and making it your own
- An engineering/manufacturing background would be highly advantageous but not essential
This is a fantastic opportunity with the chance to genuinely shape and own the UK HR agenda. The salary on offer is £80,000 p.a. plus benefits including 25 days holiday, Pension, Life Insurance, and Employee Assistance Program.
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