Role Overview

The Head of HR is responsible for leading the organisation’s HR function in a fair, supportive and inclusive manner. The role requires an experienced HR generalist who works as part of the wider Corporate Services team and reports to the Director of Development and Corporate Services. There will be interoperability and collaboration with the Chief of Staff who also works on some areas of HR, including policies, employee engagement and general staff support.  There is also collaboration with the Executive Office Manager who provides support on annual leave and wellbeing.

Reporting to: Director of Development and Corporate Services

Salary range: £74,100 - £80,100 per annum range (FTE), depending on experience.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Recruitment and New Starters

• Lead the recruitment process, including but not limited to:
  • Advising hiring managers on the JD, recruitment process and terms of contract and salary
  • Manage applications, interview process, panels, and candidate feedback
• Draw up employment contracts and coordinate the induction programme for new staff
• Manage relationships with Employer of Record agencies
• Undertake exit interviews for departing staff, collating thematic information for the Senior Management Team (SMT)

Reward and Recognition

• Provide monthly data to Finance for staff payroll and work to resolve any queries
• Coordinate staff benefits schemes, including managing provider relationships
• Oversight of management of sick, toil and annual leave records for staff
• Provide annual pay review research and provide guidance to SMT on remuneration

Policies, Procedures and Regulatory Compliance

• Lead on the maintenance of the Staff Handbook and staff HR policies, working with an external HR support agency
• Monitor HR law and policy developments and proactively suggest changes or improvements to the SMT
• Ensure job descriptions and contracts remain current and are updated as required
• Maintain employee records

Performance Management

• Manage the appraisal cycle including the gathering of 360 feedback
• Together with the Chief of Staff and, on occasions, an external provider, deliver and design staff workshops and training
• Support managers with their staff’s personal development needs, working collaboratively with the Chief of Staff to provide advice, support and guidance to line managers on staffing issues

Employee Engagement and Relations

• Monitor staff morale, mental health and welfare needs
• Advise on a wide range of individual employee matters and requests (including flexible working, parental leave etc.), and be one of the first points of contact for HR queries
• Communicate effectively with all staff and maintain the HR function as an accessible and fair function within the organisation

General

• Be responsible for ensuring that all employees are fairly represented and there is a consistent approach in all HR policies and organisational HR decisions
• Be a thought partner to SMT on a wide variety of organisational matters, offering an HR lens and insight
• Lead on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, ensuring it is proactively factored into all elements of the employee experience
• Assist with other tasks as required, ensuring the smooth running of HR operations

Person Specification:

Experience and Skills

• Experienced HR generalist with significant previous experience (9-10 years) of leading a wide range of HR processes, policies and of supporting employees across a broad range of HR issues
• Proven ability to propose and implement organisational wide HR initiatives and of influencing and working with senior teams
• Excellent technical knowledge and understanding of employment law and regulations
• Demonstrable experience of recruiting and working with employees based overseas
• Experience of advising an SMT on remuneration processes
• Able to prioritise and manage concurrent deadlines
• Diplomatic telephone manner and excellent communication skills
• Ability to multi-task, remaining flexible and willing to take on tasks as requested
• Ability to work as part of a team, as well as on own initiative

Behavioural

• Self-motivated, resourceful and able to work under pressure and react quickly and calmly during difficult situations
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Dependable, reliable, discreet, trustworthy and affable
• A strong personal commitment to the mission and values of The Elders
• A flexible style and willingness to work in a small, collaborative team
• This role will not involve any international travel. You may be required to attend staff or Elders events in the UK from time to time.

Working at The Elders

The Elders operate a hybrid working policy. We ask staff to attend the office based on need, not a quota of days. We believe there are certain activities that are best conducted in person and also hold monthly “in days” when the whole team comes together. Flexibility is required and you may at times need to be in the office at short notice. You may be required to attend staff or Elders events in the UK from time to time. Travel costs from home to the office are not covered by The Elders. The office is based close to Green Park tube station in London.

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer the following benefits:

• Private pension scheme with 10% employer contributions 
• Optional private medical and dental insurance 
• Group life assurance equivalent to 5 x annual salary 
• 28 days of paid annual leave (with 3 of these days on stipulated dates between the Christmas/New Year holidays) plus all England and Wales public holidays 
• Enhanced parental leave
• Employee Assistance Programme

The Application Process

The application process is CV and cover letter sent to Kirsten Myers: [email protected]

The cover letter should be no more than two pages and include:

• Assessment of how your skills and experience match the job profile and person specification and any areas requiring further development
• An example of when you have led a significant HR process involving a staff member

The closing date is 5pm on Thursday 8th January 2026.

Candidates shortlisted to interview will be notified by 12/13th January. First stage interviews will take place 16th January by Teams, with a second stage interview held in person on 23rd January.

The Elders is committed to creating an inclusive working environment that values diversity and equal opportunities.  We welcome and encourage applicants of any ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. As we are not able to sponsor visas, all applicants must have the right to work in the country where the role they are applying for is based. We will assess purely on your abilities and fit for a role. We are happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a fair recruitment process and to enable you to be successful in your role if selected.