EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY: HR Director, UK & Ireland
Talent Guardian is delighted to be exclusively retained by our prestigious client, a global industry leader, to recruit their new HR Director for UK & Ireland.
About Our Client
Our client is an established international business with a significant presence across the UK and Ireland, employing approximately 1,500 staff across diverse operations. With a mix of unionised and non-unionised environments and a predominantly blue-collar workforce (80%), they're seeking an exceptional HR leader to drive their people agenda forward.
The Position
This senior leadership role reports directly to the Managing Director and will be responsible for developing and implementing the people strategy across the UK & Ireland region. The successful candidate will lead a team of HR Business Partners and functional specialists across resourcing, training, and HR shared services.
Key Responsibilities
Provide strategic HR leadership across multiple business units in a matrix structure
Lead and develop regional HRBP teams and specialist HR functions
Work collaboratively with Regional SMEs to balance strategic initiatives with operational requirements
Drive workforce engagement through innovative people practices
Navigate complex employee relations in unionised environments
Design and implement talent attraction and retention strategies
Advise the senior leadership team on all people-related matters
Required Experience
Proven track record as a Senior HR Manager in a diverse, multi-disciplined matrix organisation
Extensive experience managing HR teams and developing HR talent
Strong background in employee/industrial relations, particularly in blue-collar, unionised settings
Demonstrable success in handling complex ER/IR issues and escalations
Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills at all levels
Experience operating in multicultural environments
Commercial acumen with the ability to align people strategies with business objectives
This is a rare opportunity to join a growing organisation with a genuine commitment to people development.
Our client offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience.