Head of People Services (Interim)
Salary: £60,000 - £64,000 per annum (pro rata)
Contract: Fixed-Term Contract, 3 Months (with potential extension up to 6 months)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: Bolton / Hybrid Working
Start Date: Immediate
Join Bolton Cares as Interim Head of People Services
Bolton Cares is seeking an experienced, influential and commercially minded HR leader to join us as our Interim Head of People Services.
This is an exciting opportunity for a senior HR professional to make an immediate impact during a period of organisational development and continuous improvement.
Reporting to the Director of People, you will provide leadership across the People Services function, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, responsive and commercially focused HR service across the organisation.
This role is offered on an initial three-month fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension for up to six months based on organisational requirements.
About the Role
As Head of People Services, you will be responsible for leading and enhancing the operational HR function, ensuring services are efficient, compliant, customer-focused and aligned with organisational priorities.
Working closely with senior leaders, managers, recognised Trade Unions and colleagues across the organisation, you will provide pragmatic and commercially sound solutions to complex people challenges while managing organisational risk and fostering positive employee relations.
This role is ideally suited to an individual with proven experience of leading, improving and transforming operational HR services, who can quickly assess current ways of working, implement meaningful improvements and strengthen service delivery across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the People Services function, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality HR service across the organisation.
- Provide visible leadership and support to a team of HR professionals, ensuring effective performance, development and service delivery.
- Act as the senior HR lead for complex and sensitive employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, attendance and dismissal cases.
- Provide expert advice and guidance to senior leaders and managers on employment law, organisational risk and HR best practice.
- Lead on the management and resolution of complex people issues, ensuring legal compliance and commercially sound decision-making.
- Develop positive and constructive relationships with recognised Trade Unions and staff representatives.
- Use people data, trends and insight to identify risks and opportunities, informing decision-making and continuous improvement.
- Review and strengthen HR policies, procedures and frameworks to support organisational effectiveness.
- Lead and support initiatives that improve, modernise and transform operational HR service delivery.
- Support the Director of People in delivering key organisational priorities and People Strategy objectives.
About You
We are seeking a confident, credible and solutions-focused HR leader who can quickly establish trust, build strong relationships and add value in an interim environment.
Essential Experience
- Significant experience in a senior HR leadership role such as Head of HR, Head of People Services.
- Proven experience of leading, developing, improving and transforming operational HR services.
- Strong employee relations background, with extensive experience managing complex and high-risk casework.
- Significant experience working with recognised Trade Unions and employee representatives, with the ability to build constructive and effective relationships.
- Excellent knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
- Experience leading and developing HR teams.
- Ability to influence, challenge and advise senior stakeholders with confidence and credibility.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience using people data and insight to drive improvements.
Qualifications
- CIPD Level 5 qualification (minimum requirement).
- CIPD Level 7 or equivalent experience desirable.
Why Bolton Cares?
At Bolton Cares, people are at the heart of everything we do. Our THRIVE values guide our behaviours, decisions and culture, ensuring we provide high-quality support to our communities and a positive working environment for our colleagues.
This opportunity would be particularly well suited to an experienced HR leader who is immediately available or on a short notice period and seeking their next opportunity. We are looking for someone who can quickly build credibility, provide strong operational leadership and make a meaningful impact from day one while helping to shape, improve and transform our People Services function.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a values-driven organisation, lead an important service, and play a key role in delivering positive change during a significant period of development.
Apply Now
If you are an experienced HR leader with a strong employee relations and trade union background, a proven track record of improving and transforming HR services, and are available to start at short notice, we'd love to hear from you.
Join Bolton Cares and help us deliver an outstanding People Services function that supports our colleagues to thrive
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
At Bolton Cares, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and supportive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to achieve their full potential. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and communities, and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer.
Pay: £60,000.00-£64,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bolton BL2 2LW
