Job Title: Head of People (Edgewing)
Location: Warton. On commencement you will immediately be assigned to our Edgewing JV. A financial support package may be available to enable this assignment if required, dependent on certain criteria being met. Due to the nature of this assignment, we envisage there will be a need for mostly on site working, however, flexible working arrangements may be possible. There is a Hybrid Working Policy in place at Edgewing – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this role.
Salary: £77,000+ Dependent of skills and experience
Who we are:
Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.
From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.
Job Description:
The Head of People for Edgewing Global Site at Warton plays a critical leadership role in shaping and delivering the local people strategy, ensuring full alignment with Edgewing’s mission, values, and overarching business objectives. This position holds end-to-end accountability for the employee lifecycle at a national level, driving a high-performance culture rooted in excellence, inclusivity, and full compliance with UK employment legislation, in close partnership with the central Edgewing People function.
A key differentiator of this role is to support the establishment of a new trinational organisation and stand up of the UK global site operation for Edgewing. The role will be instrumental in organisation design during a dynamic start-up phase. This is a unique opportunity to influence both foundational HR strategy and future-focused organisational capability, operating at the intersection of innovation, transformation, and international collaboration.
Core duties:
- Working in partnership with the General Manager, with responsibility for mobilising Edgewing UK Global site operations
- Leading the transition from organisational design into operational implementation
- Playing a key role in fostering and embedding Edgewings culture and values within a trinational operating environment
- Ensure effective alignment and integration of partner organisation people policies at a day to day level, while following the overall Edgewing people strategy and approach
- Define and implement (where necessary) the national strategies for all people policies within the UK Global Site in line with the overall defined Edgewing people strategies, process and policies
- Oversee the management of employee relations within the UK Global Site, ensuring effective coordination with trade unions and compliance with employee guidelines
Essential Skills:
- Proven capability working within stand-up or joint venture (JV) organisations, contributing to the establishment, integration, and successful operation of new or evolving business entities
- Solid commercial HR acumen, demonstrated through impactful business partnering, aligning people strategy with organisational goals to drive performance, growth, and measurable business outcomes
- Significant experience working across international and multicultural environments, with the ability to lead, influence, and collaborate effectively across diverse cultures and global teams
- Extensive experience operating within unionised environments, with ample experience of building effective relationships with trade unions and navigating complex employee relations landscapes
The Edgewing Team
By joining Edgewing, you will have a unique opportunity to help shape the company from the ground up — setting the foundations for generations to come, influencing how we work, and helping us build something world-class together. At Edgewing, we’re united by a shared purpose to drive what’s next in defence – uniting UK, Italian, and Japanese expertise to shape the future of global defence. With trust at the heart of everything we do, we empower our people to dare to go beyond, bring their best as one, and leave a mark that matters on a truly global mission, making a lasting impact through work that truly matters..
Why BAE Systems?
Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.
A place where everyone can thrive:
We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.
Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.
Closing Date: 9th June 2026
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
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