Head of Human Resources UK at HDR Canada

London, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

20 Mar, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

20 Dec, 25

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Strategic HR Leadership, Employee Relations, Compensation, Benefits, Payroll, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Learning, Development, Recruitment, Coaching, Mentoring, Project Management, Employment Law, Stakeholder Management, HR Best Practices

Industry

Design Services

Description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story' Each and every role throughout our organisation makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world. About the Role As the Head of HR you will have the opportunity to provide strategic HR leadership and operational oversight for HDR offices across the UK. This role partners closely with local management and maintains an indirect reporting relationship with HDR’s Corporate HR team. The Head of HR (UK) is accountable for leading a high-performing HR team that delivers accurate, timely, and compliant services across the employee lifecycle. The remit spans all HR disciplines, including Reward and Payroll, Wellbeing, Recruitment, Leadership and Talent Development, and Training. About You We are seeking a strategic and commercially astute HR leader with a strong track record of shaping people strategies that enable organisational growth and performance. You bring deep expertise across the full HR lifecycle and are confident operating at senior leadership level, influencing stakeholders and partnering with the business to deliver meaningful change. You combine a strong grasp of employment law, governance, and best practice with a pragmatic, solutions-focused mindset. Comfortable balancing strategy with hands-on delivery, you know when to lead from the front and when to empower others. You are a trusted advisor, an effective coach, and a visible leader who champions inclusion, wellbeing, and high-performance culture. With excellent judgement, credibility, and emotional intelligence, you thrive in complex environments and are motivated by building engaged, capable teams that make a real impact. In the role of Head of HR (UK) we'll count on you to: Primary Responsibilities Deliver a first-class HR service that is accurate, timely, and aligned with business objectives. Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on all people-related matters. Support Area Managers and Managing Principals in the fair and consistent interpretation of HDR policies and procedures; consult with HR Director EMEA/APAC as required. Partner with senior leadership to implement HDR’s strategic plan. Represent HR at operational leadership meetings, global HR summits, and business group conferences. Develop and implement attraction and resourcing strategies to support growth objectives. Ensure HR policies and processes comply with UK legislation and global standards, delivering fit-for-purpose solutions that align with company culture. Lead and develop a team of HR professionals, focusing on capability building through coaching and mentoring. Drive continuous improvement by leveraging technology and enhancing user experience. Build people manager capability in HR best practice and process compliance. Develop and report on HR metrics to measure success and inform decision-making. Champion cultural transformation and employee engagement initiatives. Oversee HR aspects of international staff mobilisation. Employee Relations Oversee ER case management, ensuring efficiency, commercial awareness, and employee care. Act as escalation point for complex ER issues, providing expert advice on discipline, grievance, and performance matters. Collaborate with HR Director EMEA/APAC, Country Director of Operations, and Corporate HR to resolve cases and prevent escalation. Liaise with HR Chief Counsel as required. Ensure consistent application of performance management processes and proactively address underperformance through developmental approaches. Compensation, Benefits & Payroll Partner with Payroll, Compensation, and Benefits teams to manage annual remuneration reviews and conduct salary and benefits benchmarking. Support Corporate Compensation and local team in driving the Reward agenda to attract, engage, and retain top talent. Ensure compliance with UK legislation and internal policies in all compensation and benefits practices. Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Lead and embed HDR’s IDE strategy across UK operations, ensuring alignment with global objectives. Promote an inclusive culture that values diversity and equity in all aspects of employment. Partner with leadership to implement initiatives that attract, retain, and develop diverse talent. Monitor and report on IDE metrics, ensuring compliance with UK legislation and best practice. Act as a role model and advocate for IDE principles, driving awareness and accountability at all levels Learning & Development Partner with managers to identify skills gaps and create targeted development plans. Partner to lead initiatives to build leadership capability, including coaching, mentoring, and succession planning programs. Collaborate with global L&OD teams and Local L&OD lead to deliver innovative learning solutions, including digital platforms and blended learning approaches. Oversee the development and delivery of technical and soft skills training to enhance workforce capability. Promote a culture of continuous learning and professional development across the organization Partner and help manage and monitor the annual training budget. Recruitment Partner with recruiters to manage requisitions and coordinate immigration requirements. Oversee all aspects of employee onboarding and offboarding to ensure a seamless experience. Participate in interview panels as required, contributing to fair and consistent selection processes. General HR Functions Maintain accurate employee records and process personnel actions using corporate systems. Ensure timely completion of employee documentation. Respond to policy and procedure queries, including complex matters. Coordinate compensation market studies and wellness activities. Provide guidance on benefit plans and escalate complex queries to Compensation and Benefits. #LI-KK2 Required Qualifications Proven previous experience in a similar role. Previous experience managing teams. Proficiency with MS Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel. Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong client service orientation. Strong interpersonal and organizational skills with the ability to build effective relationships. Degree educated or equivalent, with CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma or Master’s qualification. Substantial HR generalist experience with excellent knowledge of Employment Law, HR policy, processes, and best practice. Experience mobilizing international staff with the right skills, experience, and knowledge. Experience working with a flexible workforce, including self-employed contractors, and understanding of IR35 compliance standards. Strong people management skills with a proven record of building HR capability and supporting professional development. Strong project management skills and a results-focused, ‘can-do’ mindset. Ability to work comfortably in an agile environment and make rapid decisions in a fast-moving company. Leadership-level knowledge of HR systems, particularly those focused on payroll, recruitment, and the employee lifecycle. Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment. Self-motivated, well-organized, and detail-oriented. Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with integrity. A positive attitude and commitment to actively participate in our employee-owned culture. Preferable to have industry experience. What We Believe HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve. Our Commitment As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day. Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

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Responsibilities

The Head of HR (UK) will provide strategic HR leadership and operational oversight for HDR offices across the UK, ensuring the delivery of accurate and compliant HR services. This role includes acting as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and leading a high-performing HR team.