Group Hr Director

HR / Recruitment
Midlothian
May 1, 2026
Permanent
Urgent

Job Description

Group HR Director

  • Lead and develop a high-performing HR function across all Centres of Excellence, including Reward, Talent, L&D, ER, and People Operations
  • Define and execute a forward-looking people strategy aligned to business transformation goals
  • Lead complex change and transformation programmes, ensuring engagement, pace and delivery
  • Oversee and evolve employee relations strategy, including engagement with Trade Unions and European Works Councils
  • Embed a modern, scalable People Operating Model that supports growth, efficiency and consistency
  • Champion inclusive leadership and ensure a culture that enables performance, accountability and progression
  • Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, influencing decision-making at Executive and Board level
  • Drive organisational design, workforce planning and capability development across a multi-site, international environment

Our customer is a highly commercial multi-site international FMCG business with a passion for innovation, customer-centricity and talent development.

Reporting to the CPO, and partnering the regional MD, the People Director will lead a sizeable, multi-disciplinary HR function and act as a true strategic partner to the business. You will play a central role in driving organisational performance, capability and culture across a complex, international footprint.

The organisation is undergoing a sustained period of change, including:

  • Implementation of a new HRIS platform
  • Ongoing M&A activity and divestments
  • Driving operational efficiencies and cost optimisation
  • Designing and embedding a new People Target Operating Model
  • Developing career architecture and progression pathways
  • Evolving reward frameworks and propositions
  • Elevating management and leadership capability

Must be commercially astute, credible and highly experienced HR leader who thrives in complexity and change.

Qualifications

  • Proven experience leading a full-service HR function, spanning all Centres of Excellence
  • A track record of operating at strategic leadership level within a large, multi-site and international environment
  • Deep expertise in Trade Union engagement and negotiation, alongside experience working with European Works Councils
  • Demonstrated success delivering large-scale transformation programmes (e.g., HRIS, TOM design, M&A integration/separation, efficiency drives)
  • Strong organisational design and change leadership capability
  • The ability to balance strategic vision with operational execution
  • Gravitas, resilience and the ability to influence at the most senior levels
  • A leadership style that builds high-performing, engaged and accountable teams

This is a rare opportunity to step into a role with genuine breadth, complexity and impact. You will be part of a leadership team shaping the future of a well-established yet evolving international business.

Benefits

  • A platform to lead transformation at scale
  • The ability to shape and modernise the entire people agenda
  • Exposure to complex, high-value business change
  • The opportunity to build and leave a lasting legacy

Location

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