Head of People and Talent Development

Head of People & Talent Development

About the Opportunity

Our client is a global, high-growth professional services business with a strong, values-led culture. As they continue to scale internationally, they are seeking an experienced Head of People & Talent Development to lead their global People, HR, and Learning & Development function.

This is a rare, broad-scope role for a senior HR leader who combines strategic influence at Board and C-suite level with genuine hands-on capability in coaching, leadership development, and talent growth. You will shape the People agenda end-to-end - from organisational design and culture through to building the leaders of tomorrow.

The Role

Reporting to the COO/CFO and supported by a Senior HR Advisor, you will own the full People Strategy and its delivery across all regions, spanning HR operations, talent acquisition, workforce planning, and organisational development, alongside a senior, coaching-led approach to leadership and talent growth.

People Strategy & Culture

• Define and execute a global People Strategy aligned to business growth, with a particular focus on change management
• Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO, COO/CFO, and Senior Leadership Team on organisational design, leadership capability, culture, and workforce planning
• Provide strategic oversight of HR operations, policy, and compliance across all regions
• Champion an inclusive, values-driven culture, embedding meaningful and measurable DEI initiatives into everyday operations
• Drive engagement programmes and foster transparent communication between employees and leadership

HR Operations & Employee Experience

• Lead end-to-end HR operations: onboarding, performance, progression, compensation, and offboarding
• Maintain compliant, up-to-date global People policies with appropriate regional flexibility
• Design and deliver a best-in-class employee experience, defining the key "Moments That Matter" across the lifecycle
• Build robust employee feedback mechanisms and use data to drive continuous improvement

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

• Lead internal recruitment strategy, improving hiring processes and manager capability
• Partner with the Senior Leadership Team to forecast hiring needs and build proactive workforce plans
• Set global standards for job design, evaluation, and internal mobility

Leadership Development & Coaching

• Design and lead a senior leadership development strategy, using coaching as a core lever for capability building at leadership and management level
• Provide direct, senior-level coaching and mentoring to leaders and high-potential talent, supporting their growth and performance
• Build scalable frameworks for leadership and management development, blending internal expertise with external partners where needed
• Champion a coaching culture across the business, embedding performance development and continuous improvement as a leadership priority
• Measure the effectiveness of development and coaching interventions through capability uplift, performance outcomes, and retention

Data, Systems & Reporting

• Champion best-practice use of people systems and technology, ensuring strong data integrity and accountability
• Produce and present regular reporting to the Board on key people metrics and strategic initiatives
• Track and report on engagement, retention, and development outcomes to inform ongoing strategy

About You

Essential:

• Senior HR/People leadership experience gained within a global, high-growth, or professional services environment
• A track record of leading People, HR, and L&D functions at a strategic level
• Demonstrable experience designing and delivering senior leadership development and coaching programmes - this is a hands-on as well as strategic role
• Strong knowledge of employment law across multiple regions (UK, EMEA, US, and/or APAC)
• Experience leading culture, performance framework, and leadership development transformation
• CIPD, coaching, or equivalent professional qualification
• Confident and credible operating at C-suite and Board level, with strong commercial acumen

Desirable:

• Experience within a purpose- or values-led organisation (e.g. B Corp)
• Prior experience within the recruitment or professional services sector

What You'll Bring

• The ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on delivery
• A commercial, pragmatic mindset paired with genuine strategic thinking
• High emotional intelligence and strong relationship-building skills
• Excellent communication, influencing, and coaching ability
• Expertise in change management and modern People operations
• High self-awareness and a role-model approach to leadership
• Learning agility, curiosity, and a growth mindset