Head of Performance, Talent and Succession

Licensed sponsor London Full-time Posted 2 hours ago

Are you ready to chart your own career path? With our refreshed strategy, we’re building on our rich heritage and transforming our business to be more scalable and efficient, unlocking the capabilities needed for future success. This includes significantly investing in technology, streamlining the way we work and creating an environment where colleagues feel engaged, empowered and accountable; where they can show up, speak up and perform - because we believe in the difference our work makes.

At a glance

Location: Cirencester Office
Workplace Type: Hybrid
Employment Type: Permanent
Seniority: Mid-Senior Level

About the role

We're seeking an exceptional Head of Talent & Organisational Performance to lead St. James's Place's enterprise approach to organisational capability, talent, succession and performance. Reporting to the Director of Organisational Development and operating as a member of the Organisational Development Leadership Team, this role is at the heart of SJP’s preparation for future growth.

This is a highly visible enterprise leadership role with regular exposure to Executive Committee members and Board governance forums. You will bring insight and experience to shape the strategy and supporting frameworks and governance to inform some of SJP’s most important decisions about leadership continuity, workforce readiness, organisational capability and succession risk.

This role is broader than traditional talent management. Success depends on your ability to connect organisational strategy, workforce capability, talent development, succession governance and performance enablement to strengthen organisational effectiveness and long-term business performance. Supported by a small specialist team, and working closely with colleagues across the People function, you will deliver outcomes and drive change through your expertise, relationships and enterprise leadership and engagement in governance.

What you'll be doing: Organisational Capability

Define and evolve SJP's approach to organisational capability.
Identify future capability requirements needed to deliver strategic priorities.
Assess capability strengths, gaps and emerging organisational risks, translating insight into action.
Oversee career frameworks and talent pathways that strengthen internal mobility and organisational resilience.

Talent strategy & governance

Shape and implement SJP's enterprise talent strategy and philosophy.
Establish governance frameworks that support consistent, evidence-based talent decisions.
Build approaches that identify, develop and retain critical talent and leadership capability.
Apply external research, behavioural science and emerging technologies to enhance talent outcomes.

Executive succession and talent risk

Own the enterprise succession planning framework across executive, leadership and critical specialist populations.
Provide oversight of successor readiness, leadership pipeline strength and succession risk.
Establish robust governance, assurance and reporting mechanisms for succession activities.
Support GEC and Board discussions through high-quality insight and recommendations.

Performance & organisational effectiveness

Shape SJP's enterprise approach to performance enablement and organisational effectiveness.
Ensure alignment between business priorities, capability development and performance practices.
Use insight and evidence to strengthen accountability and sustainable high performance.
Identify opportunities to improve the organisational conditions that enable people and teams to succeed.

Workforce intelligence & insight

Shape SJP’s workforce, talent and capability insight and how we use it across the organisation.
Leverage people analytics, behavioural science and market insights to inform strategic decisions
Translate workforce data into meaningful recommendations for senior leaders
Use evidence to inform strategic people and organisational decisions

Leadership & stakeholder management

Act as a trusted adviser to Executive Committee members, senior leaders and People Partners.
Prepare high-quality reports and Board-level papers that are fluent, succinct and grounded in evidence.
Build strong partnerships across the People function to deliver integrated organisational outcomes.
Influence enterprise decision-making through expertise, challenge and insight.
Contribute as a senior leader within the Organisational Development leadership team.

About you

We're looking for a strategic and commercially minded leader with substantial experience operating at a senior level within talent, organisational development or workforce capability functions.

Essential Criteria

Significant experience in a senior Talent, Organisational Development, Learning, or People leadership role.
Proven track record of developing and delivering talent and organisational performance strategies that support business objectives.
Significant experience in succession planning, talent management, and performance management.
Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and challenge senior leaders and executive teams.
Experience using people data, insights, and metrics to inform decision-making and measure effectiveness.
Ability to influence senior stakeholders and governance forums without formal authority
Experience operating within complex, highly regulated organisations
Proven ability to lead and develop specialist teams.
Excellent communication, facilitation, and advisory skills.
Strong project and programme management capabilities, with experience delivering complex people initiatives.
Relevant graduate or post-graduate-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.

Desirable Criteria

Experience working in or with financial services organisations
Chartered Member/Fellow of the CIPD or equivalent professional qualification.
Knowledge of organisational effectiveness, workforce planning, and employee engagement methodologies.
Experience designing and implementing talent review and succession frameworks.
Experience supporting executive leadership and board-level talent discussions.
Knowledge of psychometric assessment tools and leadership assessment methodologies.
Experience managing external suppliers, consultants, and development partners.
Understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles within talent and organisational development strategies.
Experience implementing or optimising talent management and performance technology platforms.

What's in it for you?

Whatever stage of life you're in, our benefits are designed to provide the support, flexibility, and peace of mind you need to thrive both at work and beyond.

In addition to our discretionary annual bonus scheme, which reflects both individual and company performance, you'll benefit from a market-leading benefits package tailored to support your wellbeing, financial security, and family life.

Our benefits include

28 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days.
Private Medical Insurance – company-funded cover for you and your immediate family
Generous Pension Scheme – a non-contributory employer contribution of 10%, increasing with length of service up to 15%, plus the opportunity to increase this through salary sacrifice
Enhanced Parental Leave – up to 26 weeks' full pay to support growing families.
Protection Benefits – company-funded critical illness cover, income protection, and life assurance
EV salary sacrifice scheme through Tusker

Reasonable Adjustments We're an equal opportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive for all, if you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stage please let us know by emailing us at careers@sjp.co.uk

Research tells us that applicants (especially those from underrepresented groups) can be put off from applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been on an extended career-break. If you think you would be a good match for this role and can demonstrate some transferable experience please apply, regardless of whether you tick every box.

What's next?

If you're excited about this role and believe you have the skills and experience we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you! Please submit an application by clicking ‘apply’ below and our team will be in touch.

As a business regulated by the FCA we would advise you to familiarise yourself with the conduct regulations and in particular consumer duty obligations prior to an interview with SJP.