People Director

Manchester
£90,000 per year
Permanent
Full-time

1 month ago
Apply easily

We're partnering with a high-growth client on a pivotal, first-time strategic People hire - an exciting opportunity to shape and develop a best-in-class People strategy from the ground up.This is an exciting opportunity to become the business's first People Director, leading both strategy and delivery during a transformative period. As part of the senior leadership team, the successful candidate will be responsible for designing and delivering a People strategy that scales with the business.You'll lead a small team and act as a trusted partner to leaders across multiple international locations. This is a hands-on leadership role suited to someone who can confidently balance strategic planning with operational delivery.Key Responsibilities

Develop and execute a scalable People strategy to support both organic growth and M&A activity
Lead on organisational design, workforce planning and leadership development
Embed a strong approach to talent development, learning and succession planning
Shape reward, recognition, and performance frameworks
Integrate newly acquired teams, while preserving and evolving company culture
Strengthen internal communications and employer brand globally
Ensure alignment between people practices and commercial outcomes
Lead and coach a small People team, fostering capability, confidence, and collaboration
Oversee People Operations-ensuring consistency, compliance, and quality across all regions
Drive talent acquisition with a focus on quality of hire and candidate experience
Deliver learning and development programmes for technical and behavioural growth
Use people data to inform decision-making and produce relevant board-level reporting
Lead change and transformation projects, including systems and structural change
Act as a trusted advisor to leaders, building engagement and trust across regions

First-time strategic appointmentHigh growth international organisation, on a steep curve and exciting changeWe're looking for a seasoned People leader with experience operating at a senior level within creative, digital, or fast-paced, high-growth environments.You'll bring a strong track record of shaping and delivering people strategies that support both organic growth and acquisition activity, ideally within complex or scaling businesses. You'll have deep expertise across organisational design, talent development, and cultural transformation, underpinned by excellent knowledge of UK employment law and a strong ability to manage complex employee relations.A background in employment law would be a distinct advantage. Your style will be inclusive, pragmatic and commercially focused, with the confidence to operate credibly at board level and influence senior stakeholders.You'll be a natural relationship-builder with a collaborative, people-first approach and a clear, effective communication style. With experience of leading across multi-site, international organisations, you'll understand how to drive consistency while respecting local nuance and building trust across cultures.Our customer is a fast-growing tech and digital business with a global presence across the UK, Europe, the Americas and Asia. Formed through the integration of multiple high-performing teams, they deliver creative, data-led brand experiences for global clients. With significant investment and ambitious growth plans - including international expansion and M&A - this is a pivotal time to join and shape the future of their People function.This role offers a salary of £90,000 to £100,000 per annum (dependent on experience), plus a performance related bonus, and a suite of benefits.

Michael Page