Head of HR UK & Ireland

Job Description

We are partnering with a fast-paced, multi-site leisure business to appoint a Head of HR for the UK & Ireland.

This is a senior HR leadership role, sitting on the UKI senior leadership team and partnering directly with the General Manager and senior functional leaders. While operational in nature, this is not a purely transactional role. It requires a credible, commercially minded HR leader with the gravitas to influence at senior level, shape practical people plans, and lead HR across a complex, multi-site environment.

The role

Reporting to the GM, you will act as the senior HR lead for the UK & Ireland, responsible for both head office and a large operational estate. You will:

• Partner directly with the GM, Ops Director and wider senior leadership team
• Act as a trusted advisor and sounding board at senior level
• Lead and develop a small HR team, including HR Business Partners and coordination support
• Shape and deliver forward-looking people plans aligned to business priorities
• Drive improvements in leadership capability and line manager effectiveness
• Oversee complex ER, restructures, site closures, TUPE and organisational change
• Maintain strong HR governance, ensuring compliance and consistency across the business
• Work closely with Group HR to align with wider frameworks, policies and systems
• Use data and insight to identify trends and proactively address business challenges

This is a role that requires someone who can operate at pace, influence senior stakeholders, and balance hands-on delivery with strategic thinking.

The person

We are looking for a credible, senior HR leader who is comfortable operating at leadership level, while remaining close to the detail. You will bring:

• Proven experience operating at Head of HR level, or equivalent senior HR leadership role within a multi-site environment
• A background in multi-site, customer-facing businesses (e.g. retail, leisure, hospitality or quick service restaurant (QSR) environments)
• The ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders with confidence and credibility
• Strong experience of organisational change, restructures and complex ER
• Experience creating and delivering practical, commercially focused people plans
• Experience leading and developing HR teams in lean environments
• A pragmatic, hands-on approach with strong business acumen
• High levels of resilience, sound judgement and personal credibility

You will be:

• Confident and assertive, with low ego and a collaborative style
• Comfortable navigating strong personalities and complex stakeholder dynamics
• A team player who can operate as a true partner to senior leadership
• Equally comfortable thinking ahead and getting into the detail when required

Why this role

This is a high-impact HR leadership role in a business undergoing ongoing operational and organisational change. You will play a key role in:

• Supporting and influencing the UKI leadership team
• Improving leadership capability across the business
• Embedding effective people practices in a fast-moving environment
• Leading and developing a capable HR team within a lean structure

This role offers genuine visibility, influence and impact, with direct access to senior leadership and the opportunity to shape how HR supports the business going forward.