About the Role:

As Executive Head of People & Culture, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of War Child UK. Reporting into the Executive Team and working closely with the CEO and Directors, you will lead our people strategy, culture and organisational development agenda, ensuring our People Promise supports an engaged, high-performing and values-driven workforce.

Leading an established People & Culture team, you will build-on strong foundations to deliver an exceptional employee experience across the organisation. You will champion innovative and inclusive people practices, drive organisational effectiveness, and ensure our culture enables colleagues to thrive while delivering lasting impact for children affected by conflict.

You will act as the trusted People & Culture adviser to the CEO and Directors, helping to shape organisational strategy, guide complex decision-making and lead organisation-wide change.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced people leader to influence organisation-wide strategy, develop a modern and inclusive people function, and help shape the future workforce of a mission-driven charity.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the development and delivery of War Child UK’s People & Culture strategy, aligned to the organisation’s long-term goals and mission.

Partner with the CEO and Leadership Team to shape organisational culture, workforce planning and future growth.

Develop and embed our People Promise, enhancing employee wellbeing, engagement, attraction and retention.

Lead organisational development, talent management and succession planning initiatives.

Drive modern, inclusive and flexible ways of working that support innovation, wellbeing and performance.

Provide strategic leadership on organisational change and complex people matters.

Ensure compliance with employment law, safeguarding requirements, organisational policies and DEI commitments.

Oversee recruitment, induction, learning and development, leadership capability and performance frameworks.

Lead the development of people systems, data and technology, including the responsible use of AI and emerging tools.

Build trusted relationships across the organisation, providing strategic advice, challenge and support to senior leaders.

Lead and develop the People & Culture team, fostering a collaborative, high-performing and inclusive culture.

Champion safeguarding, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging across the employee lifecycle.

Should you require any support to access the application or interview process or require details of our vacancy in an alternative format please contact Redway HR.

Person specification

About You

We’re looking for a strategic and values-driven People & Culture leader who can combine commercial thinking with a people-centred approach.

You will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience within People & Culture, HR or Organisational Development.
• A proven track record of developing and delivering people strategies that support organisational performance, growth and culture.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law, safeguarding and diversity, equity and inclusion best practice.
• Experience leading organisational change, workforce planning and organisational development initiatives.
• Outstanding relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to work credibly at Executive and Board level.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing people teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, using data and insight to inform decision-making.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive and complex issues with confidence and empathy.
• A commitment to safeguarding, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• A passion for War Child’s mission and values.

Desirable

• CIPD Level 7 qualification (or equivalent).
• Experience within the charity, international development or wider not-for-profit sector.
• Experience of modernising people systems and adopting new technologies, including AI.
• Understanding of safeguarding within international or humanitarian settings.
• Experience developing employer branding, DEI or culture-change initiatives.

Job Benefits

Hybrid working

Enhanced Annual Leave (28 days, rising to 33 days with service, plus public holidays)

Flexible Working Arrangements from Day One

Competitive Pension Contribution

Enhanced Family & Sick Leave

Life Insurance

And many more!