Head of HR - Aerospace and Defence

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and talented HR professional to join an established and expanding aerospace company, as Head of HR.  Our Client is a successful and fast growing organisation, employing approximately 500 personnel engaged in the design and manufacture of specialised proprietary systems for its global customer base. It is also a member of a well-known international engineering group, operating in 14 countries . Participation in the Sharing in Growth initiative has supported significant corporate growth, in which Employee Engagement has been a vital component.
An experienced HR professional is sought to lead the company’s HR function, comprising a small team of specialist personnel. Key responsibilities include the following:

The Role
 

The Job Holder will be expected to develop a full understanding of the business strategy, including the trajectory of business growth; and design and implement a People Management Program to support the achievement of key objectives and a high- performance culture.

Responsibility for the continuing development of HR Strategy, fully aligned with and supportive of, corporate goals and objectives. Work closely with the Executive and Management Teams  to support Continuous Improvement in the context of empowering teams and individuals towards achieving their full potential.

Employee Engagement is particularly important in the context of this role in terms of productivity and reducing attrition of production personnel, in an area of high employment and considering the implications of the Company’s continued growth
 

Lead and advise on Resource Planning and Talent Acquisition and develop recruitment strategies to attract a diverse range of talent,  as well as Coaching, Development and Support of Line Managers and Team Leaders. Ensuring the organisation has the appropriate  skills to meet its objectives is vital.

Manage Employee Relations within the business, including pay and Conditions of Employment, which will include negotiations with Employee Representatives and also Trade Union officials when required

Develop appropriate Human Resources policy and ensure the correct interpretation and application throughout this dynamic and expanding aerospace manufacturing environment
 

Build relationships with HR colleagues within other Group companies and share knowledge and best practice, as far as is practicable and beneficial

The Person

It is expected that Candidates should be talented and resourceful, with at least 5 years previous experience in an HR lead role and accustomed to taking important decisions and making recommendations regarding key issues, as a self-reliant HR professional.

The Head of HR will be expected to have an excellent grasp of both Corporate and HR Strategy in terms of both formulation and implementation. This should include previous responsibility for the development and deployment of HR Strategy, ideally in a manufacturing environment.

Mature and confident when working with senior managers and directors, maintaining firmness, without being inflexible, as well as being an excellent communicator, able to develop sound relationships and influence senior stakeholders

A capable, independent and supportive people manager with strong teamworking, collaboration and leadership skills, combined with a talent to identify opportunities that may have a commercial impact on the business. This should preferably include developing employee engagement strategies

This is a highly regulated environment with rigorous quality and safety compliance standards and experience within a manufacturing, engineering or assembly environment is important, together with a good knowledge of the requirements and application of Employment Law, as well as Health and Safety Legislation

The person appointed should be comfortable in undertaking and leading formal negotiations with Employee Representative  bodies and / or Trade Unions

Candidates should ideally be qualified to Degree level and hold CIPD Membership by examination, although other relevant qualifications in Human Resource Management will also be considered.

If this superb opportunity is of interest, please forward your full CV in confidence, together with details of current remuneration and availability.

For further information about the Role or an informal chat, please call John Mason on 01332 - 863012