Overview

Role: People Director (Maternity Cover – Part Time, 12 Months) — 3–4 days per week, hybrid working (London office + remote).

Base pay range: £65,000–£75,000 FTE. This range is provided by Peeq - The HR Recruitment Specialists. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

About our client

Our client is an award-winning organisation in the social and market research industry, helping government, not-for-profit and commercial partners make better decisions that impact society. With over 60 years’ experience, they pride themselves on a human-first culture, flexibility, and a genuine commitment to employee wellbeing and inclusion.

The opportunity

Our client is seeking an experienced People Director to join the leadership team on a 12-month maternity cover basis, starting mid-October. This is a part-time role (3–4 days per week) with hybrid working (London office + remote).

This is a fantastic opportunity to shape and deliver a people strategy that makes a real impact in a values-driven, people-centric organisation.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead and coach a capable People team (3 direct reports + 1 indirect).
• Drive engagement initiatives, including a 4-day working week pilot, enhanced employee voice forums, and continuous appraisal conversations.
• Support the business on Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and wellbeing at work.
• Oversee escalated employee relations cases and provide senior employment law guidance.
• Work closely with senior leadership to ensure HR policy and practice aligns with organisational goals.
• Prepare the business for potential workforce changes under the Employment Rights Bill 2025 (particularly around casual workers).

About you

• Experienced senior HR professional with a track record of operating at Director/SLT level.
• Comfortable balancing strategic leadership with hands-on support.
• Pragmatic, flexible, and able to adapt your approach to the needs of the business.
• Strong employee relations expertise and up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law.
• Ideally experienced in organisations with both a core salaried team and a casual/variable workforce.
• Creative and passionate about building engagement, inclusion, and great employee experiences.
• Immediately available to accommodate a mid-October start (this is non-negotiable).
• Hybrid: Central London office + remote.
• 3–4 days per week (flexible).

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Part-time

Job function

• Human Resources

Industries

• Research Services
• Market Research
• Public Policy Offices