People and Culture Director

Job Posting Organization:
IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Established to respond to humanitarian crises, IRC UK has approximately 220 employees dedicated to raising awareness, influencing policy changes, and securing funding to restore health, safety, education, and economic well-being to individuals affected by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has expanded its services to provide direct integration support to refugees across the UK. The organization operates in several European countries, including Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, and Poland, reflecting its commitment to addressing the needs of displaced populations across the continent.

Job Overview:
The People and Culture (P&C) Director is a critical leadership role within IRC UK, responsible for managing the HR team and ensuring effective HR service delivery, compliance, and continuous improvement in alignment with the organization’s global people strategy. The Director will work in a highly matrixed environment, collaborating with various functions across the global organization. This position is pivotal in fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture that reflects IRC’s values. The Director will report to both the UK Executive Director and the Regional Director of P&C Europe, while also being accountable to the UK Board’s People and Culture Committee. The role involves localizing global P&C priorities and driving UK-specific initiatives to enhance organizational culture and effectiveness. Success in this role requires exceptional communication skills, the ability to build strong relationships, and the capacity to influence decisions across multiple stakeholder perspectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• P&C Leadership (Advisory, Implementation, and Partnering) - As a member of the UK Senior Management Team, the Director will be accountable for the effective delivery of IRC UK’s Strategic Plan, advising the Executive Director and SMT members on the application of IRC’s Global P&C strategy. This includes supporting talent dialogues, performance conversations, and career development planning, while partnering with senior management on workforce planning and organizational design. The Director will also lead the UK P&C team, ensuring high-quality service delivery and team effectiveness.
• Manage HR Service Delivery and Core Operations - The Director will oversee end-to-end HR service delivery, including recruitment, onboarding, payroll coordination, benefits management, and compliance with UK employment law. This includes providing leadership on HR practices, advising supervisors on disciplinary actions, and managing P&C reporting for the UK Board and People & Culture Committee.
• Workplace Culture - The Director will promote employee experience and engagement, integrating IRC's values across the employee lifecycle. This includes implementing safeguarding standards and advocating for employee wellbeing and inclusion initiatives.
• Trade Union Relationship - The Director will maintain relationships with UK Trade Union representatives, negotiating and consulting on policy and salary reviews, and developing communication plans to foster productive dialogue across the organization.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will be CIPD qualified with significant HR leadership experience across the full spectrum of People and Culture functions. They should possess strong interpersonal and analytical skills, with a proven ability to operate effectively in a complex, global matrix organization. A solution-oriented mindset, strong knowledge of UK employment law, and experience working with Trade Unions are essential. The candidate should also have people management experience and demonstrate a high level of confidentiality, tact, and intercultural communication skills.

Educational Background:
Candidates should possess a relevant degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, along with CIPD qualifications. Advanced training or certifications in HR management or organizational development would be advantageous.

Experience:
Candidates should have extensive experience in HR leadership roles, particularly in managing complex processes such as restructures, TUPE, and employee relations within a global context. Experience in a non-profit or humanitarian organization would be beneficial, as would experience in managing multi-stakeholder projects.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to IRC's operational regions would be considered an asset, enhancing communication with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and based in the UK. The compensation for this role ranges from £58,500 to £69,400 per year, depending on various factors such as labor market conditions, job type, and individual candidate experience. The IRC UK is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from underrepresented groups, including individuals with disabilities. The organization will provide reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities during the application and interview process.