Oliver Sanderson is partnered with an international Utilities organisation to appoint a Head of HR – Central Functions on a 12-month fixed-term contract.
This is a senior HR leadership role, partnering with UK Executive stakeholders across a broad portfolio of central functions and taking ownership for the delivery of high-quality, commercially sound people support across an employee population of approximately 800.
Key responsibilities
- Lead HR for Central Functions, delivering a consistent, high-quality service.
- Build credibility fast with senior leaders—advise, influence and challenge.
- Own complex ER cases; reduce risk and drive robust outcomes.
- Lead and develop the HRBP and HR Advisor; raise capability and pace.
- Design and deliver practical manager training that lands.
- Own the full employee lifecycle: hire, onboard, reward, performance, talent and succession.
- Use data to spot trends and drive targeted people interventions.
- Partner with shared services (HR admin, payroll, pensions) to keep delivery slick.
- Support UK-wide HR projects and working groups; keep momentum and governance.
- Act as trusted deputy to the HR Director; keep them close to priorities and risk.
Skills & experience
- Senior HR leader (Head of HR/equivalent) in a complex, operational environment.
- Confident leader and stakeholder partner at Exec level.
- Strong, current ER expertise—comfortable with high-risk/complex cases.
- Proven experience delivering manager training.
- Thrives in fast-paced, high-volume environments.
- Sharp communicator and presenter; adapts style to audience.
- Data-led and commercially minded—turns insight into action.
- Strong end-to-end lifecycle experience.
- HRIS capability; SAP/SuccessFactors highly relevant.
- Strong MS Office skills.
- Experience working with shared services models.
- Solid project delivery and project management skills.
This is a hybrid role with flexibility for candidates across the UK, with travel to sites and offices as required.
This role has an exciting salary and benefits package on offer.
If this opportunity resonates with your career aspirations and you have the skillset required, apply today.
Oliver Sanderson is an award-winning executive search firm recognised for path-breaking contributions to ED&I and digital recruitment innovation by the House of Lords, Global Recruiter, APSCo, the Recruiter Awards, and in the 2022 Platinum Jubilee Album for a “transformational contribution” to UK business. We specialise in finding talent at board and senior leadership level for FTSE 100, FTSE 350, Fortune 500, and PE-backed businesses.