People Lead (HR & People Management Focus)
Location: Barrow-in-Furness (Hybrid – 3 days onsite, 2 days remote)
Duration: 6-Month Contract
Rate: Competitive Daily Rate
Security Clearance: Active SC Clearance Required
Overview
We are seeking an experienced People Lead to join a growing delivery function operating within a complex and highly regulated environment. This role is heavily focused on people leadership, employee engagement, performance management, workforce planning, and stakeholder relationship management.
The successful candidate will be responsible for creating a positive employee experience, supporting managers and teams through people-related challenges, and ensuring individuals are developed, supported, and positioned for success. This role requires a strong HR mindset combined with excellent coaching, mentoring, and leadership capabilities.
Please note: Active SC (Security Cleared) status is an essential requirement for this position.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and support employee performance reviews, development discussions, career planning, and succession activities.
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing culture that drives engagement, motivation, and retention.
- Provide guidance and support on employee relations matters, facilitating difficult conversations and driving positive outcomes.
- Partner with managers and stakeholders to address people challenges and implement effective solutions.
- Act as a trusted escalation point for workforce planning, resource allocation, performance concerns, and team-related matters.
- Support recruitment activities, onboarding processes, and talent acquisition initiatives to ensure teams have the right skills and capabilities.
- Coach and mentor managers and employees, promoting continuous development and professional growth.
- Identify opportunities to improve people processes, employee experience, and overall organisational effectiveness.
- Facilitate meetings and workshops aimed at resolving concerns, promoting best practice, and supporting successful team outcomes.
- Monitor resource utilisation and workforce costs, ensuring effective people planning and budget management.
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Active SC Clearance (must be currently valid).
- Proven experience in a People Lead, HR Business Partner, Employee Relations, Talent Management, or People Management role.
- Strong experience supporting employee performance, engagement, development, and wellbeing initiatives.
- Demonstrable experience managing complex people-related issues and employee relations matters.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at all levels of an organisation.
- Experience leading and supporting diverse, multi-disciplinary teams with competing priorities.
- Strong coaching and mentoring capabilities.
- Effective conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills.
- Financial awareness and experience supporting workforce planning and resource management.
Desirable
- Experience working within technology, engineering, or professional services environments.
- Knowledge of End User Services or Digital Modern Workplace environments.
- Understanding of ITIL principles and service management environments.
- Experience working within secure, government, defence, or regulated sectors.