Head of Human Resources – Global HR Business Partner
Location: London (Hybrid | 2-3 days per week in office)
Reporting To: Chief Executive Officer
Senior Leadership Team Member
Direct Reports: HR Team of 3
Global Workforce: Approximately 100 employees and growing
Regions: UK (London HQ), Canada, USA (San Francisco, New York & Boston)
The Opportunity
Our client is a rapidly growing international management consulting firm specialising in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector. Operating at the intersection of drug discovery, competitive intelligence and business analytics, the organisation partners with some of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies to deliver strategic insight and operational excellence.
With an exceptional reputation, a highly academic workforce and ambitious growth plans across North America and Europe, the company is seeking an outstanding Head of Human Resources / Global HR Business Partner to lead and evolve its global people strategy.
This is a rare opportunity for a commercially minded HR leader to join the Senior Leadership Team and have a direct impact on culture, talent, organisational effectiveness and business growth.
About the Role
As the Head of Human Resources, you will own and lead the entire HR function across the UK, US and Canada. Operating as a strategic business partner to the CEO and leadership team, you will drive initiatives that attract, develop, engage and retain exceptional talent while ensuring the organisation maintains its entrepreneurial culture and high-performance environment.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring both strategic vision and operational excellence. You will be responsible for building a resilient, engaged and future-ready workforce while supporting a highly educated, globally distributed employee population.
The organisation's consulting team has an average age of approximately 28 years and is comprised entirely of advanced life science professionals, with around 75% holding PhDs from leading global universities.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a modern, scalable global HR strategy aligned with business growth objectives.
- Partner closely with the CEO and senior leadership team on organisational design, workforce planning and people strategy.
- Lead, mentor and develop the existing HR team of three professionals.
- Drive employee engagement, wellbeing, retention and career development initiatives.
- Create and deliver innovative learning and development programmes.
- Oversee performance management, succession planning and leadership development.
- Develop competitive reward, recognition and benefits programmes across multiple jurisdictions.
- Lead employee relations, policy development and HR compliance activities.
- Champion an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing company culture.
- Enhance employer branding and support the attraction of top-tier consulting and scientific talent.
- Utilise people analytics and workforce data to inform strategic decision-making.
- Ensure compliance with employment legislation across the UK, US and Canada.
Candidate Profile
Experience
- Minimum 5 years' HR leadership experience, with 8+ years preferred.
- Strong preference for experience within a global management consulting, professional services or knowledge-based organisation.
- Experience gained within firms such as ZS, ClearView Healthcare Partners, Charles River Associates, Trinity Life Sciences, Putnam Associates, L.E.K. Consulting, PwC, EY, Accenture, Deloitte or similar environments would be highly advantageous.
- Proven success leading HR functions across international locations, particularly the UK, US and Canada.
- Experience supporting high-growth businesses through periods of scale and transformation.
- Demonstrated success influencing senior stakeholders and executives.
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Psychology, Business or a related discipline.
- CIPD qualification desirable.
- MBA from a leading business school or postgraduate qualification in Human Resources, Organisational Psychology or a related field is highly desirable.
Leadership Style
- Strategic thinker with a pragmatic, hands-on approach.
- Strong executive presence and excellent communication skills.
- Passionate advocate for people, culture and organisational effectiveness.
- Deep understanding of Gen Z and Millennial workforce engagement drivers.
- Able to build credibility quickly across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Inspirational leader with the ability to balance empathy and accountability.
Technical Expertise
- Full-spectrum HR leadership across talent management, employee engagement, learning and development, compensation and benefits, succession planning and compliance.
- Strong knowledge of cross-border employment legislation and HR best practices.
- Experience implementing HR technology and data-driven people initiatives.
- Skilled in hybrid working models and modern workforce management practices.
- Strong analytical capability with experience leveraging people metrics to improve business outcomes.
What's on Offer?
- Strategic leadership role with significant influence and visibility.
- Direct partnership with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team.
- Global remit spanning the UK, US and Canada.
- Opportunity to shape the future of a rapidly growing consulting business.
- Competitive salary and performance-related bonus.
- Outstanding benefits package.
- Hybrid working with a central London office.
- Collaborative, intellectually stimulating and people-focused culture.
Apply Now
If you are an ambitious HR leader with experience in consulting/ pharma or professional services and are looking for an opportunity to shape the people strategy of a high-growth international organisation, we would be delighted to hear from you.