Head of People
Accepting applications until: 12-Apr-2026 23:59
Vacancy status: Open
Accepting applications until: 12-Apr-2026 23:59
Key details
Location
- Site
- Bristol
- Town
- Bristol
- Postcode
- BS1 6PN
- Major / Minor Region
- London
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
- Home or remote working
Salary
- Salary
- £76,965 - £88,682 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Grade
- (NHS AfC: Band 8c)
Specialty
- Main area
- Human Resources
The HRA is a Non Departmental Public Body with the remit to protect and promote the interests of patients and the public in health and social care research. We do this by supporting and promoting a robust and efficient regulatory and governance framework in the UK. We provide the Research Ethics Service (RES), Confidentiality Advice function, assessments and assurances on behalf of the NHS, and learning, guidance and advice for the research community. Our ambition is to make the UK a great place to do research, where more money invested in research goes into carrying out relevant, good quality research.
Our purpose is to ensure that research involving NHS patients and members of the public is approved through a proportionate and robust system, that they are provided with the information they need to help them decide whether they wish to take part, and that their opportunity to do so is maximised by simplifying the processes by which high quality research is assessed. We have already delivered significant improvements by centralising and simplifying the approval of research in the NHS in England, and are undertaking a range of significant programmes to deliver further improvements.
Job overview
Join the Health Research Authority (HRA) as our most senior people leader, supporting and empowering our 270 staff and 1,000 community members. Working closely with the Executive Committee and leaders across the HRA, you will help create high‑performing, collaborative teams and an inclusive culture where everyone can do their best work.
This forward‑looking role uses insight and shared wisdom to build the skills and behaviours needed to deliver our target operating model (TOM) while providing a high‑quality, responsive HR service. You will play a pivotal role in shaping our culture, capability and organisational performance as we design and implement our TOM. If you are a strategic, hands‑on leader with deep people expertise, organisational development and the ability to embed sustainable transformation in a small, complex public body with national impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Advert
This role provides leadership and direction to the Board and Executive Committee on all people and organisational development matters, and is responsible for developing and putting in place our People Strategy ensuring our people have high levels of engagement and the skills and capabilities needed to enable our digital transformation. The Head of People chairs our People Group and Community Group.
The post-holder champions an inclusive culture, promoting equality, diversity, wellbeing and work‑life balance. Collaborating widely and living our values the role creates the right conditions for us all to work together, leading on organisational development activities to enable the design and implementation our target operating model. They lead the HR team, providing high‑quality, HR services and act as the people change lead for major organisational change. The role also manages the HR shared services contract to ensure proactive recruitment and HR operations.
Working for our organisation
Working at the HRA, we are reminded daily of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for you, not just us and the work we do.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that helps us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community: age, disability, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and other diverse characteristics, and we have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.
When applying to work here, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement – if it works for us, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Please note, if applying to our Manchester, Nottingham or Bristol locations, we are only able to offer the role as home based.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This role sits within the HRA Resources directorate which consists of various functions that work collaboratively to provide and deliver a range of services to staff, committee members and suppliers of goods and services to the organisation.
The directorate functions are: HR, Finance, Governance, Commercial, Equality & Diversity, Learning & Development.
To find out more and to understand the full duties of the role, please refer to the job description attached.
In submitting your application with us, please note the following:
We currently do not accept applications via recruitment agencies.
We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement.
Where applicants fail to demonstrate how they meet any one of the essential criteria of the person specification, the application will not be shortlisted. You will be considered based only on the information in your application form. CVs will not be considered.
The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of applications.
Applicant requirements
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to master’s level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in HR/People management and evidence of continuing professional development.
- Professional qualifications in Human Resources practice with current Chartered membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (MCIPD)
Knowledge, Skills and Expertise
Essential criteria
- Specialist knowledge of successfully leading HR and Culture in a public sector organisation (or similar regulated sector). This should be underpinned with a strong understanding of the application of legal and regulatory frameworks, a breadth of theoretical and practical experience and evidence of demonstrable impact.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Proven track record of leading the development and coordination of data-driven, stakeholder-informed People Strategies, actively enabling measurable results to improve workplace experience and create high-performing, adaptive organisations.
- Significant practical and specialist experience in the delivery of complex organisational change and innovation to successfully achieve strategic outcomes and cultural change.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of leading strategy development and providing services for volunteers, public contributors or members
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
Essential criteria
- Experience of responding to people related issues at all levels of the organisation, including appropriate handling of extremely sensitive information with the ability to make balanced judgements in highly complex and sensitive situations.
- Ability to assimilate and analyse highly complex data and issues, including contradictory feedback, and missing information to determine options and solutions in areas with no previous precedent, or no obvious solution, and requiring evidence-based judgement that may be disputed
Interpersonal Skills
Essential criteria
- Highly developed communication and influencing skills with the ability to persuasively interpret complex information or concepts for a range of audiences. You use honed communication skills and strategies to overcome resistance and achieve buy-in or behaviour change.
- Proven strong collaboration and engagement skills both within teams and across diverse stakeholder groups with the ability to gain alignment
Desirable criteria
- Willing to engage with and learn from peers, other stakeholders and colleagues in the desire to provide or support continuous improvement throughout the HRA.
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Karen Williams
- Job title
- Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Resources
- Email address
- [email protected]
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