Head of People, Learning & Development

Job title: Head of People, Learning & Development
Location: Sunderland SR5 (Hybrid after Probation)
Contract Type: Permanent
Weekly Hours: 37 hours per week
Salary: £55,000 - £60,000

Job Purpose

As Head of People, Learning & Development, you will provide strategic leadership across people, culture and organisational capability.

You will ensure the business has the workforce structure, leadership capability and learning framework required to deliver its growth objectives.

Operating at Director and Board level, you will translate strategy into practical people initiatives, driving performance, succession and organisational resilience.

Key Responsibilities:

People & Culture

• Lead and deliver the People Strategy aligned to business objectives
• Embed a high-performing, values-led and inclusive culture
• Act as trusted adviser to Directors and senior leaders
• Chair the People Working Group
• Oversee engagement, wellbeing and EDI initiatives

Learning & Development

• Develop and implement the L&D strategy
• Own performance management and development frameworks
• Lead leadership and management development activity
• Identify capability gaps and future workforce needs
• Support early careers and structured development pathways
• Align development routes with professional bodies (RICS, APM, CIPD)
• Manage L&D and recruitment budgets

Workforce Planning & Organisation

• Lead workforce and succession planning
• Support organisational design aligned to growth
• Oversee recruitment strategy and senior hires
• Chair quarterly capability reviews with SLTs

Governance & Risk

• Ensure HR policies and practices are compliant and proportionate
• Maintain oversight of people-related risk and governance
• Support ISO accreditations and Investors in People standards
• Ensure audit-ready documentation and compliance controls

Candidate Profile

Essential:

• Senior experience in a People / HR / L&D leadership role
• Proven track record delivering People and/or L&D strategy
• Strong experience in leadership development and capability building
• Experience advising and influencing Directors and SLT
• Workforce planning and succession planning experience
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation and governance

Desirable:

• Experience within professional services or consultancy
• CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent senior experience)
• Experience supporting organisational change

If you are interested in this position and meet the above criteria, please send your CV now for consideration.

If you require any additional information regarding the position, please call Lewis at Service Care Solutions on 01772 208 966 or send an E-Mail to Lewis.Hodson@servicecare.org.uk