Head of HR Operations

Description

• Partner with senior leaders to embed HR priorities into operational decision‑making, promoting knowledge‑sharing, transparency, and trust across the business
• Lead and coach HR Business Partners to provide expert, customer‑focused HR support, driving improvements in engagement, retention, and workforce capability
• Deliver HR support across multiple sites and sectors, including local authorities, housing associations, central government departments (MOJ/MOD), and facilities maintenance contracts
• Co‑ordinate the production of documentation for Executive Board, Workforce Development Group, and ESG Board meetings, ensuring timely delivery and effective cascade of HR updates
• Lead on TUPE transfers, ensuring compliance with legislation and effective communication with employees and unions throughout the process
• Build and maintain strong, constructive relationships with trade unions, demonstrating credibility in unionised environments and ensuring effective negotiation that balances workforce needs with business objectives
• Take a proactive lead in managing individual and collective employee relations issues, ensuring timely resolution in line with Mears values, policies, and procedures
• Shape and deliver the Group People Strategy, ensuring effective local implementation through strong leadership of people management practices
• Provide strategic HR input to the Bid Team, supporting tenders and preparing for new contract wins, ensuring HR readiness and smooth mobilisation
• Lead organisational change programmes to achieve timely, compliant outcomes aligned with business objectives
• Act as a confident influencer and challenger of senior stakeholders, using evidence‑based HR insights to shape decisions, drive change, and embed a culture of accountability and fairness

Requirements

• Proven experience in a senior HR role with responsibilities comparable to the principal accountabilities outlined
• Line management experience across both in‑person and virtual teams, with a track record of coaching and developing HR professionals
• Skilled advisor, able to provide clear, practical HR guidance both remotely and face‑to‑face to managers at all levels
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities, using data and insight to inform decision‑making
• Extensive senior management HR experience, with the confidence to challenge, influence, and persuade senior leaders on complex employee relations issues
• Demonstrated success in leading large‑scale restructure programmes and complex change management initiatives
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of employment law and its practical application across diverse business contexts
• Ability to work effectively in a remote environment
• Ability to work to tight deadlines while managing multiple workstreams effectively
• Significant regional and multi‑site HR experience, including exposure to local authorities, housing associations, central government departments (MOJ/MOD), and facilities maintenance contracts
• Collaborative team player with effective negotiation skills
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to engage, persuade, and build trust at all levels
• Cross‑sector experience, having worked within both public and private sector environments, bringing varied perspectives and adaptability
• Customer‑focused mindset, driven to deliver high‑quality service and measurable improvements in people outcomes
• Full driving licence, with flexibility to travel nationwide and undertake occasional overnight stays
• Broad, current expertise across the full HR function, with a strong grasp of both strategic and operational delivery
• Extensive experience working within unionised environments, with proven ability to build constructive relationships with trade unions and manage collective issues with confidence

Benefits

• Private Medical: Family cover
• Leading pension scheme – 5% employee / 8.5% employer contribution
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Life Assurance: 3 × salary
• Permanent Health Insurance (PHI): 50% of salary
• Annual Mears Fun Day - Our annual Fun Day is organised as a massive thank you from the Executive team for all the hard work!
• Staff perks with Mears Rewards - discounts of up to 10% weekly groceries, holidays, eye test vouchers, Share save scheme, plus much more
• Volunteering Leave Mears supports employees to undertake paid volunteering in the community, in support of our social value commitment

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance