People Director (Maternity Cover)

People Director (Maternity Cover)

Location: Bristol 
Salary: Competitive
Contract: Fixed Term Maternity Cover (9-12 months)
Hours: Full-time or part-time (3 to 5 days per week considered)
Start Date: Immediate start/October 2026

We are seeking an experienced and strategic People Director to join our Executive Team on a maternity cover basis. This is an exciting opportunity for a senior people leader to influence organisational strategy, culture, reward, leadership development and transformation activity during a significant period of delivery and change.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will work closely with the Executive Team and Board to provide expert people leadership and organisational insight. This role is focused on strategic leadership rather than operational HR delivery, working alongside our Head of HR who will continue to lead day-to-day People Team operations.

We are open to applications from candidates seeking either full-time or part-time working arrangements, with flexibility to work between 3 and 5 days per week.

What You'll Be Doing

As People Director, you will:

• Lead strategic people and organisational development initiatives that strengthen workforce capability and organisational effectiveness.
• Drive the organisation's reward and remuneration agenda, including pay reviews, reward frameworks and future reward transformation.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director and Executive Team on people, leadership and organisational matters.
• Support Board and Committee governance through high-quality papers, reporting and strategic recommendations.
• Lead initiatives that strengthen culture, inclusion, colleague engagement and leadership effectiveness.
• Deliver complex organisational change and transformation programmes that support long-term business objectives.
• Influence senior stakeholders across the organisation, building strong and effective relationships.

About You

You will be an experienced senior people professional with a track record of operating at Director, Executive or equivalent level.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience leading organisational development, workforce planning and change programmes.
• Strong knowledge of reward and remuneration strategy.
• Experience delivering organisation-wide strategic people initiatives.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders, boards and stakeholders.
• Expertise in culture development, leadership effectiveness and organisational performance.
• Excellent commercial, analytical and report-writing skills.
• The confidence and credibility to operate independently within a complex environment.

Ideally, you will be a Chartered Member or Fellow of the CIPD, or be able to demonstrate equivalent senior-level experience. 

If you're an experienced strategic people leader looking for a rewarding interim opportunity starting in October, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing Date: 25th September 

We will be reviewing applications as they are received and may interview suitable candidates before the closing date. Early applications are encouraged, as we reserve the right to close the vacancy once an appointment has been made.

Interviews: Week commencing 28th September
Start Date: October 2026