People Lead

PEOPLE LEAD 

About Us 

The charity Hospital Rooms was founded when a friend of artist Tim A Shaw and curator Niamh White was sectioned and admitted to a NHS mental health hospital. On visiting her, they were shocked to find the hospital environment was cold and clinical at a time when she was so vulnerable. Having both worked in the arts for 10 years, Shaw and White felt they had the skills and community to be able to transform these spaces with unique and site specific artworks. 

Hospital Rooms envisions a new world where abundant and meaningful creative opportunities are readily accessible to people with severe and enduring mental health diagnoses, and where mental health hospital environments are inventive cultural spaces offering solace, comfort and dignity. Since 2016, Hospital Rooms has undertaken a number of acclaimed projects, completed in some of the most challenging mental health settings. A roster of artists is carefully selected for each Hospital Rooms’ project according to the needs of each community. 

Role Overview 

As People Lead, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the people and culture behind Hospital Rooms’ mission. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will lead and strengthen the organisation’s HR systems, employee experience, and internal culture as Hospital Rooms enters its tenth year. 

You will oversee the full employee lifecycle across permanent staff, fixed-term employees, freelancers, volunteers, and board members. From recruitment and onboarding to employee relations and learning and development, you will ensure staff are supported in a workplace that reflects Hospital Rooms’ values of care, dignity, inclusivity, and collaboration. 

Working closely with the Managing Director, CEO, Operations Coordinator, and external HR advisors, you will help shape HR strategy and systems that align with the organisation’s Theory of Change and long-term ambitions. 

The role offers flexibility and is part-time at two days per week. 

Candidate Specification 

We are seeking an experienced, compassionate, and highly organised HR professional with a strong understanding of employee relations, inclusive workplace culture, and people management. 

The ideal candidate will bring excellent communication skills, emotional intelligence, and a proactive approach to supporting a diverse and values-driven workforce. You will be comfortable handling sensitive information with discretion and professionalism, particularly within the context of mental health and community-focused work.

Desirable attributes include: 

• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent experience


• Strong understanding of employment law and HR best practices


• Experience supporting diverse teams within arts, charity, or community organisations


• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion principles


• Understanding of trauma-informed and autism-aware approaches


• Familiarity with the social model of disability


• Confidence managing employee relations casework and HR systems


• Strong organisational and project management skills


• Ability to work collaboratively within a fast-paced and mission-led organisation

Experience and Skills: 

• Experience in a similar HR or People Lead role with responsibility for employee relations and HR management


• Knowledge of recruitment, onboarding, contracts, compliance, and employee lifecycle management


• Experience maintaining HR records and systems in line with GDPR requirements


• Ability to support organisational learning, staff wellbeing, and development initiatives


• Strong communication and mediation skills with the ability to handle sensitive conversations professionally


• Experience drafting HR policies, procedures, and staff communications


• Ability to collaborate with leadership teams and external HR advisors


• Proficiency with HR systems, BrightHR, Google and Microsoft Office Suite


• Strong analytical and reporting skills to support organisational insight and planning


• Ability to manage multiple priorities with a calm and practical approach

Application Process

To apply, please submit:

• A CV (maximum two A4 pages).


• A brief cover letter (this may be written in the body of your email or submitted in audio/video format if preferred).

Applications should be sent to Hospital Rooms by an email. 

Applicants are also invited to self-describe any barriers they have faced accessing the arts sector as part of the cover letter section, to help contextualise achievements and experience. 

Key Dates: 

• Application Deadline: 11 June 2026.


• First-round interviews: June 2026.

Hospital Rooms is committed to inclusive recruitment and accessibility throughout the process. If you require any adjustments or support during the application or interview process, please contact Zarina Kazi at [email protected]

The successful candidate will be required to complete a Standard DBS check organised by Hospital Rooms. Please take a moment to fill out this voluntary Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. 

Apply Now via the button below.