Executive Head of People & Culture

About War Child:

War Child is a specialist charity for children affected by conflict.

With high levels of commitment, courage and creativity, War Child colleagues work hard to keep children safe, help children to learn and overcome their experiences, and equip children with skills for their future.

War Child strives to build an inclusive workplace culture that is open, creative, passionate and inspired to fundraise and advocate for children impacted by conflict. We want everyone to feel a sense of belonging and to be valued and respected for their unique contribution to our mission.

We are committed to supporting colleagues to engage in a balanced work and personal life, enabling them to flourish and reach their potential. Our aim is for a flexible working culture to be the norm in how we do things and to help us deliver our mission. Therefore, from day one, we are happy to consider flexible working requests.

If you share our values and believe that children's lives should not be torn apart by war, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role:

As Executive Head of People & Culture, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of War Child UK. Reporting into the Executive Team and working closely with the CEO and Directors, you will lead our people strategy, culture and organisational development agenda, ensuring our People Promise supports an engaged, high-performing and values-driven workforce.

Leading an established People & Culture team, you will build-on strong foundations to deliver an exceptional employee experience across the organisation. You will champion innovative and inclusive people practices, drive organisational effectiveness, and ensure our culture enables colleagues to thrive while delivering lasting impact for children affected by conflict.

You will act as the trusted People & Culture adviser to the CEO and Directors, helping to shape organisational strategy, guide complex decision-making and lead organisation-wide change.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced people leader to influence organisation-wide strategy, develop a modern and inclusive people function, and help shape the future workforce of a mission-driven charity.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the development and delivery of War Child UK's People & Culture strategy, aligned to the organisation's long-term goals and mission.

Partner with the CEO and Leadership Team to shape organisational culture, workforce planning and future growth. Develop and embed our People Promise, enhancing employee wellbeing, engagement, attraction and retention.

Lead organisational development, talent management and succession planning initiatives.

Drive modern, inclusive and flexible ways of working that support innovation, wellbeing and performance.

Provide strategic leadership on organisational change and complex people matters.

Ensure compliance with employment law, safeguarding requirements, organisational policies and DEI commitments.

Oversee recruitment, induction, learning and development, leadership capability and performance frameworks.

Lead the development of people systems, data and technology, including the responsible use of AI and emerging tools.

Build trusted relationships across the organisation, providing strategic advice, challenge and support to senior leaders.

Lead and develop the People & Culture team, fostering a collaborative, high-performing and inclusive culture.

Champion safeguarding, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging across the employee lifecycle.

Should you require any support to access the application or interview process or require details of our vacancy in an alternative format please contact info@redway-hr.co.uk.

Person specification

About You

We’re looking for a strategic and values-driven People & Culture leader who can combine commercial thinking with a people-centred approach.

You will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience within People & Culture, HR or Organisational Development.
• A proven track record of developing and delivering people strategies that support organisational performance, growth and culture.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law, safeguarding and diversity, equity and inclusion best practice.
• Experience leading organisational change, workforce planning and organisational development initiatives.
• Outstanding relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to work credibly at Executive and Board level.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing people teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, using data and insight to inform decision-making.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive and complex issues with confidence and empathy.
• A commitment to safeguarding, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• A passion for War Child’s mission and values.

Desirable

• CIPD Level 7 qualification (or equivalent).
• Experience within the charity, international development or wider not-for-profit sector.
• Experience of modernising people systems and adopting new technologies, including AI.
• Understanding of safeguarding within international or humanitarian settings.
• Experience developing employer branding, DEI or culture-change initiatives.

Job Benefits

Hybrid working Enhanced Annual Leave (28 days, rising to 33 days with service, plus public holidays) Flexible Working Arrangements from Day One Competitive Pension Contribution Enhanced Family & Sick Leave Life Insurance

And many more!

Pay: £70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• Sick pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

• London NW1: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Application question(s):

• A cover letter is required for this role. Do you plan to submit a cover letter?

Licence/Certification:

• CIPD Level 7 (preferred)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in London NW1