Director of HR

Reporting To: Chief Operations Officer

Job Summary

The Director of HR is a senior manager responsible for overseeing all aspects of ODI Global’s human resources function, including recruitment, employee relations, training and development, benefits administration, compliance with employment laws, and strategic workforce planning, with a focus on aligning HR strategies with HR best practices as well as overall business goals and objectives.

The Director of HR will lead the development and delivery of appropriate people strategies that value staff and enable their development, performance and collaboration. They will develop and execute a practical, high-impact people strategy covering recruitment, talent development, employee engagement, and culture. They will act as a strategic HR business partner to the Chief Operations Officer and the Leadership Team, supporting leadership development and succession planning.
 
They will also enhance ODI Global’s brand as a global employer of choice; creating the vision and driving Human Resources strategies that align with ODI Global’s strategic objectives and are congruent with ODI Global’s culture. They will provide a proactive, professional, effective and value-added HR service to the managers and staff of ODI Global as well as Partner with assigned client groups. Leading the HR Leadership Team, the Director of HR drives the Department’s overall leadership, strategic direction, policy development and decision-making in all aspects of people management across ODI Global.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic people management

• Develop and implement comprehensive HR strategies aligned with the organisation’s objectives, including workforce planning, succession planning, and talent acquisition strategies.
• Foster a culture of high performance across the organisation, ensuring that high performers are recognised for their efforts, and that poor performers are adequately supported to meet the standards required.
• Provide direct leadership of certain specific activities where required, such as the annual Board review of salaries/rewards, Director-level recruitment, Trade Union relationship management, representing ODI Global in pension scheme negotiations, and incident reporting.
• Work in collaboration with the ODI Global’s Leadership to foster a positive working environment and implement a value-based organisational culture that promotes employee engagement, equality, diversity, belonging and inclusion.

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead a strategic and operational human resource function including organisational development, workforce planning, employee relations, diversity, inclusion and belonging, cultural change and transformation, reward and recognition, well-being, learning and development, performance management, talent management and global mobility. 
• Lead and mentor a team of 8 HR professionals, delegating tasks and providing guidance on complex HR issues. 
• Lead and manage the ODI Global HR team, role modelling optimal behaviours and engendering a team culture of learning and continuous improvement. 
• Proactively motivate, coach, and develop the team to achieve organisational and personal goals/objectives.
• Provide hands-on operational HR support—this is not a purely strategic role and will require involvement in day-to-day HR activities
• Build a team of experts and HR generalists by proactively supporting the team’s career growth and professional development.
• Accountable for the HR budget of £800k. 

Strategic development

• Lead the development and action of an HR strategy that reflects the changing needs and positioning of ODI Global and builds on HR best practices.
• Make a significant contribution to ODI Global ’s multi-year business plan and operational framework by working with the Chief Operations Officer and members of the Senior Leadership Team on operational change initiatives that support a culture of excellence and professionalism in the organisation.
• Lead the development and operational delivery of an effective resourcing strategy and programme for all staff in line with the objectives of the organisation and needs of staff and encourage a culture of learning.
• Lead HR operational related projects linked to the HR and organisational strategy; identifying the need for change and improvement, devising creative and innovative solutions, and engaging others to ensure effective delivery.
• Lead the organisation’s strategic plan and its delivery including Equality, Diversity,

Lead ODI Global’s safeguarding function

• Serve as a Deputy Safeguarding Officer and support the Designated Safeguarding Officer (COO)
• Ensure that ODI Global has appropriate and up-to-date safeguarding policies and procedures to protect staff and people with whom ODI Global works, and which comply with regulatory requirements. 
• Ensure that staff and others with whom ODI Global works are aware of our safeguarding policies and incident reporting processes and that appropriate training is provided.

Policy & Legislation

• Oversee the development of good practice operational policies and procedures on all areas of employment, which meet legal requirements, adhere to equal opportunities principles and lead to better management within ODI Global.
• Stay informed on HR trends, opportunities and challenges to effectively lead on responses to the changes impacting the organisation.

Relationships and influence

• The role will include communicating and negotiating to influence organisation culture and behaviours. The role will include coaching and advising the organisation’s senior leaders. Key relationships include; Chief Executive, Board, Senior Leadership Team, Leadership Team, Trade Union and the wider staff group. This will include managing the relationship with the Trade Union and negotiating on behalf of ODI Global, as required.
• Represent organisation externally across HR networks and provide coaching for others in peer network
• Leading and working with the Chief Operations Officer on SLT development programme and change management restructures and subsequent exits
• Design and oversee all staff engagement activities in line with ODI Global strategic objectives 
• Working with the Chief Operations Officer, Coach and advise the Chair of Board on employment issues relating to the CEO and give guidance to Company Secretary in relation to Board issues as necessary

Trade Union

• Consult and take the lead on negotiations with the Trade Union on behalf of ODI Global. 
• Manage and build strong relationships with Trade Union representatives to ensure low levels of conflict and engender an environment of collegiate partnership working.

Other duties

• Undertake such other duties within the scope of the post as may be requested by their manager

Knowledge and Qualifications

Requirements
 

Essential:

• CIPD qualified to Chartered Member status (or actively working towards it with relevant equivalent experience)
• Strong understanding of employment laws and regulations
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills
• Strategic thinking and ability to align HR initiatives with business objectives
• A demonstrable passion for EDIB

Desirable:

• Degree-level experience in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
• CIPD qualified to Chartered Fellow status
• Data analysis and reporting skills 
• Strategic leadership and team management abilities
• Demonstrable experience embedding inclusive talent practices.

Experience

Essential

• Proven experience in a senior strategic HR leadership role
• Experience of working in a Unionised organisation
• Significant knowledge and experience of HR principles, best practices, and UK employment law.
• Substantial experience of working at senior management level, and involvement in the strategic development of an organisation

Desirable

• Strong experience in talent development, employee engagement, and cultural transformation.
• Experience of Global Mobility and its practical implementation. 
• International payroll and international hiring.
• Experience with group companies/ managing HR for multiple legal entities
• Experience in safeguarding in an international operating context
• Demonstrable experience of managing staff performance across all functions
• Experience of leading organisational change processes 

Skills/Abilities

• Senior leadership and management ability, including managing performance and developing staff
• Strategic thinking and collaborative strategy development
• Effective teamwork, inter-personal and collaboration skills
• Data-driven professional with the ability to utilise data and analytics to measure HR effectiveness and inform strategic decisions. 
• Values-driven and exceptional integrity, including ensuring a safe working environment and equal opportunities for all
• Exceptional written and oral communications skills
• Confidence in coaching and influencing senior stakeholders, ensuring HR plays a key role in shaping business success.
• A proactive, problem-solving mindset, with the ability to work autonomously in a lean team.

Key Relationships and Contacts

• HR team
• Directors of Programmes
• Heads of ODI functional teams
• Programme and functional staff
• Trade Union and pension scheme representatives
• Senior Leadership Team & Board

Interview schedule as follows
 
First Stage Interview Date: 02 April to 03 April

Second Stage Interview Date: Interviews are currently being scheduled. We will contact qualified applicants to arrange a time but likely to take place adjacent to Easter Holidays and in person in our London office.

Why should you work for us?

ODI Global is committed to developing and supporting diverse and inclusive teams of people who share our passion, where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We welcome applicants from a range of diverse backgrounds including those who experience intersectional marginalisation on the basis of their class, race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious identity or belief, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We also welcome applications from those living with disabilities.

Benefits

We prioritise the well-being of our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your personal and professional growth. Enjoy a generous annual leave allowance, including public holidays and additional time off during Christmas and New Year. We also recognise the importance of work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements, remote work options, and study leave to support your professional development.

Our commitment to employee well-being extends beyond annual leave. We provide comprehensive benefits such as maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental leave, competitive pension schemes and interest-free travel loans. We offer sick pay, an Employee Assistance Program, and staff events and social activities to ensure your physical and mental health.

For those relocating to the UK, we provide relocation assistance to help you settle in. We also promote sustainable commuting with our Cycle to Work scheme and offer union membership to protect your rights and advocate for your interests.

At ODI Global, we believe that a supportive and rewarding work environment is essential for success. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects our commitment to your well-being and professional growth.

For a full listing of benefits, please visit our Careers page.

About ODI Global

ODI Global is a leading global affairs think tank. We inspire people to act on injustice and inequality. We focus on research, convening and influencing, to generate ideas that matter for people and planet.