Vacancy at Hawthorn Advisors
Head of Talent / Head of People
Salary
£ Competitive
London
Vacancy listed
19/05/2025
Application deadline
30/06/2025
Details
Head of Talent / Head of People
About this role:
We are proud to be one of the UK’s biggest and fastest-growing independent communications consultancies. And we have big ambitions - to grow in scale, increase the breadth and depth of our expertise, expand into new geographies, and push the boundaries in delivering industry-defining work.
This newly created senior leadership role is pivotal in achieving these goals. As our first Head of Talent, you’ll lead our people strategy, help build a high-performing team across the UK and internationally, and nurture a culture where our people feel motivated, supported, and rewarded.
You’ll report directly to our Founder & CEO and work closely with our management board to ensure our talent approach is tightly aligned with business objectives, while maintaining the entrepreneurial and collaborative spirit that has defined us for over a decade.
Your responsibilities will include:
· Strategic leadership
Partner with our management board to develop and deliver a people strategy that will strengthen our position as an employer of choice and support our business objectives.
Partner with our management board to develop and deliver a people strategy that will strengthen our position as an employer of choice and support our business objectives.
· Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
Lead full-cycle recruitment across all levels, collaborating with internal team and external partners to attract top talent. Review and enhance recruitment and onboarding processes to ensure a best-in-class candidate experience.
Lead full-cycle recruitment across all levels, collaborating with internal team and external partners to attract top talent. Review and enhance recruitment and onboarding processes to ensure a best-in-class candidate experience.
· Performance Management
Oversee performance management processes, including goal setting, regular reviews, and career development frameworks to drive individual and organisational growth.
Oversee performance management processes, including goal setting, regular reviews, and career development frameworks to drive individual and organisational growth.
· Employee Relations
Cultivate a positive and inclusive workplace culture. Manage employee relations, including conflict resolution, capability and disciplinary matters, and day-to-day staff engagement.
Cultivate a positive and inclusive workplace culture. Manage employee relations, including conflict resolution, capability and disciplinary matters, and day-to-day staff engagement.
· Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Collaborate with internal teams and our DEI committee to promote inclusive hiring practices and foster a diverse, equitable workplace culture.
Collaborate with internal teams and our DEI committee to promote inclusive hiring practices and foster a diverse, equitable workplace culture.
· Learning & Development
In partnership with our management board, assess training needs and develop learning initiatives that enhance skills and support career progression.
In partnership with our management board, assess training needs and develop learning initiatives that enhance skills and support career progression.
· Internal Communications
Establish and maintain an effective internal communications programme across all channels, from our town halls and other ‘all staff’ meetings, to our intranet and company-wide slack.
Establish and maintain an effective internal communications programme across all channels, from our town halls and other ‘all staff’ meetings, to our intranet and company-wide slack.
· Compensation & Benefits
Oversee compensation processes, including salary reviews and benefits programmes. Conduct market benchmarking to ensure competitiveness and support retention.
Oversee compensation processes, including salary reviews and benefits programmes. Conduct market benchmarking to ensure competitiveness and support retention.
· HR Policies & Compliance
Regularly review and update HR policies in line with evolving legal requirements and industry best practices. Ensure consistent application and compliance across the organisation.
Regularly review and update HR policies in line with evolving legal requirements and industry best practices. Ensure consistent application and compliance across the organisation.
· HR Systems & Database Management
Oversee the Breathe HR system to ensure data accuracy and functionality. Recommend and implement upgrades or improvements as needed.
Oversee the Breathe HR system to ensure data accuracy and functionality. Recommend and implement upgrades or improvements as needed.
You will have:
· 7–10+ years of progressive HR experience, ideally within a creative, communications, or agency environment
· Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practices
· Strategic thinker with a hands-on, solutions-oriented mindset
· Proven ability to lead change, influence at all levels, and drive cultural alignment
· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
· Empathetic, emotionally intelligent leadership style
· Degree preferred; HR certifications a plus
About Hawthorn
We are an independent and agile strategic communications consultancy. For over 10 years, we’ve delivered exceptional work for individuals and organisations worldwide, from Forbes, Maybourne Hotels and Kering, to DAZN, Aegon, and News UK.
Benefits
We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and lifestyle:
• Pension, Salary Exchange, nursery salary sacrifice scheme, medical and life insurance
• Cycle-to-work and tech schemes
• Flexible working options, both location and hours
• Generous leave: 25 days annual leave in your first year, increasing to 26 thereafter, plus parental, sabbatical, and volunteering leave
• Annual charity day to support causes close to your heart
• Continuous learning and development culture
• Wellbeing support including EAP, mental health first aiders, Peppy menopause app, and robust sick leave provision
• Office perks like breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks
• A vibrant social calendar, including sports, culture, and charity events, and standout summer and Christmas parties