Head of People

About Unseen

Unseen combines assessment technology, candidate engagement, psychometric design and recruitment support solutions to help employers deliver fair, data-driven, high-impact recruitment experiences and insights.

We are entering the next stage of growth, with ambitious plans to acquire and integrate multiple companies into the Group, transitioning them from standalone organisations into our centralised operating model.

The role

As our first HR hire, you will ensure we have the structures, processes and frameworks needed to support a growing, acquisitive business.

Reporting to the Group COO, you will have the support of an open and forward-thinking leadership team behind you, as you shape and deliver a commercially focused people strategy. This is a hands-on role requiring autonomy and the ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.

This role is a standalone position in the first instance, and you will be solely responsible for delivering the HR function in the immediate term. You should be commercially driven and comfortable taking full ownership of both strategic and day-to-day HR activity in a fast-moving environment.

Key responsibilities

HR Operations and Employee Relations

• Develop and implement HR strategy, policies and procedures aligned to business objectives and growth plans
• Act as the lead on all employee relations matters and issues, providing expert guidance and ensuring compliance with UK law and regulatory expectations
• Own and manage HR systems and ensure accurate employee data, documentation and reporting
• Act as a trusted point of contact for employee HR queries and support
• Manage HR budgets and partner with Finance on remuneration governance, budgeting, payroll and compensation structure
• Lead on major HR projects as the organisation grows and changes (e.g. TUPE process, HR systems transformation)

Company Acquisition and Integration

• Support the COO in HR-related due diligence of target acquisitions, including contract and policy reviews and the assessment of organisational structures, roles and resource requirements
• Support change management processes during periods of restructure and transition
• Support the HR aspects of integration, including contracts, policies, processes and cultural alignment

Talent Acquisition

• Support in organisational design and workforce planning across the Group
• Partner with leadership and hiring managers to identify current and future hiring needs
• Implement consistent, high-quality processes supporting the full employee lifecycle, including hiring, onboarding and offboarding
• Manage relationships with external recruitment partners and hiring platforms where necessary

Performance, Engagement and Development

• Design and implement performance management frameworks and review processes, as well as succession planning and leadership development
• Support in the development and delivery of learning and development programmes aligned to business needs
• Develop reward and recognition approaches
• Lead employee engagement initiatives and feedback mechanisms
• Define and deliver strategies to retain and develop high-performing, diverse and inclusive teams

Skills and experience

• CIPD qualified (minimum level 5, ideally level 7)
• Proven experience within a scaling or acquisitive organisation
• Proven experience operating as a standalone HR lead, with full ownership of the function
• Comfortable balancing strategic priorities with operational delivery
• Experience building and evolving HR structures and processes in a scaling environment
• Experience working in remote-friendly, agile, fast-paced environments
• Strong knowledge of employment law and employee relations
• Demonstrated experience building and implementing people strategies aligned to business growth
• Commercially aware, pragmatic and confident in working with senior stakeholders
• Able to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in a changing environment
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Hands-on, proactive and solutions-focused
• You are comfortable being both the strategic lead and the operational executor, and thrive in environments where you are required to build and deliver simultaneously

What we offer

• Remote-friendly working
• Offices in London and Manchester
• 40 days annual leave
• Flexible benefits package with monthly allowance
• Company pension