Chief People Officer

Quest Search and Selection is currently hiring Chief People Officer, will lead the organisation’s people strategy through an exciting period of growth and transformation, partnering with the CEO, Board and Executive Team to build organisational capability, strengthen culture and drive performance. The role will focus on, high-performing and values-led environment, ensuring people and business objectives are aligned while making a meaningful impact across colleagues, members, customers and the wider community.

The company is a long-established retailer, operating across the UK. The organisation is values-led, commercially driven, and committed to long-term people and customer values within their units.

Please note this role requires full relocation to an island within the British Isles, so if on the mainland UK please only apply if relocation is an option.

Responsibilities of this Chief People Officer:

• Lead, develop and inspire the People team (circa 10 people), creating a high-performing, commercially focused and service-led function.
• Develop and implement strategies across HR, L&D, talent management, organisational development and succession planning.
• Identify current and future capability requirements and develop initiatives to strengthen organisational capability, leadership and talent.
• Lead the full colleague lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding through to development, engagement, performance and retention.
• Develop and maintain effective HR policies, procedures and people frameworks, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and internal standards.
• Oversee People budgets, resources and operational costs, ensuring effective financial management and delivery against agreed objectives.
• Establish meaningful People metrics and reporting, providing clear insight into performance, engagement, capability and organisational effectiveness.
• Support the development of a strong employer brand and external reputation, building positive relationships with key stakeholders, members and the wider community.
• Contribute to wider business development and organisational objectives as a member of the senior leadership team.

To be successful in this Chief People Officer:

• Experienced senior People leader comfortable operating at Executive and Board level
• Open to CPO, HR Director, Group HR Director or People Director-level candidates, depending on the size and structure of the business. The target organisation is approximately £130m–£210m turnover, so we can be flexible on title where the scope and seniority are comparable.
• Ideally having experience in Retail, Hospitality, Service, multi-site operations industry.
• Strong commercial, financial and strategic acumen, with a people-centered approach.
• Proven experience in organisational change, culture, talent development and succession planning.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills.
• Strong analytical and risk management skills, with the ability to turn insight into action.
• Values-led leader with a genuine passion for people, purpose and organisational performance.
• Relevant professional qualifications and significant senior-level experience.

Benefits of this Chief People Officer:

• Healthcare
• Life assurance
• Annual holiday
• Relocation support
• Annual bonus more than 15%
• LTIP
• Better quality of life
• Discount across the group
• Lower tax benefit (saving circa £20,000 at this level)

This is a great opportunity, if you have the right skills for chief people officer on the description above, please apply so we can have a confidential conversation.

Please note, this is a retained and confidential search. Any CVs introduced by third parties will be managed through Quest Search & Selection’s assessment process before being presented to the client.