Mears Group is hiring a Head of HR Operations

Mears Group is hiring a Head of HR Operations to shape and deliver the Group People Strategy. In this senior HR leadership role, you will be a strategic partner to senior leaders, leading HR Business Partnering, employee relations, and organisational change across multiple sectors and locations. You will also deputise for the Group HR Director.

What You'll Do

• Shape and deliver the Group People Strategy, ensuring effective local implementation through strong leadership of people management practices.
• Partner with senior leaders to embed HR priorities into operational decision-making, promoting knowledge-sharing, transparency, and trust.
• Lead and coach HR Business Partners to provide expert, customer-focused HR support, driving improvements in engagement, retention, and workforce capability.
• Take a proactive lead in managing individual and collective employee relations issues, ensuring timely resolution in line with Mears values, policies, and procedures.
• Build and maintain strong, constructive relationships with trade unions, demonstrating credibility in unionised environments.
• Act as a confident influencer and challenger of senior stakeholders, using evidence-based HR insights to shape decisions, drive change, and embed a culture of accountability and fairness.
• Provide strategic HR input to the Bid Team, supporting tenders and preparing for new contract wins, ensuring HR readiness and smooth mobilisation.
• Lead on TUPE transfers, ensuring compliance with legislation and effective communication with employees and unions.
• Deliver HR support across multiple sites and sectors, including local authorities, housing associations, central government departments (MOJ/MOD), and facilities maintenance contracts.
• Co-ordinate the production of documentation for Executive Board, Workforce Development Group, and ESG Board meetings, ensuring timely delivery and effective cascade of HR updates.
• Lead organisational change programmes to achieve timely, compliant outcomes aligned with business objectives.
• Deputise for the Group HR Director, taking ownership of critical HR and business projects as required.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in a senior HR role with responsibilities comparable to the principal accountabilities outlined.
• Broad, current expertise across the full HR function, with a strong grasp of both strategic and operational delivery.
• Skilled advisor, able to provide clear, practical HR guidance both remotely and face-to-face to managers at all levels.
• Cross-sector experience, having worked within both public and private sector environments.
• Demonstrated success in leading large-scale restructure programmes and complex change management initiatives.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines while managing multiple workstreams effectively.
• Line management experience across both in-person and virtual teams, with a track record of coaching and developing HR professionals.
• Extensive senior management HR experience, with the confidence to challenge, influence, and persuade senior leaders on complex employee relations issues.
• Up-to-date knowledge of employment law and its practical application across diverse business contexts.
• Significant regional and multi-site HR experience, including exposure to local authorities, housing associations, central government departments (MOJ/MOD), and facilities maintenance contracts.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to engage, persuade, and build trust at all levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, using data and insight to inform decision-making.
• Customer-focused mindset, driven to deliver high-quality service and measurable improvements in people outcomes.
• Collaborative team player with effective negotiation skills.
• Extensive experience working within unionised environments, with proven ability to build constructive relationships with trade unions and manage collective issues with confidence.
• Ability to work effectively in a remote environment.
• Full driving licence, with flexibility to travel nationwide and undertake occasional overnight stays.

Team & Environment

You will be a senior member of the HR leadership team, reporting directly to the Group HR Director. This role includes deputising for this position.

Benefits & Compensation

• Compensation: £65,000 plus £6,900 car allowance.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Life Assurance: 3 × salary.
• Private Medical: Family cover.
• Permanent Health Insurance (PHI): 50% of salary.
• Leading pension scheme – 5% employee / 8.5% employer contribution.
• Annual Mears Fun Day.
• Volunteering Leave.
• Staff perks with Mears Rewards - discounts of up to 10% weekly groceries, holidays, eye test vouchers, Share save scheme.
• Family friendly policies.

Work Mode

This is a hybrid role, primarily home-based with extensive nationwide travel required.

At Mears Group, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, we are a Disability Confident employer, valuing individuality and ensuring equal opportunities for all.