Head of People & Culture

London (Hybrid)
21 hours per week (Flexible)
Closing date 21st August 2026

Shape the future of a truly global organisation.

We're delighted to be partnering with The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation to recruit an exceptional Head of People & Culture.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a globally recognised charity that reaches more than one million young people every year across 130+ countries and territories, empowering young people to discover their purpose, develop essential life skills and become #WorldReady.

As the organisation continues its ambitious international growth, people remain at the heart of its success. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and working as a trusted adviser to the Executive Team, you'll lead the People & Culture agenda, helping to build an inclusive, high-performing organisation where colleagues across the world can thrive.

The Opportunity

This is far more than a traditional HR leadership role.

You'll shape and deliver an ambitious People & Culture strategy that supports organisational growth while creating a culture where inclusion, wellbeing, accountability and collaboration are embedded in everything the organisation does.

Working across an international network of colleagues and partners, you'll influence organisational design, workforce planning, leadership development and employee experience, whilst ensuring HR operations and governance support a modern, globally connected organisation.

If you're passionate about building values-led cultures and enjoy working strategically while remaining close to operational delivery, this role offers genuine influence and impact.

What you'll be doing

As Head of People & Culture, you will:

Lead the development and delivery of the organisation's People & Culture strategy, aligned to its mission, values and long-term objectives.
Act as a trusted strategic adviser to the Executive Team on organisational design, leadership, culture and change.
Champion an inclusive, values-driven culture that prioritises wellbeing, equity, diversity, collaboration and accountability.
Develop organisational capability across a global network, supporting best practice in HR, culture, health & safety and safeguarding.
Lead all HR operations including recruitment, employee relations, performance management, workforce governance and compliance.
Design equitable reward, pay and benefits frameworks that attract and retain talented people.
Lead workforce planning using people data and financial insight to support future organisational capability.
Ensure managers are equipped to confidently manage people while providing expert support on complex employee relations matters.
Develop and implement modern HR policies and systems that reflect the needs of an international organisation.

About You

We're looking for an experienced People & Culture leader who combines strategic thinking with strong operational expertise.

You'll bring:

Significant experience in a senior HR or People & Culture leadership role.
Strong knowledge of UK employment law, HR best practice and organisational development.
Experience leading cultural change, employee engagement and equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Demonstrable success developing people strategies within complex or international organisations.
Strong business partnering skills with experience influencing senior stakeholders.
Experience managing people budgets, workforce planning and organisational change.
CIPD Chartered Membership (or equivalent) is desirable.

You'll also be someone who:

Leads with integrity, empathy and authenticity.
Builds trust and credibility at every level.
Is an exceptional communicator with strong influencing skills.
Uses insight, data and evidence to inform decision-making.
Thrives in complexity and takes a solutions-focused approach.
Is passionate about creating inclusive workplaces where people can do their best work.

Why join?

This is an opportunity to shape the culture of a globally respected organisation making a lasting difference to young people around the world.

Alongside flexible hybrid working (21 hours per week), you'll benefit from:

25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays, pro rata)
Private Medical Insurance
Healthcare Cash Plan
Joint contributory pension scheme (matching up to 10%)
Life assurance (4x salary)
Enhanced family leave
Salary sacrifice schemes

Apply now

If you're an experienced People & Culture leader looking for a strategic, values-driven role with global impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Please submit your CV together with a supporting statement outlining your suitability for the role

visit: https://www.oakleafpartnership.com/dea for more info

Oakleaf Partnership

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Head of People & Culture