HR Director

We are seeking an experienced Director - Human Resources with a strong background in Mergers & Acquisitions, TUPE transfers, organizational transitions, and cross-border HR compliance across the UK and European markets.

This role will play a critical leadership position in HR strategy, workforce integration, organizational restructuring, and policy governance, ensuring that all people-related aspects of business expansion, acquisitions, divestitures, and operational transitions are delivered smoothly and in full compliance with local employment regulations.

The successful candidate will partner closely with executive leadership, legal teams, finance, and operational stakeholders to lead complex workforce programs across multiple jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities

Mergers & Acquisitions (HR Due Diligence)

• Lead HR due diligence during mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships.
• Assess workforce risks including contracts, compensation structures, benefits liabilities, and employment disputes.
• Support integration planning including organization design, workforce harmonization, and talent retention strategies.

TUPE & Workforce Transfers

• Lead TUPE consultations and workforce transfers in compliance with UK regulations.
• Manage employee consultations, union engagement, and communication strategies during transfers.
• Ensure proper documentation, legal compliance, and smooth workforce integration.

Transitions & Organizational Change

• Design and implement workforce transition programs including restructuring, outsourcing, and insourcing.
• Lead change management frameworks during operational transitions.
• Ensure business continuity while protecting employee engagement.

Exit Management & Workforce Restructuring

• Oversee redundancy programs, exits, and restructuring initiatives.
• Ensure processes comply with UK and European labour laws, collective consultation requirements, and legal frameworks.
• Manage risk mitigation around employment disputes and litigation.

HR Policy & Governance

• Develop and maintain HR policies aligned with UK and EU employment regulations.
• Ensure compliance with:
• Employment law
• Data protection (GDPR)
• Equality and diversity legislation
• Workforce consultation regulations

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure HR operations comply with UK and European labour legislation.
• Work closely with legal advisors on cross-border workforce governance.
• Implement audit and compliance frameworks for HR processes.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Partner with executive leadership and board stakeholders to align HR strategy with business goals.
• Lead HR teams supporting multi-country operations.
• Support business expansion initiatives including new market entry and workforce setup.

Required Experience

• 10-15 years of HR leadership experience in international organizations.
• Strong experience managing HR aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.
• Proven expertise in TUPE transfers and workforce consultation processes.
• Experience managing cross-border HR operations across the UK and Europe.
• Track record in organizational restructuring, workforce integration, and transition management.
• Strong understanding of UK employment law and European labour frameworks.

Preferred Background

• Experience in technology, consulting, enterprise funded startups or multinational services organizations.
• Experience working with private equity, growth companies, or international expansion projects.
• Exposure to global workforce models including remote and multi-country teams.

Education & Qualifications

• Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or Law
• CIPD Level 7 or equivalent HR qualification preferred
• Additional certifications in employment law, organizational change, or HR transformation advantageous

Key Competencies

• Strategic HR leadership
• M&A workforce integration
• TUPE and employment law expertise
• Cross-border HR compliance
• Change management
• Stakeholder engagement
• Risk management and governance