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Head of HR - Wakefield

Head of HR Jobs

With a company’s fortunes being tied up so closely with its employees, the human resources department needs to be running like clockwork. That is the job of the head of HR. Depending on the size of the organization, this role may include overseeing a number HR managers and their teams, in one or several locations. A head of HR might answer to a director of HR or a recruitment director, and as such may or may not be privy to strategic and financial information the board is deciding – the head of HR is usually more involved with the day-to-day running of the department.

It is worth noting that experience at head of HR level stands the employee in good stead to tackle a directorial role, as the hands-on experience gained will give invaluable insight into the position’s demands,, as well as an appreciation of what the role entails. The head of HR will have close contact with the HR team and other employees within the company as he or she puts the board’s strategic HR plan into action.

The skills required

Most heads of human resources come from HR backgrounds, and those who can demonstrate an ability to see projects through on their own initiative will be considered highly. Of course, if you are already a head of HR and your team is successfully putting your board’s plans into action, that will signify a talent that is prized in the jobs market.

A head of HR may be asked to perform challenging tasks such as setting up completely new strategies, such as an employee reward scheme or a training programme with bespoke modules for certain employees. In such situations you may be expected to develop them yourself, and as such need to keep the board informed of progress and effectiveness.

Head of HR Jobs in Wakefield

Wakefield is a city just south of Leeds that comprises the five towns of Pontefract, Castleford, Normanton, Featherstone and Knottingley, as well as other minor towns. With a population of around 325,000, it’s a moderately sized city that is overshadowed by its northern neighbour and Sheffield, which is 20 miles (31 km) to the south. Wakefield is well connected by rail and road, with the M62 and the M1 passing by its north and west respectively.

The city and its constituent towns boomed during the Industrial Revolution when vast seams of coal were discovered beneath them. The area dug hundreds of mines and this remained the key industry in the area until the 1980s when they were closed down one by one. The last remaining one is Kellingley Colliery, located at Knottingley, just east of Pontefract.

The city remains industrial, however, although the days of heavy industry are largely gone. The city’s excellent communications and central location have made it an ideal place to site warehouses, factories and distribution centres, so Head of HR jobs regularly appear in the Wakefield area. There are also regeneration projects going on in the city designed to diversify and stimulate the economy, and this looks set to bring further growth to an area that has had to reinvent itself completely in thirty years.

Looking to advance your career?

Find Head of HR Jobs with Cast UK

Many employers come directly to Cast UK instead of advertising their positions; they know we will go to great lengths to ensure we find the right people. That’s why it’s a good idea to get in touch with us even if you can’t see a head of HR job advertised. Bear in mind that in HR, the same job often has several different titles in different companies! We know exactly what to look out for.

Likewise if you are an employer and you are at the point where you are looking for HR managers and executives, please get in touch, as we are experts at making connections with top talent.

Call us today on 0333 121 3345 if you’re looking for a head of HR role.

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