Director of People & Talent - London

Director of People & Talent - London

Why Join London & Partners?

London & Partners is London’s Growth Agency — a unique social enterprise that combines commercial ambition with purpose-driven impact . We operate at the heart of London’s global economy, driving investment, innovation, and international partnerships. From scaling high-growth businesses to attracting global capital and major events, our work shapes the future of one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

Joining us means becoming part of a global organisation with a bold mission and a collaborative culture. You’ll work alongside passionate professionals, engage with influential partners, and help shape London’s talent landscape. If you’re driven by purpose and excited by complexity, London & Partners offers a career like no other.

Purpose of the Role ( You can view the full Job description on the downloadable file on this page, which includes what to include in your application)

As Director of People & Talent , you will be the senior leader responsible for shaping and executing our global people strategy. This is a strategic and influential role, partnering with the Executive Team to ensure our workforce is empowered, agile, and aligned with business goals. You’ll lead a high-performing team to attract, develop, and retain exceptional talent, build confident and capable leaders, and foster a values-driven, inclusive culture that reflects the diversity of London.

This is your opportunity to lead transformation in a fast-paced, commercially focused environment , influencing decisions at board level and driving innovation in talent strategy.

Key Tasks

Strategic Leadership

• Shape the organisation’s global culture and people strategy in collaboration with the Management Committee and Senior Leadership Team.
• Provide expert counsel on all people-related matters, influencing decisions at the highest level.
• Lead the development and delivery of the People & Talent business plan and budget, aligned with corporate objectives.

Operational Excellence

• Lead the People & Talent team with a commitment to quality, performance, and inclusion.
• Oversee the full employment lifecycle, ensuring compliance with employment law and best practice.
• Manage payroll operations and vendor relationships across multiple territories and currencies.
• Attend Board and Committee meetings as required to present and seek approval on People matters.

Culture, Inclusion & Engagement

• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion across the organisation.
• Create workspaces that foster collaboration, engagement, and wellbeing.
• Analyse employee feedback and data to enhance culture and drive continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement wellbeing, health, and counselling policies.

Business Partnership

• Partner with Finance and PMO to lead business planning and performance reporting.
• Support succession planning and executive talent acquisition.
• Stay abreast of HR trends, legislation, and digital transformation opportunities.

You’ll have/bring

Leadership Capabilities

• Strategic Vision – Ability to shape and deliver people strategy aligned with long-term business goals.
• Operational Excellence – Strong prioritisation and time management across competing demands.
• Influential Communication – Skilled in leading diverse teams, building trust, and collaborating across functions.
• Commercial Acumen – Understands business drivers, financials, and resourcing to influence strategic decisions.
• HR Expertise – Deep knowledge of employment law, employee relations, and HR best practices.
• Coaching & Mentoring – Proven ability to develop talent across all levels.
• Values-Driven Leadership – Role models organisational values and culture as part of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Integrity & Discretion – Trusted confidante with sound judgement and high ethical standards.

Experience & Qualifications

• Degree-level education and CIPD Chartered status (Fellow preferred).
• Proven success leading high-performing HR teams.
• Experience advising senior leaders and influencing strategic decisions.
• Strong track record in employment law, employee relations, and organisational development.
• High emotional intelligence with the ability to inspire and influence across the organisation.
• Experience navigating complex stakeholder environments, including public-private partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cultural transformation, drive inclusion, and embed values.
• Diplomatic, pragmatic, and adaptable.
• Commercially astute with a strategic mindset.
• Trusted leader with high integrity and sound judgement.

Preferred Experience: Experience working across both public and private sectors, with insight into their governance, culture, and operational dynamics.

You’ll Get

• ? Competitive Salary: We value your contributions and ensure you are rewarded accordingly.
• ? Learning & Development Opportunities: Continuous growth is at the heart of our culture, with ample opportunities for professional development.
• ? Strong Culture of Belonging: We foster an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued and supported.
• ? Various Networks for Staff: Connect with like-minded colleagues through our numerous staff networks.
• ? Competitive Pension Scheme: Secure your future with our robust pension plan.
• ? Networking Opportunities: Expand your professional network within your chosen field.
• ? Geopolitical Insights: Gain unique perspectives on global economic and political trends.
• ? Hybrid Working Arrangement: Enjoy the flexibility of working both remotely and in-office.
• ✈️ WorkFlex: Take advantage of opportunities to work abroad and experience different cultures.

London's diversity is its biggest asset. At London & Partners, we aim to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of the city that we promote. We encourage applications from people of any age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or assignment, faith or disability. We also appreciate that many people require flexibility in their working patterns and encourage you to talk to us at interview about any flexibility you may need, be it full-time, job-share, or part-time.

We encourage applications from all sections of the community.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure our teams can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment