You will act as the organisation's lead adviser on people, culture and workforce matters; and help turn our People Strategy into practical action, ensuring that agreed priorities are translated into clear plans, measurable progress and visible improvements in the experience of colleagues across the organisations. You will play a central role in shaping organisational culture, supporting leaders, developing workforce capability and ensuring that our people practices align with our values and long-term ambitions.

People First, The Well Communities and Carers Support West Cumbria are values-led organisations working in partnership to help people live informed, respected, healthy and fulfilled lives. With around 250 committed colleagues and services across Cumbria, Lancashire and the North East, we are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Head of People & Culture to help shape the next phase of our organisational development.

This is a key strategic leadership role with responsibility for developing our People Strategy, strengthening organisational culture, building leadership capability and ensuring we have the workforce, systems and practices needed to support sustainable growth and high-quality services.

Working closely with the Chief Executive, Directors, Heads of Service and Trustees, you will lead on all aspects of people and organisational culture, helping to create an environment where our colleagues feel valued, supported and able to perform at their best.

Supported by an operational HR resource, you will focus on strategic leadership, the management of complex people matters, and expert guidance and assurance across both organisations.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Director of Finance and Business, you will act as the organisation's lead adviser on people, culture and workforce matters.

You will help turn our People Strategy into practical action, ensuring that agreed priorities are translated into clear plans, measurable progress and visible improvements in the experience of colleagues across the organisations.

You will play a central role in shaping organisational culture, supporting leaders, developing workforce capability and ensuring that our people practices align with our values and long-term ambitions.

Key priorities will include:

• Develop and deliver a long-term People and Culture Strategy aligned to organisational priorities and future ambitions.
• Lead workforce planning activities to ensure the organisation has the capability, capacity and skills required for future growth and sustainability.
• Build leadership and management capability through coaching, mentoring and development programmes that support confident, compassionate, inclusive and accountable leadership at every level.
• Support managers to apply policies, hold effective conversations, make fair decisions and create consistent colleague experiences across teams and services.
• Provide leadership and expert advice on complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability and attendance management processes, building internal capability and reducing reliance on external employment advice where appropriate.
• Overall accountability for the HR function, including line management of our HR Manager and oversight of the wider HR team.
• Lead or support investigations relating to sensitive and complex workforce issues where required.
• Support organisational change and workforce development initiatives.
• Champion clear, timely and compassionate communication through periods of change, helping leaders build trust, explain decisions well and support colleagues through uncertainty.
• Create a joined-up learning and development framework, including the establishment of a staff academy to support professional and personal growth across the workforce.
• Lead organisation-wide job evaluation and role benchmarking.
• Develop fair and transparent progression pathways, talent management and succession planning.
• Support the development of fair and transparent approaches to reward, recognition and employee benefits.
• Lead initiatives that strengthen organisational culture, employee engagement and wellbeing.
• Lead the organisation’s work towards Investors in People accreditation, using the framework to strengthen leadership, colleague engagement, development and continuous improvement.
• Support the development of an inclusive, values-driven workplace where colleagues feel respected, empowered, heard and able to thrive, with particular attention to equity, belonging, accessibility and different ways of working.
• Strengthen staff voice by developing meaningful ways for colleagues to share feedback, influence decisions and see how their input shapes organisational priorities, culture and ways of working.
• Lead a proactive approach to colleague wellbeing, psychological safety and workload sustainability, helping leaders identify pressures early and create working practices that support healthy, high-performing teams.
• Contribute to organisational governance, assurance and strategic decision-making through regular reporting, expert advice and engagement with the HR Committee and Board.
• Develop clear measures of success for people and culture activity, using workforce data, staff feedback and agreed indicators to track progress, identify risks and demonstrate impact to senior leaders, Trustees and colleagues.

 

About You

You will be an experienced and credible people professional who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery. You will be comfortable operating at Board and senior leadership level while remaining approachable, pragmatic and focused on achieving positive outcomes.

You will bring a strong understanding of employee relations, organisational development and workforce planning together with a genuine passion for creating great places to work.

Essential Requirements: 

• A strong commitment to the organisations’ values, with the ability to model them consistently and embed them in leadership, decision-making and people practices.
• Chartered MCIPD, FCIPD or equivalent senior-level professional experience.
• Significant experience operating at a senior HR or People leadership level.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience leading complex disciplinary, grievance and capability matters.
• Experience conducting investigations and managing organisational risk.
• The ability to influence and challenge constructively at senior leadership and Board level.
• Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing people strategies that support organisational objectives.
• A proven track record of supporting organisational change and workforce development programmes.
• The credibility and confidence to operate as the organisation's lead people professional.

 

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact across three ambitious organisations that are committed to improving lives and strengthening communities.

You will have the opportunity to shape culture, influence strategy, develop future leaders and create meaningful improvements to the experience of colleagues across both organisations.

In return, we offer:

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• The opportunity to operate as a trusted member of the senior leadership team.
• A role with genuine influence and visibility across both organisations.
• The chance to make a significant contribution to the future success of values-led organisations making a real difference in their communities.

We welcome applications from experienced Heads of People, HR Directors, Senior People Partners and senior HR consultants seeking a flexible leadership role where they can make a visible and lasting impact.

For more information or to arrange a pre application chat please email Lindsay Graham, SLT lead for our People Committee. [email protected]

To apply

If you’re interested in the role and think you’d be a good fit, we’d like to hear from you.  

Please email your CV, including details of two referees, to [email protected]  

Alternatively, post your application for the attention of Barry/Maison to: People First Conference Centre, Milbourne Street, Carlisle, CA2 5XB.  

All applications should be clearly marked: “Confidential – Head of People and Culture”.

Closing date – 5.00pm, 26th October 2026