• Job description

    Our people are at the forefront of delivering our ambitious vision and we’re looking for an experienced, inspirational, and strategically minded Head of People Development to join a forward-thinking organisation, focused on high performance and being an employer of choice.

    The Opportunity

    Our vision at Longhurst Group is clear; to improve lives. Intrinsic to this is an absolute commitment to be a high-performing and inclusive organisation that enables our people to be themselves and perform to their highest ability. To achieve this goal, we are now looking for an inspirational Head of People Development to shape our talent management, resourcing, learning, career, and leadership development across the Group.

    Whilst this role is offered on a permanent, full-time basis, what’s more important to us is finding the best person to join our team. As a result we would be happy to consider this role on a flexible or part-time basis This role will require you to be visible across our offices or locations, working from home with an average of 2 days per week at our Boston Office, PE21 2TQ with travel to Rushden and Peterborough as required for training or meeting purposes to support your colleagues or customer.

    You will be pivotal in ensuring that quality people are at the heart of everything we do at Longhurst Group and have the skills, capabilities, and motivation to deliver exceptional results and levels of customer experience. Engaging with our Senior Leadership team you’ll develop inclusive and fit for purpose workforce strategies that ensure we have the skills and talents we need now, and in the future, addressing existing and predicted labour shortages and development needs.

    As we progress our digital journey and enhance our digital offering to our customers, you’ll play a key role in building the digital capabilities of our people to maximise the benefits of our investment. You’ll be instrumental in the design and delivery of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy and approaches to build an inclusive and welcoming environment where colleagues can thrive.

    A key part of our leadership team, you’ll lead people development across the Group, ensuring your team supports the needs of an ambitious organisation and, ultimately, supports our people to provide the best possible service to our customers.

    The Person

    We’re looking for a dynamic individual, motivated by delivering change, comfortable joining us on a high paced transformation journey, who possesses significant experience and expertise across all people development and resourcing areas.  You’ll be passionate about driving high levels of engagement, shape our culture of learning and have excellent analytical skills being adept at measuring the benefits and return on investment of new, and innovative digital learning approaches.

    You’ll have experience of leading a business focused, highly performing learning and development and talent function to deliver related strategies, policies and services that support the Group’s vision and strategic aims.

    If you are looking for a role where you can create your legacy, an opportunity to influence success and drive change, please apply now

    What you’ll receive from us

      • A competitive 31-day annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time)
      • Car allowance as part of our Driving at Work Policy (non-contractual).
      • Pension Scheme with contributions matched by us up to 6.65%
      • Life Cover of three times your annual salary (as part of pension scheme membership)
      • Membership of our Health Care Cash Plan including Employee Assistance programme and DoctorLine
      • Access to a range of discounts, including Blue Light and B&Q Tradepoint Cards
      • Free access to financial education service, supporting with personalised financial information on a range of topics such as mortgages, retirement planning, pensions, saving and investments, insurance and will writing.
      • Free Eye Tests
      • Free flu vaccinations
      • Investment in your personal development through our extensive learning and development opportunities.
      • Professional subscription for membership fees relating to your role paid for by us.
      • Family friendly, carers leave plus other paid leave
      • Long Service Awards
      • Carers Networking Group and resources to support Unpaid Carers

    This role currently attracts a non-contractual car allowance through our Driving at Work Policy. Eligibility for the allowance and the rate of the allowance is reviewed annually and any changes will be notified to you.

    How to apply

    Please click apply now to submit your CV today. In the event of high applicant volumes we reserve the right to close this advert and CV submission window early.

    We do not require recruitment agency support at this time – all speculative CV’s will be treated as a direct application.

    Vetting Requirements

    The important things – We can only consider applications from candidates who have the right to live and work in the UK. All shortlisted candidates will need to verify eligibility to work in the UK at interview. If you are the successful candidate, original proof must then be provided before your first day.

    Naturally working with our customers, we need to complete pre-employment checks before you join us. This role is conditional upon receipt of two satisfactory references (one from your current employer). We also need you to tell us what you have been up to over the past 5 years as a minimum in terms of employment history. This could include carer duties, travel, seeking work, education, employment, training, or volunteering.

    Equal Opportunities

    As an equal opportunities’ employer, Longhurst Group is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

    We pride ourselves on looking after our colleagues and as part of our commitment we are an Employer for Carers and would welcome your application if you have additional unpaid caring responsibilities.

    We aspire to have a greater diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Longhurst Group

    Our company

    Longhurst Group is one of the leading housing groups in the Midlands and East of England, providing more than 24,000 homes and a wide range of care and support services.

    With a team of 1,300 colleagues guided by our shared values, our vision is to improve the lives of our customers and our colleagues and to enhance the communities we serve. We do this by focusing on two clear themes of work: Health and wellbeing and economic resilience.