Human Resources Manager; maternity cover

Overview

We are looking for an experienced HR professional to lead and run the HR function at both a strategic and operational level, providing expert guidance and leadership across the organisation. You will provide high-level support to the Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer, ensuring the timely and effective delivery of HR services, both internally and with external partners.

This role is particularly suited to a confident, adaptable HR leader who can support and guide the organisation through a period of significant change, including the transition to a new CEO. You will play a key role in shaping organisational culture, embedding change initiatives, and ensuring HR strategies align with business objectives and values.

The successful candidate will combine strong operational HR expertise with strategic insight, acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders while maintaining high standards of governance, compliance, and employee experience.

This is a two-stage application process. The first stage will involve an interview, and the second stage will consist of an interview and a potential task. First stage interviews will take place w/c 2 February 2026 (online via MS Teams). Second stage interviews will take place w/c 9 February 2026 (in-person at our office). There might be an opportunity for final candidates to meet the incoming CEO.

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• Lead and run the HR function at both strategic and operational levels, providing expert guidance across the organisation.
• Provide high-level support to the Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer, ensuring timely and effective delivery of HR services internally and with external partners.
• Support and guide the organisation through a period of significant change, including the transition to a new CEO.
• Shape organisational culture, embed change initiatives, and ensure HR strategies align with business objectives and values.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders while maintaining high standards of governance, compliance, and employee experience.

• Experienced Human Resources Manager with a strong track record of providing strategic HR leadership at a senior level, ideally within the charity or social impact sectors.
• Extensive experience in employee relations, performance management, and organisational development; ability to advise senior leaders and resolve complex HR issues with discretion and professionalism.
• Motivated self-starter who can work independently while influencing and collaborating with senior teams and trustees.
• Deep understanding of inclusive recruitment, employment law, payroll, pensions, and HR systems.
• Proactive, CIPD Level 7-qualified professional (or equivalent senior-level experience) with the ability to embed equality, diversity, and inclusion into all aspects of HR practice.
• Strong stakeholder management, strategic thinking, and the ability to turn people insights into actionable organisational improvements.

Hours:

Four to five days a week (flexible - minimum 28 hours/week). The Young Foundation supports a 4.5 day working week and staff work this, wherever possible (pro rata for those working less than a 35-hour week).

Contract:

Up to one year fixed term contract. Start date March 2026.

Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus three office closure days between Christmas and New Year. We also provide two wellbeing days per year. Staff are signed up to one of two pension schemes and access a personalised well-being budget through Better Space. All employees also have access to our Employee Assistance Programme.

The Young Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation driving community research and social innovation. We bring communities, organisations and policymakers together to understand the issues people care about and support collective action to improve lives. We involve communities in research and innovate together to inspire positive change.