Chief Peoples Officer. HR Director

HR Director / Chief People Officer

Berkshire | Software Development | Executive Leadership

Our client, an established and award‑winning software development business, is seeking a high‑calibre HR Director / Chief People Officer to join the Executive Leadership Team.

This is a broad generalist mandate combining operational discipline with strategic oversight. The role carries full accountability for shaping and delivering the People agenda in line with immediate commercial priorities and long‑term growth strategy.

The successful individual will operate as a trusted advisor to the Board, translating business objectives into structured workforce capability.

• Lead the full generalist HR function across Talent Acquisition, Engagement, Development and Retention
• Align People strategy with revenue growth, operational scale and organisational design
• Establish governance, compliance and risk frameworks across all HR activity
• Drive workforce planning, succession and leadership capability
• Lead organisational change, acquisitions and TUPE processes
• Build a performance‑led culture grounded in accountability and clarity

This is both strategic and hands‑on. The role requires presence, judgement and execution.

• Structured and sustainable talent pipelines
• Measurable improvements in engagement and retention
• Clear performance frameworks across the organisation
• Data‑informed People decisions aligned to commercial outcomes
• A People function recognised as a business enabler, not a support service

• Proven HR leadership at Director or CPO level
• Strong generalist grounding with operational depth
• Experience with in Software, SaaS, Cloud or Technology environments
• Executive‑level exposure and Board partnership
• Commercially astute with experience supporting growth and scale
• CIPD qualified (Level 5+ preferred)
• Degree educated (2:1 or above)

This opportunity will appeal to a People leader who combines structured thinking with commercial awareness and who is comfortable operating where strategy meets delivery.