Job Description

Xperience helps SMEs unlock the full potential of their business using Digital Solutions, built with Xperience. Our industry experts get to know our client's business inside and out, exploring processes, pain points and people, to build tailored technology across Cloud & IT Services, Cyber Security, CRM, and ERP. With solutions designed around client operations, we provide the freedom to be more productive and focus on what is important for your business - without getting sidetracked by administration. At Xperience, we create digital solutions with the power to improve and protect your business, both now and in the future.

Our people are what make us different. They are the primary reason our clients recommend us. Their unique skills and infectious energy help our clients focus on what matters most. Our people actively engage with clients using a collaborative style that prioritises teamwork and trust. As a rapidly growing business, we look for people who share our values (of integrity, collaboration, ambition and success) to come on our growth journey with us and create an amazing career #BuiltwithXperience.

About The Role

The Interim People Director plays a critical role in ensuring the successful attraction, recruitment, ongoing engagement and retention of the best talent for our rapidly growing organisation.

As a seasoned people professional you will provide professional, strategic advice to the C-suite/Board and wider Leadership Team on best practice in relation to all matters People, whilst leading a team of three people professionals, and supporting over 250 employees in a multi-site, multi-jurisdiction environment across the UK.

You'll have the ability to confidently communicate and implement the vision for the department and the wider employee experience, gaining buy-in and alignment from key stakeholders to the mission. You'll bring the drive, dedication and passion to deliver multiple people change projects simultaneously and at pace.

As a strategic thinker yet hands on leader with the ability to challenge and see beyond the status quo, you'll balance the strategic and operational on a daily basis.

As Xperience is an investor backed business with a UK footprint, this role will suit someone coming from a professional services background, ideally within a PE backed environment.

What you'll be getting up to on a day-to-day basis

Strategic Leadership

Oversee and support a scalable and agile operating model that drives value creation in line with the organisation's commercial goals, by taking the lead on implementing in-flight key people strategies per the People Plan Partner closely with executive leadership to design and implement organisational strategies and changes that improve efficiency, performance, and culture Execute talent management strategies that attract, retain, and develop top talent, ensuring a high performing, engaged workforce Drive engagement and collaboration across the People Team and throughout the organisation; encouraging collaborative working Lead, develop, coach and engage the People Team members to perform to their optimum and in turn best support the business

Performance Management

Implement and drive a robust performance management process that integrates technology, best practice in people management, with data and analytics to improve insight and decision-making in relation to performance management and reward strategy Embed a performance-led culture, driving accountability at all levels across the business Oversee the annual performance management cycle, taking learnings and seizing opportunities for improvement throughout

Reward Management and Harmonisation

Implement an Annual Performance Related Reward Process including: Implementing a job evaluation process across all roles Lead a market benchmarking exercise across all roles Develop a pay structure including job families and banding framework Devise a wider total compensation framework that looks across all aspects of reward including benefits, bonuses and pay progression Develop a Reward Policy and Process that aligns with organisational budgeting processes, that fairly rewards yet manages costs Lead on the harmonisation of contractual benefits (e.g. pension, PMI) to single policies and providers across our collection of acquired entities, introducing salary sacrifice options where possible Continually evaluate our market position and employee feedback to ensure we remain a best-in-class employer

People Operations and Compliance

In collaboration with the People Operations Manager, oversee all core BAU People functions and processes (eg. employee relations, recruitment, admin, reporting) ensuring that fit-for-purpose policies and procedures are in place and tailored to, legislative changes, market trends and employee needs Maintain a robust approach to employment law and employee relations, with a focus on consistency and legal compliance

Systems and Reporting

Oversee the ongoing evolution, implementation and optimisation of our HCM system (HiBob), identifying opportunities to: Automate and systemise robust processes, policies and procedures that drive departmental and organisational efficiency Create self-serve processes Improve data collection and accuracy Drive user adoption and engagement Contribute to monthly Board reporting, providing metrics and insights across People and ESG Own the annual People budget, ensuring robust financial management In collaboration with Finance, oversee the monthly payroll processes ensuring reporting accuracy

Talent Acquisition

Support 'out of the norm' strategic sourcing efforts (e.g. contractors, offshoring) to ensure the business has the appropriate levels of human capability at all times Oversee and continually evaluate the recruitment and selection process, identifying opportunities to drive efficiencies in process via the use of technology, and deliver a best-in-class applicant experience Partner with preferred suppliers and external partners to ensure scalable talent acquisition solutions

M&A

Partner with external stakeholders to support the due diligence process from a people perspective Take the lead on all people aspects of M&A integration through the swift, engaging, and thorough alignment to the 'One Xperience' ethos Implement post-acquisition integration plans, with focus on system, polices, process, internal comms, culture, leadership alignment, compliance, metrics and reporting In collaboration with operational leaders, identify and execute post-acquisition strategies that gain operational and cost synergies

ESG & Employee Engagement

In partnership with the Chief Operating Officer, design and deliver upon the ESG Strategy, translating strategic priorities into actionable outcomes Take the lead on and act as a champion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) strategies Own mandatory reporting needs e.g. Gender Pay Gap ensuring legislative compliance Drive and measure employee engagement, developing action plans in response to feedback Build and continuously evolve the Employee Value Proposition In partnership with the Marketing Director, design and deliver upon the Internal Comms Strategy

Organisational Development

Guide and support senior leaders in navigating the complexities of organisational change and building leadership capabilities across the business Supporting restructuring initiatives across Redundancy and TUPE Oversee the development of learning and development programmes tailored to the needs of a rapidly evolving business environment Drive a culture of continuous improvement by identifying and addressing gaps in leadership, employee engagement, and operational effectiveness

Stakeholder Collaboration

Develop and maintain effective relationships with business leaders to ensure alignment on people priorities Build strong relationships with C-suite and private equity stakeholders Operate as a key member of the wider leadership team demonstrating our values and supporting behaviours, be seen as an ambassador for the business

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

Proven and wide-ranging generalist experience as the Lead People Professional, within a fast-paced, high-growth, professional services organisation (over 200+ employees and 35 mil turnover) Demonstrable expertise in driving organisational change initiatives simultaneously across at least three of the following: Performance Management Reward M&A HR systems ESG Demonstrable current knowledge of GB and NI employment law Skilled in using technology and data analytics to support decision-making Strong business and commercial acumen with experience in managing budgets Ability to analyse risks and implement mitigation strategies effectively and at pace Ability to execute at both strategic and operational levels in complex, fast-paced, ambiguous environments, adapting to shifting priorities and deadlines Collaborative and influential communicator with strong stakeholder management skills Culturally intelligent with multi-site experience and a willingness to travel regularly throughout the UK Demonstrates high levels of integrity and professional standards Chartered Membership of the CIPD

Desirable Criteria:

Degree level qualification (in Business / HR) Chartered Fellowship of the CIPD Previously experience within the IT MSP space

Competencies

Building Relationships and influencing

Effectively influences key stakeholders to take positive action that will advance business goals. Presents themselves with self-assurance, has presence. Demonstrates consistency between words and behaviours. Lives and promotes the values of the organisation and encourages others to do so. Provides direction, inspires and motivates without relying on status or position. Understands others, complex or underlying needs, motivations, emotions or concerns and adjust communication effectively. Treats employees fairly by applying consistent management principles.

Teamwork & Collaboration

Creates and supports an environment that allows people to work collaboratively to deliver results. Builds positive and collaborative working relationships with peer groups to achieve common goals. Resolves conflict among team members sensitively and fairly. Appropriately involves others in decisions and plans that affect them. Encourages team members to understand other departments' perspectives and constraints removing barriers to cross departmental collaboration.

Judgement and decision making

Takes calculated risks, weighing up pros and cons of decisions. Able to articulate business risk, impact and mitigation for resolution. Knows when to stand firm and when to accommodate. Makes quality business decisions based on data and facts, not emotion, and weighs up alternative solutions. Considers impact of decisions made on other departments. Makes the right decisions, not taking the easy option.

Xperience is an equal opportunities employer

Job Types: Temporary, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 6 months

Benefits:

Additional leave Bereavement leave Company pension Cycle to work scheme Free parking Paid volunteer time Referral programme
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Lisburn, BT28 2EX

Reference ID: IPD/07/25
Expected start date: 01/08/2025