Oxford Bus Company and its sister companies Pulham & Sons, Thames Travel, Carousel Buses, Pearces Coaches and City Sightseeing Oxford are part of the Go-Ahead Group, which is one of the major public transport operators in the country.

The business operates over 500 buses and coaches across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire and surrounding counties, with services including the Oxford Park & Ride, the Oxford “City Sightseeing” tour, and the award-winning airline coach service to Heathrow and Gatwick Airports. The combined business has a turnover of £100m and employs more than 1,100 staff.

Reporting into the Finance Director, the Head of People will be responsible for leading all elements of HR and people strategy across the businesses. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will lead initiatives for the entire employee cycle, including recruitment, talent and performance management, policies, diversity and inclusion and occupational health. 

Key responsibilities will include:

• Develop and implement the Group’s people strategy, including action plans following staff surveys and feedback
• Lead and manage a small HR team across key areas such as recruitment, onboarding, performance management, development, remuneration and employment law
• Represent the company alongside the Directors at regular meetings with the trade union (UNITE)
• Work with colleagues across the Go-Ahead Group on key HR projects, including implementation of a new HR system
• Analyse HR metrics and trends to inform decision making within the Senior Leadership Team
• Provide guidance and training to managers and staff on a range of HR issues
• Ensure that developments in employment law are well understood, including impacts on the Group’s policies and practices
• Lead on key employment practices such as ACAS liaison, TUPE and employment law training
• Work with the Senior Leadership Team on talent development programmes
• Lead the management and renewal of the Investors in People certification
• Contribute to diversity and inclusion initiatives and programmes

Happy being in the business five days per week and working from the Head Office in Cowley, Oxford the successful candidate will be CIPD qualified or equivalent and bring strong experience managing people processes and culture in a company with a large and diverse workforce. This opportunity will suit a strong relationship builder who enjoys being in the business and is able to develop, communicate and implement new ideas to improve HR processes and company culture. Experience with unionised workforces would be advantageous.

For an informal and confidential discussion, please speak with our advisors at Berwick Partners:

Hannah Russell

Consultant, HR Leadership

Berwick Partners

 T: +44 (0) 20 7367 9750 / M: +44 (0) 7976 772 919

hannah.russell@berwickpartners.co.uk