Human Resources Director

Human Resources Director

Permanent Hybrid Working (50% London Office Attendance - non contractual) London

Hays are delighted to be working exclusively with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to appoint a Human Resources Director.
This is a rare opportunity to join a globally recognised, purpose-led organisation at a pivotal point in its evolution. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the HR Director will provide visible leadership across a London-based international HR and Learning & Development function, supporting a workforce operating across around 24 countries.

The role offers the opportunity to build on the significant progress already made within the HR function and help shape and deliver its next stage of maturity. You will play a critical role in ensuring the organisation continues to attract, develop and retain talented people while providing expert advice on complex people matters across multiple international jurisdictions.

The Opportunity

This is a genuinely hands-on HR Director role. Working closely with the Chief Operating Officer, Executive Committee and senior stakeholders worldwide, you will lead a developing HR function through its next phase of growth and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Providing strategic and operational leadership across the HR and Learning & Development function
• Leading HR operations across the full employee lifecycle including recruitment, reward, employee relations, compliance, systems and people data
• Acting as a trusted adviser to the Chief Operating Officer and senior leadership team on complex and sensitive people matters
• Leading and developing an HR team and supporting continued capability growth
• Reviewing, maintaining and improving HR policies, processes and governance frameworks across multiple countries
• Ensuring compliance with employment legislation and HR best practice across multiple international jurisdictions
• Driving consistency and best practice across international HR operations
• Leading annual reward and pay review processes
• Overseeing HR systems, reporting and people analytics to support business decision-making
• Working closely with leaders to strengthen management capability and performance across the organisation

About You

We are keen to speak with credible and experienced HR leaders who can demonstrate:

• Significant experience leading a broad HR function at Head of HR, HR Director or equivalent level with experience leading and developing HR teams
• Proven recent experience operating across multiple countries and international employment environments
• Strong expertise across employee relations, recruitment, reward, policy, compliance and HR operations
• Experience in supporting senior leaders and advising on complex people matters
• Experience improving systems and governance frameworks
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Chartered CIPD membership (or equivalent senior HR qualification)
• Degree-level education or equivalent senior professional experience

Whilst sector background is flexible, candidates must demonstrate a genuine interest in working within a mission-led organisation and be motivated by the opportunity to contribute to the MSC's environmental and sustainability goals.

Why Join MSC?

The MSC's vision is for the world's oceans to be teeming with life, and seafood supplies safeguarded for this and future generations. Today, the impacts of overfishing and climate change pose an even greater threat to the ocean and fish stocks. Through our internationally recognised certification and ecolabeling program, well-managed sustainable fisheries are recognised and rewarded throughout the seafood supply chain. Over 700 fisheries around the world, representing 19% of the annual global marine catch, are now engaged in the MSC program and MSC certified and labelled seafood products are now available in over 66 countries. Through partnerships and collective endeavour, we are on a mission to end overfishing.

This is an opportunity to join an organisation with real purpose while leading and developing a high-performing international HR function during an exciting period of growth and change.

Additional Information

• Permanent position
• Hybrid working model, which is non-contractual (minimum 50% office attendance)
• London-based role
• 25 days annual leave
• Enhanced pension arrangements
• Life assurance
• International exposure and stakeholder engagement
• Significant opportunity to influence organisational culture, capability and people strategy

If you are an experienced HR leader with international experience, strong operational capability and a passion for building high-performing organisations, we would love to hear from you.

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