Job Title: Head of People
Department: People Team
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Responsible for:
Senior Manager – Recruitment and Training
People Advisor
Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 (Dependent on Experience)
Closing date: 2nd August
Interviews w/c: 10th August
Brentford FC Community Sports Trust
With community work spanning three decades, Brentford FC Community Sports Trust has established itself as a pioneering organisation for the local community. It uses the power of sport to educate, motivate and inspire people from all walks of life.
As an independent charity working in partnership with Brentford Football Club, the Trust offers a portfolio of programmes in education, health, sports participation and community engagement. The Trust has won the ‘Football League Community Club of the Year’ award four times and now employs more than 100 members of staff.
Inclusion Statement
Brentford FCCST is an organisation which values and is passionate about diversity and inclusivity. We welcome and encourage applications from qualified candidates, including those from underrepresented groups such as those from ethnically diverse backgrounds, women, those from the LGBTQ+ community and those with disabilities. Should you require any workplace accommodations (also known as ‘reasonable adjustments), you will have the opportunity to let us know at the appropriate points in the hiring process.
Safeguarding Statement
Brentford FCCST is committed to equality, the safeguarding and welfare of all children and adults at risk. This responsibility is shared by all staff and volunteers at the club, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Staff will be required to undertake regular safeguarding training to enable and reinforce a proactive approach to safeguarding. This role requires the post holder to apply all relevant policies and uphold the club’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable people to ensure a safe environment for all. This includes the timely reporting of any safeguarding concern to the safeguarding team. We remind those barred from regulated activity that it is an offence to apply for such positions.
Role Summary
The Head of People will be responsible for delivering an efficient, compliant and people-focused HR service across the Community Trust, supporting approximately 78 permanent employees and 125 casual workers.
This is a hands-on operational role with a strong focus on employee relations, HR processes and compliance, payroll coordination and finalisation, and providing practical people support to managers across the organisation.
The role will directly manage the People Advisor and the Senior Manager - Recruitment & Training Manager, ensuring the effective delivery of recruitment, onboarding, training, compliance, and employee relations. Collaborating closely with departmental leaders, Finance, and safeguarding teams, the People Lead will ensure that people practices, foster a positive employee experience, and promote a culture aligned with the Trust’s values.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Team Management
Provide effective day-to-day leadership and management of the People Advisor and Recruitment & Training Manager.
Set priorities, allocate workloads and ensure the People team delivers a high-quality, responsive service across the Trust.
Support the development and performance of direct reports through regular coaching, feedback and development planning.
Foster a collaborative, customer-focused and solutions-oriented approach within the People team.
Employee Relations
Lead and manage employee relations casework, providing advice and guidance on disciplinary, grievance, absence management, performance, probation and capability matters.
Support managers in resolving people issues in a timely, fair and consistent manner, ensuring compliance with employment legislation and internal policies.
Liaise with external employment law advisers where required on complex cases and organisational matters.
Maintain accurate case management records and identify trends requiring organisational intervention or support.
Support organisational change initiatives and workforce planning activity where required.
HR Operations and Compliance
Oversee and deliver the day-to-day delivery of HR processes across the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, contract management, employee changes and offboarding.
Maintain and continually improve HR policies, procedures and systems to ensure compliance, consistency and operational efficiency.
Ensure compliance with employment legislation, safer recruitment practices and safeguarding requirements.
Lead HR compliance activity, including supporting external audits and managing safeguarding-related people processes.
Prepare and coordinate workforce data, people metrics and management information for senior leadership and Trustees.
Ensure employee records and HR systems are maintained accurately and confidentially.
Payroll and Benefits Safeguarding
Lead the monthly payroll process, ensuring all payroll changes are accurately reviewed, authorised and submitted within agreed deadlines.
Take responsibility for payroll finalisation and sign-off, working closely with Finance and payroll providers to ensure employees are paid accurately and on time.
Coordinate pension administration, employee benefits and life assurance arrangements.
Conduct regular audits of payroll and people data to ensure accuracy, compliance and effective record keeping.
Act as the key point of contact for payroll and benefits queries.
Safeguarding
Build a strong working relationship with the Safeguarding team, ensuring Safeguarding is continually embedded within the Trust.
Work with the Head of Safeguarding on Safeguarding and people initiatives to promote a Safeguarding culture throughout the Trust.
Responsible for Safer Recruitment practices and compliance, including internal and external audits.
Employee Engagement and Wellbeing
Lead employee engagement activities, including staff surveys, pulse surveys and wellbeing initiatives.
Analyse employee feedback and recommend actions that enhance engagement, retention and culture.
Champion wellbeing initiatives and support the delivery of programmes that promote positive mental health and employee wellbeing.
Promote inclusive practices that support a positive, respectful and high-performing workplace culture.
EDI
People Lead for the EDI Strategy group, ensuring that EDI strategic objectives are met and taken forward.
Collaborate with the Senior Manager – Recruitment and Training and the EDI Manager (Club) to ensure EDI training is aligned with Trust values and fosters inclusion across the Trust.
Governance and Stakeholder Management
Work closely with Finance to ensure effective establishment control, headcount management and approval processes.
Produce people-related reports, updates and recommendations for senior leadership teams and Trustees.
People Lead for the People and Culture Subgroup, reporting to the People and Culture (Trustee) Chair, responsible for preparation and presentation of reports, papers and recommendations.
Build strong working relationships with managers across the organisation and with Trustees, and act as a trusted advisor on people matters.
Direct Reports
People Advisor
Senior Manager - Recruitment & Training Manager
Key Relationships
Internal
CEO & COO
Heads of Departments and Senior Managers
Safeguarding Teams
Trustees
External
Brentford Football Club: People Team, EDI, Safeguarding
Third Party Providers: Payroll and Benefits Providers
Person Specification
Essential Experience and Knowledge
Proven experience in a generalist HR or People role with significant exposure to employee relations case management.
Experience of advising and supporting managers on disciplinary, grievance, absence management, performance, probation and capability matters.
Strong knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR best practice.
Experience of managing and improving HR processes across the employee lifecycle.
Experience of coordinating and finalising payroll, working closely with finance teams and external payroll providers.
Experience of producing HR reports, workforce data and management information.
Experience of managing or supervising team members.
Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build effective relationships at all levels.
Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
High levels of discretion and confidentiality when handling sensitive employee information.
Strong communication and influencing skills with a practical and solution-focused approach.
Desirable Experience and Knowledge
Experience working within a charity, community trust, not-for-profit or social impact organisation.
Understanding of the governance, funding and compliance requirements associated with charitable organisations.
Experience supporting safeguarding-related people processes.
Experience supporting organisational change and workforce planning initiatives.
Experience of using Workday HRIS or a comparable HR system.
CIPD Level 5 qualification (or equivalent) desirable; CIPD Level 7 advantageous.
Key Focus Areas
Employee Relations
Payroll Coordination and Finalisation
HR Operations and Compliance
Recruitment and Onboarding Oversight
People Team Leadership
Workforce Reporting and Governance
Employee Engagement and Wellbeing
Safeguarding Compliance
Continuous Improvement of People Processes
General Trust Accountabilities
To ensure compliance with all relevant policies, including health and safety and safeguarding policies
To ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements
To ensure compliance with the Trust’s Code of Conduct.
To build and maintain good working relationships both internally and externally, maintaining a professional image at all times when representing Brentford FC Community Sports Trust
To keep confidential any information gained regarding the Trust and its personnel
To maintain a flexible approach to work at all times