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. We operate 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.
Job Purpose:
As Head of People, you will lead all aspects of HR and people strategy across the Oxford Bus Company and its sister companies. Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, you will be responsible for overseeing the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment and talent management to performance, policies, diversity and inclusion, and occupational health. Your leadership will shape and enhance the employee experience, ensuring that the workforce is engaged, supported, and aligned with the company’s values and strategic goals.
Principal Accountabilities:
- Develop and implement the Group’s people strategy, including action plans in response to staff surveys and feedback.
- Lead and manage a small HR team, overseeing key HR functions such as recruitment, onboarding, performance management, development, remuneration, and ensuring compliance with employment law.
- Represent the company at regular meetings with the trade union (UNITE) alongside the Directors, fostering positive industrial relations.
- Collaborate with colleagues across the Go-Ahead Group on strategic HR projects, including the 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, ensuring that both managers and staff are well-supported.
- Stay abreast of developments in employment law, ensuring the Group’s policies and practices remain compliant and aligned with the latest regulations.
- Lead key employment practices such as ACAS liaison, TUPE, and employment law training.
- Work with the Senior Leadership Team to develop talent management and development programmes to enhance skills and leadership within the business.
- Lead the management and renewal of the Investors in People (IIP) certification to promote a high standard of workplace culture.
- Contribute to and lead initiatives around diversity and inclusion within the company, ensuring a positive and inclusive work environment for all.
Knowledge & Experience:
- CIPD-qualified or equivalent, with a strong understanding of HR best practices and people management.
- Extensive senior-level experience managing HR processes and culture in a large, diverse workforce.
- A strong passion for developing a people-centric culture and improving employee engagement across the business.
- Proven experience in driving recruitment programmes across various operational and administrative roles.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, numeracy, and literacy skills, with the ability to engage effectively with individuals at all levels.
- Well-developed stakeholder management skills, including the ability to liaise with trade unions and senior leadership teams.
- A proactive approach to challenging existing processes and implementing innovative ideas to improve company culture and HR practices.
- Experience working with unionised workforces would be advantageous.
- Strong relationship-building abilities, with a balanced approach to addressing HR issues in an empathetic yet assertive manner.
- Ability to work autonomously and take initiative, while engaging with staff across various operational levels.
At The Go-Ahead Group, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone is treated with respect and equality. We believe that a variety of perspectives drives innovation and strengthens our ability to serve the communities we operate in. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or background. At Go-Ahead, we ensure that every employee has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to our collective success, in an environment that values differences and promotes fairness.
