Head of People and Culture

The Head of People and Culture will lead and develop a high-performing HR function aligned with the charity’s mission and values. You will provide strategic leadership while also offering hands-on support across generalist HR matters, compliance, systems, and people development. You’ll work closely with the leadership team and play a key role in shaping culture, building organisational capacity, and ensuring best practice in all HR policies and processes.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership
•    Develop and implement a people strategy as part of the new corporate plan, aligned with the charity’s mission, values, and strategic goals.
•    Provide expert advice to the Leadership team on HR best practice, policy and employment law.
•    Drive organisational HR change initiatives during periods of growth, inputting into scenario planning, annual budgeting and terms and conditions reviews.
•    Own and manage the HR risk register as part of the corporate risk plan
•    Champion core values of the charity; empathy, passion, integrity, innovation and collaboration.
•    Produce reports for the Chief Executive and Board of directors on key HR matters and metrics.
•    Manage and support the HR Generalist, delegating responsibility and advising appropriately.

Compliance Oversight
•    Maintain up-to-date HR policies in line with employment law and sector standards.
•    Ensure compliance with safeguarding, GDPR, Equality Commission returns, Access NI, UK Home office and other regulatory requirements.
•    Oversee all Employee Relations matters.
Systems, Payroll & Data Management
•    Lead the implementation and optimisation of the HR elements in related software and other digital tools.
•    Oversee the monthly payroll process in partnership with Finance.
•    Produce HR reports and workforce data to support decision-making for management meetings.
•    Oversee People related content in the organisations’ SharePoint, liaising with the Digital Marketing Officer
Employee Engagement & Wellbeing
•    Develop initiatives to enhance staff engagement, inclusion, and organisational culture.
•    Design and lead on staff surveys and follow-up actions.
•    Co- chair and manage actions from the Staff Forum
•    Monitor effectiveness of the corporate health cash plan
Policy Development & Implementation
•    Oversee development, review, and implementation of HR policies that reflect best practice and legal compliance.
•    Ensure accessibility and clarity of HR policies across the organisation.
•    Communicate policy changes effectively to managers and staff.
Staff Training & Development
•    Identify skills gaps and coordinate internal/external HR related training.
•    Support managers in building leadership capability

•    Adhere and comply with all Threshold’s Health and Safety Policies and Procedures.
•    Report and record any matters, for example defects and / or accidents in relation to any issues in respect of Health & Safety immediately, for the attention of the designated person. 
•    Contributing to the overall physical cleanliness and general condition of the facilities of the premises.
•    Act as a Deputy Fire Warden and / or First Aid Person if designated.

•    Actively Promote a working environment where equality of opportunity, anti-discriminatory practice, individual rights and choice are promoted in accordance with Threshold’s established Principles, Policies and Procedures.

•    Active promotion in the organisational mission, values, aim and objectives, ensuring all Policies and Procedures, to include the Code of Conduct and Practice are always adhered to.

The above summary of the main roles and responsibilities is not intended to be exhaustive. This role may develop in accordance with the Threshold’s Strategic Corporate Plan. However, you will from time to time be required to undertake other duties that are appropriate to your role and the nature of your post.

•    CIPD Level 7 or equivalent HR qualification

•    Proven experience in a senior HR role and at least 3 years in a complex organisation (over 150 staff)
•    Strong knowledge of NI employment law and HR best practices
•    Experience managing change 
•    Experience managing people
•    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
•    Strong experience with Microsoft office including Excel, and HR digital software platforms

Resilience and Adaptability
•    Demonstrates emotional resilience and perseverance under pressure.
•    Maintains effectiveness and a positive outlook through periods of change, ambiguity, and challenge.
•    Recovers quickly from setbacks and uses challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.
Accountability and Responsibility
•    Takes ownership of decisions, outcomes, and the impact of HR initiatives across the organisation.
•    Sets a strong example by following through on commitments and holding others accountable.
•    Navigates ethical challenges with integrity and sound judgment.
•     within the team and wider organisation.
Measured and Strategic Thinking
•    Applies a calm, analytical approach to decision-making even in complex or emotionally charged situations.
•    Prioritizes long-term organisational goals over short-term fixes.

Commercial Acumen
•    Uses data, insight, and sector awareness to inform decisions and drive value across the business. Balances people's priorities with business needs, contributing to both operational efficiency and long-term strategic success.

Possess a current and valid driving license or have access to a form of transport that will permit the candidate to meet the requirements of the post in full.

Threshold will undertake a shortlisting exercise based solely upon the written information contained within your application form, to satisfactorily demonstrate how and to what extent you meet the above specified criteria.  The shortlisting exercise will be based upon the identified criteria from the personnel specification.

The shortlisting panel will not make assumptions as to your circumstances, qualifications and experience. 

Threshold reserves the right to supplement these shortlisting criteria using additional essential and / or desirable criteria from the personnel specification at subsequent stages of the shortlisting process. 

Canvassing

Please note that any form of canvassing, either oral or written, directly or indirectly, in connection with this appointment shall disqualify a candidate from the recruitment and selection process. 

Supplementary Information

1. Please note that this is a regulated post and will be subject to a satisfactory Basic / Enhanced Access NI Check. 

Key Dates

• Closing date: 18 of August 2025
• Interviews Commence: Week commencing 26 August 2025

Important Notice

Please note that Threshold may commence interviews and close the application process early, so early submission is encouraged.