Head of HR - Scotland

Head of HR Jobs

With a company’s fortunes being tied up so closely with its employees, the human resources department needs to be running like clockwork. That is the job of the head of HR. Depending on the size of the organization, this role may include overseeing a number HR managers and their teams, in one or several locations. A head of HR might answer to a director of HR or a recruitment director, and as such may or may not be privy to strategic and financial information the board is deciding – the head of HR is usually more involved with the day-to-day running of the department.

It is worth noting that experience at head of HR level stands the employee in good stead to tackle a directorial role, as the hands-on experience gained will give invaluable insight into the position’s demands,, as well as an appreciation of what the role entails. The head of HR will have close contact with the HR team and other employees within the company as he or she puts the board’s strategic HR plan into action.

The skills required

Most heads of human resources come from HR backgrounds, and those who can demonstrate an ability to see projects through on their own initiative will be considered highly. Of course, if you are already a head of HR and your team is successfully putting your board’s plans into action, that will signify a talent that is prized in the jobs market.

A head of HR may be asked to perform challenging tasks such as setting up completely new strategies, such as an employee reward scheme or a training programme with bespoke modules for certain employees. In such situations you may be expected to develop them yourself, and as such need to keep the board informed of progress and effectiveness.

Head of HR Jobs in Scotland

From Glasgow to Edinburgh, Gretna Green to Inverness, Scotland is a beautiful country that offers plenty of opportunity for those seeking Head of HR vacancies.

Scotland has had a long and tumultuous history, particularly during the 16th and 17th centuries when relations with England were fraught with difficulty.

In 1707, the Acts of Union were passed and the Kingdom of Great Britain was created. This resulted in the abolishment of trade tariffs and the Scottish economy quickly grew. Clippers carried tobacco to Glasgow from the New World during the 18th century. Then, during the Industrial Revolution, everything from ships and locomotives through to coal, textiles and steel were produced on a massive scale.

Fast forward to today and Scotland's economy is more focused on the service sector - although manufacturing and oil production are still important.

Edinburgh is one of Europe's largest financial centres, home to companies like Lloyds, Standard Life, the Bank of Scotland and the Royal Bank of Scotland. It's also the seat of Scottish government and an important tourist destination, hosting one of the largest culture festivals in the world.

Whisky is one of Scotland's best-known exports, with numerous distilleries and bottlers located around the country, including Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie and Teacher's Highland Cream, as well as liqueurs like Drambuie and Glayva.

Other companies with headquarters or regional facilities in Scotland include IBM and Hewlett-Packard, Sun Microsystems, Amazon, BAE and Rolls-Royce.

Popular locations

Find Head of HR Jobs with Cast UK

Many employers come directly to Cast UK instead of advertising their positions; they know we will go to great lengths to ensure we find the right people. That’s why it’s a good idea to get in touch with us even if you can’t see a head of HR job advertised. Bear in mind that in HR, the same job often has several different titles in different companies! We know exactly what to look out for.

Likewise if you are an employer and you are at the point where you are looking for HR managers and executives, please get in touch, as we are experts at making connections with top talent.

Call us today on 0333 121 3345 if you’re looking for a head of HR role.

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