Head of HR and Volunteering

Head of HR & Volunteering

Full time, permanent position based on site at Eden

The Eden Project is an education charity, whose mission is to inspire wonder, hope and positive action for the planet by reconnecting people with the natural world. We are looking for an experienced HR professional to join us at an exciting time. As we celebrate our 25 th birthday this role will be key in supporting and developing our team for our next stage of growth. You will also play a key role in the people strategy for our new site in Morecambe, opening in 2028. We currently have a core team of around 350 employees, growing to up to 500 during our peak season. We are also supported by around 80 volunteers at the heart of everything we do.

The role will cover all aspects of the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, employee relations, reward and benefits and employee wellbeing. You will also implement the volunteering strategy and support the growth of our volunteering programme. As well as being a trusted advisor to our leadership team you will also be required to be hands on, supported by a small team. It is essential that you are organised as this is a varied role requiring you to be adaptable to respond to changing demands.

If you're an experienced HR professional who is looking to make a difference at one of Cornwall's most well-known charities, we would love to hear from you!

Some of the benefits of working at the Eden Project include;

• Free entry to Eden and Heligan for family and friends
• 30 days holiday plus an extra day for your birthday (up to 35 days after 5 years service)
• Access to Simply Health and UNUM for wellbeing support
• Financial wellbeing support - access to 121 sessions with an independent financial advisor
• Cycle to work scheme
• Training and development
• Option to 'purchase leave', up to an extra 2 weeks a year
• Death in service policy (4 x annual salary)

First stage interviews will be held in person on site at the Eden Project on Friday 24 th April.

The closing date for this position is Friday 17 th April

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Head of HR and Volunteering

Job Family: Business Support Services Job Ref:

Job Family Definition

Roles within the Business Support job family are dedicated to optimising professional, technical and administrative services, which support the work of other job families in making Eden successful .

Role Purpose

To lead and manage the Eden People Team to deliver a professional Human Resources and volunteering function in line with Eden's mission and requirements for operational and project activities. To take responsibility for the People agenda within Eden and associated support requirements to enable effective deliver within the project. Provide guidance, support and up to date mechanisms that allow managers to understand their people management responsibilities effectively.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop, manage and lead the HR and Volunteer teams to be efficient and effective using the resources available to them, setting clear objectives and monitor their achievement without affecting the service provided.
• As a member of the Senior Leadership Group (SLG), and reporting to the General Manager, be an influential voice in the development and delivery of the Eden Project, modelling the behaviour required of Eden Leaders to develop and take their teams forward successfully. Provide advice and support to the Senior Management team on HR and Volunteering policy, direction, strategy in line with the overarching organisational strategic framework. Ensure that policies are regularly reviewed and updated or new policies introduced as required.
• Manage the day-to-day HR processes from start to termination, ensuring that appropriate training is in place to support the Eden Management Team to deliver these processes effectively within their areas. Ensuring liaison for recruitment with appropriate department lead, advising on best practice and advert placements, together with recruitment tools to be used.
• Responsible for managing employee relation issues and support managers through this process, liaising with outside counsel as necessary. Ensuring that all grievance and disciplinary procedures are completed in line with Eden's policy and UK/European legislation. Guidance on managing issues within procedure or externally where a compromise may be considered appropriate. Ensuring that the culture employee issues are handled within is appropriate and in line with Eden's mission.
• Ensure that employee wellbeing is high on the agenda and regularly reviewing benefits and support that Eden offers to its team to ensure that the team remain engaged and fit through their time working with Eden. This will involve referrals to Occupational Health and managing situations in line with advices received. Ensure that management of any sickness and capacity issues are managed in line with Eden's ethos and Sickness Absence and Capability Management Policy.
• Provide coaching and mentoring support for the HR/Volunteer team and build a mentoring/coaching culture within the wider Eden team ensuring that developmental practices are in place through learning programmes (apprenticeships/ILM, etc.)

Demands of the Role

Qualified to bachelor degree level or equivalent in an appropriate field (human resource management, business management), and a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development.

Additional qualifications in coaching/mentoring/training/mediation would be desirable.

Proven successful leadership and management of multi-disciplinary HR teams, which will have been gained over 5+ years' operating at a senior level. Experience of preparing and controlling large budgets, identifying and developing company procedures, developing training opportunities to enhance team performance and morale along with excellent planning, organisation and communication skills are essential.

Decision-making

The majority of decisions are short and medium term, where judgements of decision will not become apparent for some time, but will have a considerable impact on the business. Reports to the Director of Finance and Central Operations and is part of the Senior Leadership Group, part of the strategic decision-making process.

Adaptive thinking is key to many aspects of this role, ensuring both legislation and Eden practices are appropriately implemented. Regularly required to review and test new ideas for implementation that will support the organisations progressing into the future. Will lead on developing people policies and processes that enable the team to improve and efficiently deliver are services. Reactive problem solving can be a feature with the nature of dealing with 'people' in this role, or the need for creative solutions to issues presented.

People & asset management

Leads and manages a direct team of up to 5 who deliver all the people related services. Responsibility for the Eden volunteer team of up to 150 volunteers at any one time.

Budget sign off of £7,500.

Shared responsibility for the care of Eden's assets and the welfare of its people.

Communication & visitor experience

Frequently manages highly complex and sensitive information, this often means managing highly complex situations through negotiation and influencing. Highly developed inter- personal skills are essential to ensure effective delivery across diverse teams and at all levels, ranging from Board level to leading and inspiring the operational team. Developing relationships with external partners and agencies.

External presenter on Eden and HR for colleges/schools. Builds awareness through local and national networking forums.

Operational environment

Predominantly office based with time on site on a regular basis.