A minimum CIPD Level 5 qualification is required; CIPD Level 7 is highly preferred.
Proven experience guiding a people function or high-volume recruitment during a significant organisational growth phase is required.
Ability to flex between Learning and Development, talent acquisition, and strategic human resources partnering based on team needs is required.
A strong background in complex case management and employment law is required, including identifying root causes and implementing preventative training.
Responsibilities
Act as a trusted strategic advisor to the Board of Directors and senior management team, shaping the people strategy to provide the culture, capability, and workforce needed to achieve organisational goals.
Partner with the Board and operational leaders, using human resources information system data and analytics to provide actionable insights for workforce planning and organisational design.
Coach and upskill line managers to handle performance, team dynamics, and early-stage resolutions with care and empathy.
Lead and coach the established People Team, fostering a service-led culture and delivering human-centric support across the business.
Champion the thoughtful integration of human resources technology, artificial intelligence, and automation to streamline daily operations.
Guide complex employee relations with fairness and compliance, and drive initiatives around engagement, inclusion, wellbeing, and safety.
Desired Qualifications
CIPD Level 7 qualification is highly preferred.
At Innovative Trials, we believe our greatest asset is our people. We are currently going through an exciting period of growth and are looking for a passionate People & Culture Lead to help us scale while maintaining the warm, inclusive, and responsible culture we pride ourselves on. We operate with strong values at our core, ensuring that as we grow, we remain a psychologically safe environment where diverse perspectives are genuinely heard, respected, and valued. In this role, you will act as a trusted, strategic advisor to our Board of Directors and senior management team. Your mission is to shape a best-in-class people strategy, ensuring we have the right culture, capability, and workforce to achieve our ambitious goals and become a true destination for top talent.
Who We Are Looking For
A certified HR professional (minimum CIPD Level 5 Qualified, though CIPD Level 7 is highly preferred).
A leader with proven experience guiding a people function or high-volume recruitment during a significant organisational growth phase.
A highly adaptable team player who can comfortably flex their focus between Learning & Development, talent acquisition, and strategic HR partnering based on the team's needs.
Someone with a strong background in complex case management and Employment Law, using this expertise not just to resolve issues, but to identify root causes and implement preventative training.
What You Will Achieve
Strategic Board Advisory: Partner directly with the Board and operational leaders, utilising HRIS data and analytics to provide actionable insights for workforce planning and organisational design.
Empowering Leadership: Act as a proactive capability builder, coaching and upskilling our line managers so they have the confidence to handle performance, team dynamics, and early-stage resolutions with care and empathy.
Cultivating Our Team: Inspire and lead our established People Team through high-impact coaching, fostering a service-led culture that delivers exceptional, human-centric support across the business.
Modernising HR: Champion the thoughtful integration of HR technology, AI, and automation to streamline our daily operations, freeing up time to focus on our people.
Nurturing Culture & Wellbeing: Guide complex employee relations with fairness and compliance, while actively driving initiatives around engagement, inclusion, wellbeing, and safety.
How We Support You
We know that to take care of our business, we must first take care of you. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your life inside and outside of work:
Your Time & Flexibility: Flexible working arrangements, 24 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, and regular company events to celebrate our collective success.
Financial & Future Security: A competitive salary, discretionary bonus, People’s Pension, a recruitment referral programme, and long service rewards.
Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive healthcare, life assurance, flu jabs, and a dedicated Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support your overall wellbeing.
Lifestyle & Commute: An EV Car Scheme, a Cycle to Work scheme, and free on-site parking.
Innovative Trials announces UK and US partnerships to empower children with cancer and accelerate research. Innovative Trials, a global clinical trials patient recruitment company with offices in both the UK and US, has today announced its ambition to accelerate research into childhood cancers, contribute to the development of better care and support and play a part in empowering children with cancer across the world