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Helen & Douglas House

Helen & Douglas House is a registered hospice charity based in Oxford, providing palliative, respite, end-of-life and bereavement care to life-limited children and their families.

We foster a climate where team members feel able to openly question, debate and appropriately challenge their own and the practice of others; as such, we welcome new ideas and strive to constantly improve our delivery of care to our patients.

## Interim Director of People & Culture

**Contract Details:**
- **Contract:** 6 months fixed term
- **Hours:** 37.5 hours per week
- **Location:** Oxford is the primary location, with some opportunity for hybrid working
- **Salary:** £80,000 per annum
- **Closing date:** 12th June 2026 12 noon

**Role Overview:**

Help shape the future of the world's first children's hospice and make a lasting difference to local families.

We are seeking an experienced Interim Director of People & Culture to join our Executive Team during a significant period of organisational change.

This is a unique opportunity to shape our people strategy, culture and organisational design while ensuring we continue to deliver compassionate, high-quality services to those who need us most.

**Responsibilities:**

Reporting to the CEO and as part of the Executive Team, you'll lead the People function through a period of organisational change.

- Lead and deliver key organisational change, including operating model and workforce reviews.
- Develop and embed a clear, valued-led culture and people strategy.
- Act as a trusted adviser to the CEO, Executive Team and Board, providing expert insight on people, culture and organisational design.
- Ensure effective, compliant people practices while strengthening capability across staff and volunteers.

**Required Qualifications & Experience:**

You are a credible, experienced people leader who delivers impact at pace.

- Director level experience in HR/People/Organisational Development with complex environments.
- Proven track record of leading transformation and shaping organisational culture.
- Strong employment law expertise with the ability to influence at Executive and Board Level.
- CIPD Level 7, CIPD Chartered Membership or equivalent (CIPD Chartered Fellow desirable).
- A pragmatic, collaborative and values led approach.

**Benefits:**

- Enhanced Sick Pay Entitlement
- Competitive Pension Contributions
- Personal and Professional Development
- Access to Counselling and wellbeing support
- Enhanced Parental and Family Friendly Policies
- Flexible Working Hours

Head of People Helen & Douglas House

Simon Bolton

Head of People

Operations & Compliance Manager at Helen & Douglas House

Jack Mears

Compliance & Operations Manager

Estates & Operations Leader | Governance, infrastructure & portfolio design at scale | ESG & Sustainability

Astrid Hayles

Head of Facilities and Operations

Interim Director of People & Culture

Chief Human Resources Officer

Director of People Operations

Transformation Lead

Helen & Douglas House is a registered charity caring for terminally ill babies, children, and young people. We provide medical, emotional and practical support, helping families deal with the implications of living with a child who will die prematurely, so they can make the most of their time together.

As a charity, we rely almost entirely on donations to support our families. We cannot do this without your help.

Helen & Douglas House children's hospice - providing hospice and palliative care to babies, children, and young people in Oxfordshire and surrounding counties.

**Interim Director of People & Culture**

- **Contract:** 6 months fixed term
- **Hours:** 37.5 hours per week
- **Location:** Oxford is the primary location, with some opportunity for hybrid working
- **Salary:** £80,000 per annum
- **Closing date:** 12th June 2026 12 noon

**Help shape the future of the world’s first children’s hospice and make a lasting different to local families.**

We are seeking an experienced **Interim Director of People & Culture** to join our Executive Team during a significant period of organisational change.

This is a unique opportunity to shape our people strategy, culture and organisational design while ensuring we continue to deliver compassionate, high-quality services to those who need us most.

**The role:**

Reporting to the CEO and as part of the Executive Team, you’ll lead the People function through a period of organisational change.

- Lead and deliver key organisational change, including operating model and workforce reviews.
- Develop and embed a clear, valued-led culture and people strategy.
- Act as a trusted adviser to the CEO, Executive Team and Board, providing expert insight on people, culture and organisational design.
- Ensure effective, compliant people practices while strengthening capability across staff and volunteers.

**Who we’re looking for:**

You are a credible, experienced people leader who delivers impact at pace.

- Director level experience in HR/People/Organisational Development with complex environments.
- Proven track record of leading transformation and shaping organisational culture.
- Strong employment law expertise with the ability to influence at Executive and Board Level.
- CIPD Level 7, CIPD Chartered Membership or equivalent (CIPD Chartered Fellow desirable).
- A pragmatic, collaborative and values led approach.

**Apply today and play a key role in shaping a strong and sustainable future for Helen & Douglas House and the families we support.**

Please note that everyone working for Helen & Douglas House are required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Helen & Douglas House is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We are an equal opportunities employer and value the benefits of a diverse workforce. We positively encourage applications from all areas of the community.

Please contact recruitment@helenanddouglas.org.uk if you require any adjustments during the recruitment process.

Helen & Douglas House is a registered hospice charity based in Oxford, providing palliative, respite, end-of-life and bereavement care to life-limited children and their families.

We foster a climate where team members feel able to openly question, debate and appropriately challenge their own and the practice of others; as such, we welcome new ideas and strive to constantly improve our delivery of care to our patients.

**Helen & Douglas House**  
14A Magdalen Road  
Oxford  
OX4 1RW  
  
Telephone: **01865 794749**  
Email: **recruitment@helenanddouglas.org.uk**

Oxford

Seeking an experienced Interim Director of People & Culture to join the Executive Team at Helen & Douglas House during a period of organisational change. Responsible for leading the People function, shaping people strategy, and ensuring effective people practices.

Helen & Douglas House

Jobs

Interim Director of People & Culture

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