Head of People

Head of People

Salary: £76,778 - £82,133 per annum, pro rata

Holiday: 35 days per annum (including public holidays) pro rata

Hours: 25-30 hours / week (part-time, flexible across the week)

Sponsorship: Not applicable for this vacancy

Closing date: Sunday 3 May 2026

Interview date: Friday 22 May 2026

The Role

Driving people strategy, culture and organisational excellence.

Highland Hospice is looking for a values-driven, strategic Head of People to join our Senior Management Team and help shape the future of our organisation as we continue to expand our reach and impact across the Highlands.

We are an independent charity with a bold ambition: ensuring that everyone in the Highlands facing death, dying or bereavement has access to the best palliative and end of life care—the right care, in the right place, at the right time. With over 200 employees, 900 volunteers, and services spanning our in patient unit, community services, fundraising, and retail teams, people are at the heart of everything we do.

Your Impact

You will be the strategic partner to the CEO and Senior Management Team, leading on:

• People & Culture
  Drive a values-led, inclusive culture.
• Organisational Development and Talent Management
  Ensure that people strategies support improvement of the overall effectiveness, resilience, and success of the Hospice as it develops and expands its reach.
• People Operations & Compliance
  Ensure effective practice HR operations, employee relations and policy development.
• Health, Safety, Sustainability & Governance
  Ensure a safe, sustainable, healthy and compliant workplace.
• Internal Communications
  Develop communications that inform, connect and strengthen organisational understanding

You’ll lead and develop a passionate People team, enabling excellence across all aspects of the employee and volunteer experience.

What we need from you

You bring senior HR leadership experience, emotional intelligence, and a track record of delivering meaningful organisational change. You’re a connector, understand the impact of a strong organisational culture, and are someone who thrives on supporting others to feel valued and contribute fully. You’ll be motivated by our mission and bring a strategic yet hands on approach to making Highland Hospice an exceptional place to work and volunteer.

You understand that people shape organisational culture, and you advocate a values-led approach inspiring and influencing leaders and individuals through both your words and actions.

To help realise the Hospice’s ambitions, you’ll draw on your breadth of experience, insight and trusted relationships to support and influence growth and key decisions across all areas of our organisation – from hospice services and income generation to how we invest and spend funds.

WHAT WE OFFER

At Highland Hospice we believe our people are our biggest assets and understand the value in putting them first. Our approach to diversity in the workplace, health & wellbeing, innovation, and individuality is one of the reasons we are a first-choice health employer in the Highlands! We are passionate about our services and always on the lookout for new talent to join us on our journey.

You will have access to a benefits package we believe truly works for our people and enhances our overall culture...

• Access to The Blue light discount scheme giving access to fifteen thousand discounts across well-known retailers and local businesses across a large span of categories
• Free access to our employee assistance program that provides you with counselling services, financial advice, mental health support and more to help overcome any personal or workplace challenges.
• Generous holiday entitlement with a buy more or sell some option
• Flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced sick pay
• Pension with additional matching employer contributions and Death in Service Benefit
• Continuation of SPPA pension contributions and reckonable service for employees coming to the Hospice within 12 months of leaving the NHS
• Discounted meals in our cafe prepared freshly every morning
• Free access to Inverness Tennis Court Gym Facilities

Plus access to many more schemes and enhanced benefits.

This role requires a PVG Disclosure Scotland check.

Informal enquiries can be made to Kenny Steele, Chief Executive Officer, on 01463 243132 or k.steele@highlandhospice.org.uk

Full job description and Highland Hospice application forms are available at:

https://highlandhospice.org/who-we-are/current-vacancies

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Highland Hospice is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture. We accept and celebrate our team for who they are and welcome people of all races, disabilities, sex, gender identities and reassignment, sexual orientation, ages, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. We keep our recruitment process simple and consider applicants on their abilities alone to ensure a fair interview process. If at any point throughout our process you require reasonable adjustments, please contact Recruitment@highlandhospice.org.uk