Head of People and Culture
| Posting date: | 20 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £44,341 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 09 February 2026 |
| Location: | CO5 7RZ |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Essex Wildlife Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
We are looking for an innovative, values-based Head of People and Culture to lead the people functions of our Trust.
As a key member of the Operational Leadership Team (OLT), you will work closely with other Heads of function and the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) to deliver our strategic objectives and ensure the effective delivery of all operational workstreams across all services.
You will work closely with the Director of People and Engagement, and the wider Strategic Leadership Team, to align people strategies with our operational plans and long-term vision for Essex Wildlife Trust.
You will be responsible for building a high-performing culture where everyone – staff and volunteers – feels valued, inspired and empowered to achieve the impact necessary to deliver for nature and wildlife in Essex. In doing so, you will lead impactful areas including (but not limited to): attracting and retaining the best talent in the sector; driving initiatives that support our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy, fostering a modern, inclusive and flexible workplace; and leading the HR function with agility, ensuring compliance, insights driven decision-making, and ethical and supported people operations.
We are looking for a talented, qualified (CIPD Level 5 or equivalent) people professional, who can deliver on long term plans, lead on strategic people-related projects, empower teams to be innovative and solutions-focussed, and who can dive into the day-to-day work when required.
You will be a champion of the combined workforce (of paid and voluntary colleagues), with high emotional intelligence and the ability to navigate complex human dynamics. Your professional experience and agility enable you to thrive in dynamic environments, and you lead through change with calmness, clarity and compassion.
This role is a permanent position working 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm). Part time hours will be considered.
The salary for this post is £44,341 per annum and is based at our Head Office location at the beautiful Abbotts Hall in Great Wigborough. Essex Wildlife Trust offers flexible homeworking arrangements and further details of the hybrid-working arrangements will be shared at interview.
To make an application, please complete an online application form on our website by 9am on Monday 09 February 2026. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 17 February 2026 in person at Abbotts Hall. The Trust enjoys a high volume of applications in recruitment across all roles; we therefore reserve the right to close the application process earlier than the published date.
Please find the Job Description attached, alongside further detail in the attached Role Information Pack.
Our values are Impactful, Collaborative, United and Proactive.
As a key member of the Operational Leadership Team (OLT), you will work closely with other Heads of function and the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) to deliver our strategic objectives and ensure the effective delivery of all operational workstreams across all services.
You will work closely with the Director of People and Engagement, and the wider Strategic Leadership Team, to align people strategies with our operational plans and long-term vision for Essex Wildlife Trust.
You will be responsible for building a high-performing culture where everyone – staff and volunteers – feels valued, inspired and empowered to achieve the impact necessary to deliver for nature and wildlife in Essex. In doing so, you will lead impactful areas including (but not limited to): attracting and retaining the best talent in the sector; driving initiatives that support our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy, fostering a modern, inclusive and flexible workplace; and leading the HR function with agility, ensuring compliance, insights driven decision-making, and ethical and supported people operations.
We are looking for a talented, qualified (CIPD Level 5 or equivalent) people professional, who can deliver on long term plans, lead on strategic people-related projects, empower teams to be innovative and solutions-focussed, and who can dive into the day-to-day work when required.
You will be a champion of the combined workforce (of paid and voluntary colleagues), with high emotional intelligence and the ability to navigate complex human dynamics. Your professional experience and agility enable you to thrive in dynamic environments, and you lead through change with calmness, clarity and compassion.
This role is a permanent position working 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm). Part time hours will be considered.
The salary for this post is £44,341 per annum and is based at our Head Office location at the beautiful Abbotts Hall in Great Wigborough. Essex Wildlife Trust offers flexible homeworking arrangements and further details of the hybrid-working arrangements will be shared at interview.
To make an application, please complete an online application form on our website by 9am on Monday 09 February 2026. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 17 February 2026 in person at Abbotts Hall. The Trust enjoys a high volume of applications in recruitment across all roles; we therefore reserve the right to close the application process earlier than the published date.
Please find the Job Description attached, alongside further detail in the attached Role Information Pack.
Our values are Impactful, Collaborative, United and Proactive.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.