HR Director / Chief People Officer
Berkshire | Software Development | Executive Leadership
Our client, an established and award-winning software business, is seeking a high-calibre HR Director / Chief People Officer to join its Executive Leadership Team.
This is a generalist leadership mandate with full accountability across People, combining operational control, strategic direction, and transformation delivery.
The role sits at the centre of growth. It requires an individual who can build, reshape and scale the People function in line with commercial priorities.
The Role
This is not a support function.
It is a business-critical leadership position.
You will operate as a trusted advisor to the Board, translating strategy into organisational capability, structure, and performance.
Core Focus
Lead a full generalist HR function, covering Talent, Engagement, Development, Retention and Operations
Align People strategy with growth, revenue objectives and organisational scale
Drive transformation across structure, culture, and operating model
Establish robust governance, compliance and risk frameworks
Lead organisational change, including restructuring, acquisitions and TUPE
Build a performance-led environment with clear accountability and measurable outputs
Develop leadership capability and succession planning across the business
What Success Looks Like


A scalable People function aligned to business growth
Clear, structured workforce planning and talent pipelines
Measurable improvements in retention, engagement and performance
Data-led decision making across People and Operations
A function that operates as a commercial enabler, not a support service
Experience Required
Proven experience at HR Director / CPO level
Strong generalist HR grounding with operational depth
Track record of delivering change, transformation and organisational growth
Experience within Software, SaaS, Cloud or Technology environments
Executive-level exposure with Board and leadership team partnership
Commercially aware, comfortable operating in growth and scale environments
CIPD Level 7 (preferred)
Degree educated (2:1 or above)
Profile
This role will suit a commercially minded People leader who can operate across:
Strategy Transformation Operations Delivery
Someone who is:
Structured in thinking
Clear in execution
Comfortable leading change
And credible at Board level