Director of People

York Minster; York; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000

Job description

• Fantastic opportunity to join an iconic landmark.
• Based in York

About Our Client

York Minster is seeking an exceptional Director of People to lead the development of their People Strategy, ensuring that their staff and volunteers thrive in an inclusive, high-performing environment. This is a rare opportunity to play a pivotal role in one of the UK's most iconic religious and cultural institutions, where faith, heritage, and community come together.

At York Minster, their mission is to serve the local community by being a place of welcome, worship, and wonder. Their people - 220 members of staff and around 400 volunteers - are at the heart of delivering this mission. As Director of People, you will shape their organisational culture by developing a new people strategy, aligning to the wider 2030 vision and strategy ensuring the attraction, development, and retention of outstanding individuals while fostering a workplace that is aligned with values of Integrity, Purpose, Humility, and Compassion.

Job Description

As a key member of the Senior Executive Team, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), you will provide strategic leadership in HR, safeguarding, and volunteer management. You will be responsible for ensuring that the people strategies align with the values.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement York Minster's people strategy, ensuring HR policies and practices align with the mission and values.
• Provide expert HR and volunteering advice to the Senior Executive Team and Chapter Trustees, ensuring a high-performing and inclusive culture.
• Shape the employee and volunteer experience, embedding best practices in wellbeing and engagement.
• Work closely with senior clergy, trustees, and directors to ensure HR and volunteer policies support the operational and pastoral needs of York Minster.

Culture, Wellbeing & Inclusion

• Champion Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), ensuring a welcoming and supportive environment for all staff and volunteers.
• Lead initiatives to enhance employee and volunteer wellbeing, ensuring everyone feels valued and supported.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and feedback, ensuring staff and volunteers feel empowered to develop and grow.

People Operations & Compliance

• Develop and oversee legally compliant HR and volunteering policies, ensuring alignment with best practice and Church of England guidelines.
• Lead on recruitment, ensuring it underpins all activities at York Minster.
• Manage complex employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, sickness, and capability processes.
• Oversee the People and Volunteer Management systems, ensuring optimal functionality and reporting.

Talent Development & Workforce Planning

• Lead on talent acquisition, career development, succession planning, and leadership training, ensuring York Minster attracts and retains top talent.
• Support senior leaders and hiring managers in recruiting for excellence, ensuring alignment with Church of England safer recruitment guidelines.
• Identify training needs across the organisation, ensuring staff and volunteers have access to development opportunities.
• Support performance management, coaching leaders and managers to give meaningful feedback and foster a high-performance culture.

Team Leadership & Budget Management

• Lead and inspire the People Team, managing HR professionals and volunteering advisors to deliver outstanding HR and volunteer services.
• Oversee the departmental budget, ensuring effective resource allocation and value for money in HR and volunteer management services.

The Successful Applicant

York Minster is looking for a proactive and inspirational HR leader with a passion for people and organisational culture. You will bring:

• Proven experience in a senior HR leadership role, within a complex multi-faceted organisation.
• Experience of developing and implementing people strategies.
• Ideally experience of working within a charitable organisation or with a varied workforce including volunteers, having been a volunteer yourself (e.g. school governor, etc.).
• Experience in culture change, well-being, and employee engagement initiatives.
• A collaborative and values-driven approach, with the ability to influence and engage at all levels.
• An understanding and respect for the Christian ethos and mission of York Minster (please note no religious affiliation or personal religious faith is required).

What's on Offer

Why Join York Minster?

• Work in one of the UK's most historic and revered institutions, where your work makes a real impact.
• Be part of a values-led organisation that prioritises people, culture, and inclusivity.
• Shape and influence HR strategy at a senior level, working closely with executive leaders and clergy.
• Support a diverse workforce of staff and volunteers, making a difference in the local and faith community.
• Package includes; £65,000pa + pension.
• Flexible hours and agile ways of working. This is a site-based role in York Minster itself, with a potential of one day a week working from home.

How to Apply

Closing Date: Thursday 27th March 2025

• For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Amy Smith

York Minster is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment, and an enhanced DBS check will be required for the successful candidate.

Contact

Amy Smith (nee Procter)

Quote job ref JN-022025-6678829Z