Deputy Head of People & Culture
Location: Dublin
Hybrid working - 3 days office based, 2 remote.
Permanent Full Time
Exciting opportunity for a senior HR professional to join an outstanding non for profit based in Dublin. Reporting to the Head of People & Culture, this newly created Deputy Head of People & Culture will be responsible for managing the wider HR team and leading on key operational and strategic initiatives. This senior management role will deliver strong operational leadership, enhance consistency across the employee lifecycle, and establish a trusted, responsive HR service that supports managers and improves the overall employee experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, develop and support the People & Culture team to continuously improve HR operational services across the full employee lifecycle and deliver improvements in HR workflows, digital systems and operational practices.
- Develop and implement internal quality management controls and practices for the People & Culture function.
- Ensure best practice policies and frameworks are in place and drive the development and implementation of recruitment strategies.
- Oversee end‑to‑end recruitment process in collaboration with Hiring Managers and the People & Culture Team.
- Own and continuously improve the organisation‑wide onboarding and induction approaches.
- Manage organisation recruitment in line with headcount and operational budgets
- Maintain rigorous quality control over internal policies, processes and procedures to enable accurate and timely processing of payroll and compliance with statutory pay and benefits obligations.
- Oversee the administration of all employee benefits including the occupational pension scheme and manage supplier relationships and contracts.
- Play a lead role with the implementation of compliance obligations for Pay Transparency Act ensuring requisite job architecture and remuneration structures are in place.
- Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive remuneration structures and a total rewards approach which aligns with organisation and sector standards.
- Conduct salary benchmarking exercises to inform fair and transparent pay structures.
- Manage compensation review processes and the application of statutory pay agreements.
- Support the People & Culture Team and Managers to effectively manage leave entitlements.
- Drive enhancements, automation, and reporting capability across HR systems.
- Produce regular workforce reports including headcount, turnover, leave metrics, statutory reporting and management information for the Leadership Team and Board.
- Ensure full compliance with GDPR legislation, and internal governance frameworks.
- Oversee the development and delivery of an employee engagement plan, aligned with the People & Culture strategy pillars.
- Lead on staff engagement initiatives including recognition schemes and employee surveys.
- Oversee the development and delivery of EDI initiatives.
- Oversee the development and delivery of a Wellbeing initiatives.
- Oversee the development of the Learning & Development function.
- Lead and support the People & Culture team in delivering a professional, responsive service.
- Manage workload allocation, performance and capability development within the team.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and learning within the People & Culture function.
- Undertake such other duties as might be reasonably assigned from time to time in consultation with the Head of People & Culture.
Qualifications & Experience
- Minimum of 8 years’ relevant experience, including substantial operational responsibility.
- Proven track record in managing, mentoring, and developing HR teams to achieve organisational objectives.
- Experience collaborating effectively with senior stakeholders across multiple functions.
- Comprehensive knowledge of Irish employment law, GDPR, and HR governance requirements.
- Relevant third-level qualification in HR, Business, or a related discipline.
- Chartered membership of CIPD or equivalent professional body.
- In-depth understanding of the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, development, retention, and offboarding.
- Advanced proficiency in HR systems, data analysis, and reporting to support evidence-based decision making.
- Demonstrated ability to streamline HR processes and lead operational improvements.
- Demonstrated ability to manage HR projects from conception to completion
- Experience in the non-profit sector (desirable)
