View Vacancy – Regional Head of Human Resources, Americas

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has a Regional Finance, Human Resources, and Procurement hub based in Washington DC, overseeing 51 High Commissions, British Embassies and Consulates in North, South and Central America, and the Caribbean.

The Regional HR hub is an integral part of the global HR team serving staff working in the overseas network for the UK Government. The role of the HR Hub is to provide key HR services (recruitment, pay and reward, talent and performance management, HR enquiries, employee relations and learning & development through regional teams) to customers in the region and to provide a strategic and professional HR capability to support Regional Senior Leaders in delivery of business objectives. The Regional Head of HR is the strategic lead on all HR aspects for locally employed staff working at British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates located in the region. This position will lead on all regional specific HR issues in collaboration with the London based HR Directorate.

The Regional Head of HR will be a key member of the Hub leadership team. He/she will report to the International Policies and Network Unit (based in London) and will deliver through their HR hub team, working closely with London based HR Policy leads, HR Business Partner and Regional Learning and Development Team. This role will be responsible for leading and managing high-level engagement with senior stakeholders and partners in the region.

Leadership and Management (35%)

• Provide overall strategic direction and leadership to the HR hub team, in line with London priorities and the agreed role of the hub. Work closely with regional leaders to ensure appropriate HR support for business priorities. Promote Organisational values of respect, expertise, resilience, creativity, courage and public service.
• Lead the HR Hub Governance to ensure HR Hub resilience; leverage team expertise, skills and abilities for best HR services delivery across the region as well as create great learning and development opportunities in a healthy working environment to support wellbeing.
• Build the capability of your HR Hub team and line manage HR Hub staff providing guidance, feedback on performance and development, and effectively delegate work to stretch learning and build resilience.
• Lead the HR Hub operation to ensure high standards of service delivery are met regarding recruitment, pay and reward, talent and performance management, and management information as well as a first line service to handle HR enquiries from employees and managers within the region. You will ensure ongoing smooth operations and continuous improvement in each of the process streams.
• Pastoral oversight and staff wellbeing of the co-located Corporate Service Hub.
• Devise and implement an effective regional HR strategy, based on central HR policy, with clear prioritisation to reflect regional needs and global change programmes.
• Keep professional knowledge up-to date, following trends, ideas and innovations occurring within the HR sphere, to ensure service standards are met and a culture of improvement grows within the Hub.

Stakeholder Management (30%)

• Act as key influencer to the main regional stakeholders, including; FCDO Geographic Directorates, HR Leaders in London, Regional HR Business Partners, Consular and Prosperity Directorates, Finance and Procurement Leads and Regional Learning and Development teams.
• Manage stakeholders from other UK Government departments working on the FCDO platform, to ensure the HR offer also reflects their needs and requirements.
• Work closely with other Heads of HR Hubs to ensure consistency and sharing of best practice.
• Network with and influence stakeholders across the region.
• Manage and liaise with stakeholders at host Post, building a strong and supportive alliance reflected in Country Business Plan

Strategic HR Support (35%)

• Make strategic recommendations based on main Key Performance Indicators measured by the Hub and ensure delivery of Hub SLAs.
• Monitor customer satisfaction and feedback and recommend necessary adjustments in processes, workflows, staffing levels, etc.
• Advise and support on handling of complex and sensitive issues regarding local staff management or senior stakeholders requests.
• Review and make recommendations on local staff terms and conditions ensuring regional consistency where possible.   
• Liaison between HR in London and locations in the Region on their portfolio of activity, ensuring all new policies are communicated and implemented.
• Build and implement communication and engagement plan for targeted stakeholders, using it as a means to deliver key changes and messages.
• Provide local and regional data analysis to allow informed decision making.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• Direct staff management for 1x Deputy Head of Hub and 13 other Staff.
• Counter-signing officer for 5-6 HR functional managers.
• Countersign the Regional Inclusion Advisor who delivers programmes and interventions to raise performance, improve engagement, resolve conflict to make working environments and relationships as inclusive as possible across UK Missions in the region.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources Management or Social Sciences (or equivalent evidence of vocational learning).
• Extensive experience in general HR management and experience of operating in an international HR environment.
• Over 5 years team management experience, preferably in a shared services environment.
• Experience of leading a multifunctional HR team and a track record of delivery in a shared services environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, self-motivated and results driven.
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment with remote supervision (role is distance managed).
• Keenly aware of customer requirements.
• Fluent English, with excellent written and verbal skills.

Work Authorisation/Visa information 

Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office.  Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa.  All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. 

*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas. 

• All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.
• Only successful candidates will be contacted.
• Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.