Director of People & Culture

This is a pivotal role in shaping, leading, and executing the People and Culture Strategy

For over 75 years MAF has been working in partnership with hundreds of Christian and relief organisations, enabling practical help, physical healing and spiritual hope to be delivered to some of the world’s most remote and inaccessible communities.  Leading the people team you will oversee the development and implementation of our PEOPLE strategy designed to attract, develop, and retain a high performing and creative workforce who are passionately engaged with our vision to see isolated people changed by the love of Christ. Part of that plan will be the development of strategies to address our recruitment needs both in the UK and overseas. The Director will also provide strategic level HR leadership to our 60+ UK based staff and 30 staff and their families overseas.

Reporting to the CEO, you will serve on the six-strong senior leadership team contributing to the wider organisational strategy and play a central role shaping the Christian culture of the organisation.

There is an occupational requirement for the job holder of this position to be a committed Christian.  Additional information is available on request.

Responsibilities

 The Director of People and Culture has nine key performance areas

1. Enhancing learning within the charity to ensure that we have the skills, experience and mindset needed to move forward.  (Learning & Development)

• Overseeing the design and delivery of a strategy to develop inspirational and effective people, managers and leaders. 
• Ensuring effective and engaging staff induction and onboarding 
• Developing a Management Development Programme to establish and embed an agile, innovative, and empowered culture 
• Oversee our annual Performance Development Cycle and staff engagement survey. 

2. Shaping our practice to align with our Values, Mission, and Cultural Norms (Culture)

• Developing organisational practice to enhance our Christian identity and build missional awareness. 
• Overseeing initiatives to embed and enhance our cultural norms 

3. Creation and maintenance of a positive culture promoting staff wellbeing  and community.  (Wellbeing)

• Overseeing the design and implementation of the Wellbeing Strategy 
• Supporting the PEOPLE Managers in employment relations issues and in the delivery of pastoral care 
• Visiting overseas staff in programme to support, encourage and gain organisational insight 

 4. Design and  delivery of strategies to increase the number of new recruits to serve overseas and attract and hire talent to serve in our offices in the UK. (Talent Acquisition)   

• Overseeing the design and implementation of an International Recruitment Strategy 
• Overseeing the creation and implementation of recruitment procedures to ensure effective and efficient processes and excellent user experience 
• Attending recruitment events as required and participating in interviews for senior UK and international roles 
• Leading in the development of the Engineering Training Scheme, the Future Pilot Programme and other training initiatives 
• Working with team members to establish further links with industry

5.  Shared responsibility for Improving Partnership internally within MAF UK and externally with MAF International (MAFI), other Resourcing Groups and mission and Church groups within the UK. (Partnership)

•  Taking opportunities to network, and engage mission and church groups in the UK 
• Building relationships with MAFI, contributing to the development of international MAF policy and practice, active participation in the HR International Group, Recruitment Groups, and the HR Forum 
• Supporting and proactively sharing resources, experience, and expertise with other Resourcing Groups 

 6. Taking the  lead on all HR related issues and acting as a trusted partner and guide to members of the Executive Team. (Leadership)

• Managing, coaching, and leading the People team to ensure they are engaged, delivering agreed strategies, and providing excellent HR services and support to managers and staff
• Contributing to the overall development and management of MAF UK as a member of the Senior Leadership Team 
• Representing the People Team presenting, influencing, and reporting at Board level. 

  7. Managing our compensation and benefits schemes to ensure that MAF UK compensation remains fair and competitive. (Compensation & Benefits)

• Conducting salary benchmarking according to agreed schedules 
• Leading the job evaluation process 
• Overseeing our recognition schemes

8. Maintaining a high level of legal awareness and ensuring HR legal obligations are maintained and our policy and practice is appropriate (Legal & Finance)

• Ensure that HR policy and practice remains compliant 
• Ensuring that our ‘Safeguarding’ responsibilities are upheld, staff receive training and DBS checks as appropriate 
• Oversight of the People budget including the international staff, recruitment and training.  

9. Professional Development

• Maintaining currency with employment legislation, HR good practice, and trends within Christian mission organisations 
• Maintaining Chartered membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development 
• Modelling self-leadership through continual professional development 

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Requirements:

Education/Qualifications:

• Degree or equivalent standard
• CIPD qualified (Level 7 - Chartered membership)

Experience:

• Proven experience in senior HR, management, and leadership roles
• Success in HR strategy design and change management
• Significant experience in recruitment

Skills/Abilities:

• Strategic planning and financial management expertise
• Excellent communication, presentation, and training skills
• Ability to influence at all levels within a complex organisation
• Knowledge of UK HR employment legislation

Personal Attributes:

• Committed evangelical Christian, able to represent MAF's mission, values and beliefs
• Emotional resourcefulness and service orientation
• Flexibility and adaptability towards others and circumstances

Terms and Conditions  

• Location: This role can be based at the MAF UK Offices in Folkstone, Kent or optionally could be in the Oxford, Cambridge arc as we seek to launch a new hub in the Milton Keynes area, maximising our engagement with a thriving local aerospace and charity sector region.  Up to two days a week in our Folkstone Office might be initially required.  We welcome hybrid working in line with our flexible working policy, the needs of the business, the requirements of the role and your location. This will be discussed at interview.
• Working Hours: This is a full time role (at least 36 hours per week, with 1 hour for lunch daily unpaid) but requiring some flexibility on the successful candidate to work additional hours occasionally some of which could be outside the normal business hours.   Hours should be agreed with line manager.
• Travel: Flexibility will be required for working additional hours and travel to meet business needs (inlcuding overseas travel) or for travel/meetings on weekends or evenings.
• Annual Leave: Annual leave entitlement of 22 days per year and 8 paid public holidays per year.
• Pension Scheme: Non-contributory (10% of salary).
• Probation: 6 months
• Notice Period: 3 months each.
• Salary: circa £65,000 per annum