Senior HR Policy Lead

Job description

Senior HR Policy Lead
Location: Kilburn / NSY
Working Pattern: 3 days per week in the office, 2 days from home
Contract: 4-month contract
Rate: Up to £550 per day Umbrella / £420.93 per day PAYE
Vetting: CTC clearance required - fast-track option available
Start: Ideally December 2026

RSR is a public safety & enterprise security recruitment specialist.
We assist public safety employers in finding the right talent and support organisations seeking specialist public safety and enterprise security skills and experience.
About the Role
We are currently recruiting for an experienced Senior HR Policy Lead to join a strategic HR team on a four-month contract.
This is a specialist HR policy position and would suit someone with a strong background in developing, reviewing and implementing HR policy within a large and complex organisation.
The successful candidate will provide strategic oversight of HR policy, ensuring policies reflect legislative and regulatory changes, including Police Regulations, as well as recognised good practice from organisations such as ACAS.
You will work closely with senior managers, HR colleagues, staff associations, Trade Unions and other stakeholders, providing credible and well-informed advice on complex and sometimes contentious policy matters.
The team is looking for someone who can quickly establish credibility, influence at a senior level and confidently lead consultation and negotiation, whilst identifying practical solutions and delivering work at pace.
Key Responsibilities

• Develop, review and implement HR policies and procedures.
• Ensure HR policies reflect changes in employment legislation, Police Regulations and wider best practice.
• Provide strategic advice on how HR policy can support organisational priorities and change.
• Lead consultations with key stakeholders, including Trade Unions, Police Federation, senior managers and third-party suppliers.
• Lead formal and informal discussions and represent senior management at stakeholder meetings.
• Write clear and succinct papers, briefings and recommendations for senior management.
• Identify unnecessary bureaucracy within existing HR policies and processes and recommend improvements.
• Identify organisational risks and develop appropriate solutions.
• Provide expert HR advice on complex and potentially contentious issues.
• Work collaboratively with wider HR teams and third-party HR suppliers to deliver a consistent approach.
• Lead or contribute to specific HR projects and organisational initiatives.
• Challenge existing or proposed policies and processes constructively, providing credible alternatives.
• Build effective working relationships across the organisation, including with challenging stakeholders.
• Manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work at pace.
• Support colleagues and contribute to the wider effectiveness of the HR policy function.

Essential Criteria

• CIPD qualified.
• Significant experience working in HR at a strategic level.
• Strong, demonstrable experience in HR policy development and implementation.
• Experience developing and writing HR policies and procedures within a large or complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation and/or Police Regulations gained within a senior HR environment.
• Knowledge of equality and inclusion legislation.
• Strong understanding of recognised HR good practice, including guidance from organisations such as ACAS.
• Experience consulting and negotiating with Trade Unions, staff associations and/or Police Federation representatives.
• Excellent written communication skills, including experience producing senior management papers and briefings.
• Experience providing HR advice on complex issues.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to diplomatically challenge senior colleagues and stakeholders.
• Ability to identify risks and provide practical, evidence-based solutions.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver at pace.
• Experience working effectively within a changing organisation.
• Ability to quickly establish credibility and build strong relationships at all levels.

The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be a strategic HR policy specialist, rather than someone whose experience is primarily focused on project delivery or general project management.
You will be confident operating at senior level and comfortable handling sensitive or contentious policy matters, including consultation and negotiation with Trade Unions and other staff representatives.
You will be an excellent communicator and writer, able to translate complex legislation, regulation and organisational requirements into clear, practical HR policy.
Experience within policing or another large, highly regulated organisation would be highly advantageous.

If you have a strong strategic HR policy background and experience influencing senior stakeholders and negotiating complex policy changes, we would like to hear from you.

Reference 225698205