HR Director

Independent Forgings and Alloys Ltd (IFA), one of Europe's leading precision forging companies, is seeking an experienced HR Director to join its Sheffield-based operation.

IFA sits uniquely as the only single-sited forge in the world with open-die radial, press, hammer and ring rolling capabilities alongside closed-die extrusion, drop stamp and blade forging. Through extensive forging, machining and testing capabilities, the business provides a fully integrated metals service centre, supplying critical components into aerospace, defence, energy and other highly regulated industries.

As the business continues its ambitious growth and investment journey, IFA is looking to appoint an accomplished HR Director to join the Senior Leadership Team. This is a pivotal leadership appointment, responsible for shaping the people strategy, organisational capability and culture required to support the next phase of business growth.

The Role

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, partnering with leaders across the business to develop a high-performing, engaged and future-focused workforce. This role will oversee all aspects of Human Resources including organisational development, employee relations, leadership development, talent management, reward, workforce planning and compliance.

You will provide strategic leadership while maintaining a visible presence across the business, ensuring HR supports operational excellence and long-term organisational success.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive people strategy aligned with IFA's business objectives and long-term growth plans.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team on all people-related matters.
• Lead organisational development initiatives, including succession planning, leadership capability and workforce planning.
• Drive employee engagement strategies that foster a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture.
• Lead talent acquisition, retention and development initiatives to ensure the business attracts and retains exceptional people.
• Oversee all employee relations activities, ensuring fair, consistent and legally compliant people management practices.
• Develop and implement performance management frameworks that drive accountability and continuous improvement.
• Lead compensation, benefits and reward strategies to ensure market competitiveness.
• Ensure compliance with UK employment legislation, HR policies and governance requirements.
• Provide strategic leadership on organisational change and transformation programmes.
• Develop learning and development initiatives to enhance leadership, management and technical capability across the organisation.
• Monitor HR metrics and people analytics to support informed business decisions.
• Lead, develop and mentor the HR team to deliver a proactive and value-adding HR function.
• Build strong relationships with operational leaders, supporting employee engagement and positive industrial relations.
• Champion diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that strengthen organisational culture.
• Contribute to wider business strategy as an influential member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Requirements

• Proven experience operating at HR Director, Head of HR or Senior HR Leadership level within manufacturing, engineering, industrial or similarly complex environments.
• Demonstrable experience developing and delivering organisation-wide people strategies.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to align HR initiatives to business performance and growth.
• Significant experience advising executive leadership teams on strategic people matters.
• Excellent knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR best practice.
• Experience leading organisational change, transformation and cultural development programmes.
• Strong track record of developing leadership capability and high-performing teams.
• Outstanding stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills.
• Highly analytical with experience using HR metrics and data to drive business decisions.
• CIPD Level 7 qualified or equivalent is preferred.
• Experience supporting businesses through periods of growth, investment and organisational transformation would be highly advantageous.

What's on Offer

• Salary of £90,000 - £100,000 depending on experience.
• Performance-related bonus scheme.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Pension scheme.
• 33 days annual leave.
• Ongoing executive leadership development and professional support.
• Opportunity to shape the people strategy of one of the UK's most advanced forging and manufacturing businesses.
• A key Senior Leadership Team position with genuine influence over the future direction of the organisation.
• Long-term career opportunity within a stable, growing and highly respected engineering business.

This position is being recruited exclusively by W Talent, who will be conducting the initial executive search and selection process. For a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity, please contact Joe Walton at W Talent.