Age UK East London

Head of People (Maternity cover)

The closing date is 10 February 2026

Job summary

Working across some of the most deprived London boroughs Age UK East London has c. 75 paid staff and a similar number of volunteers. Were proud of the fact that 93% of respondents to our annual people survey said they would recommend us as a place to work.

We know that if we want to succeed in delivering our ambitious five-year strategy for older people, we need to make sure we have staff and volunteers who are skilled, well resourced, supported and who represent our values. Over the past two years we have, therefore, gone through many people-related changes from improving our recruitment practices, to reviewing staffing needs, to improving our support and training offer. Importantly, we have improved the way we involve our people in the decision-making process and how we all collaborate to support each other and provide a holistic experience for our clients.

Our current Head of People, who has been central to much of this change, went on maternity leave in January and unfortunately her maternity cover left shortly afterwards as a result of a family emergency. We have short-term cover arrangements in place but really want someone to join us for 12 months who can lead the delivery and development of our people-related plans and HR function.

Main duties of the job

Lead and develop the charity's HR and Volunteering functions - People - to foster a positive, engaging, and inclusive work environment, in line with the organisation's values and EDI objectives.

About us

Vision

We want East London to be a place where people age well, and where older people live happy, healthy, and fulfilled lives.

Our Mission

We will provide accessible, consistent, flexible, and kind services for older people that are targeted at the people who need us the most.

Our Values

  • Kind: We treat people with kindness, patience, generosity, and care.

  • Accountable: We are reliable and trustworthy and do what we say we are going to do.

  • Collaborative: We work as equal partners with beneficiaries, and we work in partnership with other agencies to best meet the needs of older people.

  • Flexible: We adapt according to the needs of our clients and community; we recognise the barriers many older people face and do our best to fit our services around them.

  • Inclusive: All older people feel that AUKEL is for them.We deliberately work to make our services inclusive and take positive action to remove barriers for people least likely to trust us.

Details

Date posted

21 January 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£41,700 to £46,850 a year 41700-46850 per year pro-rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

B0657-HoPMat01

Job locations

Age Uk

82 Russia Lane

London

E2 9LU


329 Queensbridge Road

London

E8 3LA


Age Uk

655 Barking Road

London

E13 9EX


Job description

Job responsibilities

Key TasksLeadership- A member of SMT you will work with the People Sub-Committee and SMT to develop and implement organisational people strategies and plans to support the delivery of our organisational strategy for older people.- Have responsibility for our progress against these plans; measure and report this to PSC and SMT, including by administering our annual people survey, volunteer survey and trustee survey. Identify areas that require improvement and make recommendations for change.People management- Oversee People-related policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with UK employment law and best practices.- Support the development and implementation of Learning and Development (L&D) initiatives.- Provide support and guidance to those in line management roles within the organisation including on performance management issues and processes.- Provide line management and support to the Community and Volunteer Manager, ensuring their work aligns with organisational priorities.- Manage complex employee relations cases, including grievances, disciplinary actions, and change management.Administration- Ensure all employee compliance requirements are met, including DBS checks, right to work documentation, and up-to-date staff records.- Work with the DFO to ensure accurate and timely monthly payroll processing)Quality- Ensure that AUKELs People policies and procedure are in compliance with the Charity Quality Standard.- Strive for excellence through the people in the organisation.Liaison- To participate to the National Age UK HR network to exchange insight and learn good practice.- To liaise with our Solicitor team to ensure compliance when managing complex cases.- To represent AUKEL and participate in appropriate external meetings and events in order to remain aware of local, regional and national issues affecting quality and compliance issues affecting charitable companies.- To attend relevant HR/ Employment Law seminars or work groups as the AUKEL HR ambassador.General- To meet regularly with the CEO for support, supervision and appraisal.- To attend team and staff meetings, as required.- To undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder as may be required from time to time for the continued smooth running of Age UK East London.- To undertake any training required to fulfil the role.- To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with Age UKs East Londons policies and procedures including: Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults.Functional Links- This role reports directly to the CEO- Excellent working relationship with SMT and Finance team.- Close working relationship is needed with the Operations Coordinator and the Executive and Governance Coordinator.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key TasksLeadership- A member of SMT you will work with the People Sub-Committee and SMT to develop and implement organisational people strategies and plans to support the delivery of our organisational strategy for older people.- Have responsibility for our progress against these plans; measure and report this to PSC and SMT, including by administering our annual people survey, volunteer survey and trustee survey. Identify areas that require improvement and make recommendations for change.People management- Oversee People-related policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with UK employment law and best practices.- Support the development and implementation of Learning and Development (L&D) initiatives.- Provide support and guidance to those in line management roles within the organisation including on performance management issues and processes.- Provide line management and support to the Community and Volunteer Manager, ensuring their work aligns with organisational priorities.- Manage complex employee relations cases, including grievances, disciplinary actions, and change management.Administration- Ensure all employee compliance requirements are met, including DBS checks, right to work documentation, and up-to-date staff records.- Work with the DFO to ensure accurate and timely monthly payroll processing)Quality- Ensure that AUKELs People policies and procedure are in compliance with the Charity Quality Standard.- Strive for excellence through the people in the organisation.Liaison- To participate to the National Age UK HR network to exchange insight and learn good practice.- To liaise with our Solicitor team to ensure compliance when managing complex cases.- To represent AUKEL and participate in appropriate external meetings and events in order to remain aware of local, regional and national issues affecting quality and compliance issues affecting charitable companies.- To attend relevant HR/ Employment Law seminars or work groups as the AUKEL HR ambassador.General- To meet regularly with the CEO for support, supervision and appraisal.- To attend team and staff meetings, as required.- To undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder as may be required from time to time for the continued smooth running of Age UK East London.- To undertake any training required to fulfil the role.- To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with Age UKs East Londons policies and procedures including: Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults.Functional Links- This role reports directly to the CEO- Excellent working relationship with SMT and Finance team.- Close working relationship is needed with the Operations Coordinator and the Executive and Governance Coordinator.

Person Specification

Skills/Attributes

Essential

  • Excellent verbal and written communication including ability to write reports and present to different stakeholder groups.
  • Ability to collect and analyse data to extract insights and trends to make informed decisions.
  • Intermediate IT skills including using of Microsoft form and polls.
  • Professional and proactive approach which instils confidence, trust and motivate others
  • Values-driven and aligned with the mission of the charity.
  • Empathetic, with a strong commitment to employee and volunteer well-being.

Desirable

  • Mediation skills
  • Conflict Management skills

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential

  • Strong understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and practice across People Functions.
  • Degree in Human Resource Management or have acquired the equivalent CIPD level through experience assessment (or working towards same)

Desirable

  • Knowledge of Health and Safety as it relates to the HR function
  • HR data system/ data bases (preferably Sage HR).
  • Confidence in using Office365 including Microsoft forms.

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience of a Generalist HR role including managing employee relations in compliance with UK employment law.
  • Experience in collaboratively developing policies and procedures.
  • Experience in working collaboratively with managers to provide both constructive feedback and support to staff.
  • Experience of line management and developing staff or volunteers.

Desirable

  • Of working with volunteers
  • Experience of reporting directly to a Trustees Board.
Person Specification

Skills/Attributes

Essential

  • Excellent verbal and written communication including ability to write reports and present to different stakeholder groups.
  • Ability to collect and analyse data to extract insights and trends to make informed decisions.
  • Intermediate IT skills including using of Microsoft form and polls.
  • Professional and proactive approach which instils confidence, trust and motivate others
  • Values-driven and aligned with the mission of the charity.
  • Empathetic, with a strong commitment to employee and volunteer well-being.

Desirable

  • Mediation skills
  • Conflict Management skills

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential

  • Strong understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and practice across People Functions.
  • Degree in Human Resource Management or have acquired the equivalent CIPD level through experience assessment (or working towards same)

Desirable

  • Knowledge of Health and Safety as it relates to the HR function
  • HR data system/ data bases (preferably Sage HR).
  • Confidence in using Office365 including Microsoft forms.

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience of a Generalist HR role including managing employee relations in compliance with UK employment law.
  • Experience in collaboratively developing policies and procedures.
  • Experience in working collaboratively with managers to provide both constructive feedback and support to staff.
  • Experience of line management and developing staff or volunteers.

Desirable

  • Of working with volunteers
  • Experience of reporting directly to a Trustees Board.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Age UK East London

Address

Age Uk

82 Russia Lane

London

E2 9LU


Employer's website

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/eastlondon/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Age UK East London

Address

Age Uk

82 Russia Lane

London

E2 9LU


Employer's website

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/eastlondon/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Operations Coordinator

Adam Hartley

hr@ageukeastlondon.org.uk

02089817124

Details

Date posted

21 January 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£41,700 to £46,850 a year 41700-46850 per year pro-rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

B0657-HoPMat01

Job locations

Age Uk

82 Russia Lane

London

E2 9LU


329 Queensbridge Road

London

E8 3LA


Age Uk

655 Barking Road

London

E13 9EX


Privacy notice

Age UK East London's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)