Head of HR

AFC Wimbledon is a professional football club based in Wimbledon, London, with an astonishing history, having been reformed in 2002 to continue 135 years of Wimbledon sporting representation.

In 2020 the club returned home to Plough Lane, Wimbledon - to the brand new Cherry Red Records Stadium - a purpose-built, long-awaited modern stadium with a 9,000 capacity and excellent corporate and event facilities, funded by the dedicated contributions of its fans. The original Wimbledon FC played just yards away for 70 years and achieved worldwide fame by going from non-league to the Premiership and beating Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup Final.

Owned by its fans through membership of The Dons Trust, AFC Wimbledon exemplifies community spirit and fan engagement - with award-winning community schemes and charitable endeavours alongside its sporting achievements.

The club’s men's team play in League Two, its women’s team have won promotion to the third tier for the first time, and its Academy produces new generations of professional players while regularly beating the youth teams of Premier League and Championship sides.

It has the longest-standing shirt sponsorship deal in English football history (Sports Interactive) and a strong track record in partnering with organisations seeking to harness the history, authenticity and global reach of this fan-powered football fairy-tale.

The Role - Head of HR

We are seeking a Head of HR to sit on the club’s Senior Management Team and play a critical role in ensuring the club’s staff experience a first-class HR service. The Head of HR is a standalone position that will play a major role in ensuring a positive, collaborative and fulfilling staff culture.

Our workforce is varied with differing HR needs, ranging from playing and coaching staff to more commercial and operational roles responsible for delivering matchdays and events.

The role covers both the playing and non-playing side of the business: circa 140 in total with a mixture of full-time and part-time roles: split across 50 in the football dept, 50 in the Academy, and 40 at the stadium.

The club also benefits from an army of volunteers, and the Head of HR will oversee contractual arrangements with all volunteers.

Safeguarding is of the utmost importance to the club, and the Head of HR will oversee this area, supported by a part-time resource.

The Head of HR will also liaise with third-party catering and cleaning management / staff as required.

This position requires strong leadership and influencing skills, the ability to multi-task, and requires a positive, proactive, can-do attitude.

Key considerations before applying

Although football / sport experience is not essential, it is preferred.

The successful candidate will be expected to work at the stadium five days per week, although one 'work from home’ day a week is possible once probation is passed.

Role and Responsibilities - Head of HR

• Provide robust, compliant, business-aligned advice to line managers on all HR Employee Relations issues to quickly resolve matters
• Provide confidential advice concerning current employment legislation and manage the process concerning potential employment tribunals or other claims
• Member of senior management team, positively influencing the club’s culture, strategy and day-to-day delivery of key projects and events
• Manage, review and update HR policies across the club (playing, non-playing and volunteers)
• Play an active role in the club’s ED&I Working Group
• Management of the full employee lifecycle including recruitment
• Maintain London Living Wage compliance
• Support Head of Finance on managing the club’s pension scheme for its employees, as well as salary sacrifice initiatives for both the club’s & employee’s benefit
• Deliver induction processes for new staff members
• Regular interaction with the finance department in respect of the monthly payroll process, covering both the main and casual staff payroll.
• Ensuring that club policies are compliant, widely adopted by staff, with all necessary policies reviewed annually for Board approval.
• Management of HR platform - Sense
• Build, maintain and develop the performance management process for all staff to enhance focus on commercial and cultural objectives
• Facilitation of development and training for all staff
• Overall responsibility for the Club’s Safeguarding policies and procedures for vulnerable adults and children via Safeguarding Manager (part-time)
• Reports to PLC board through Safeguarding, HR and Risk Committee.

Experience & Skills Required - Head of HR

• 5 years’ experience in a similar role / similarly sized organisation.
• Proven track record within a senior HR role ideally within a sports team or organisation.
• Educated to degree level.
• CIPD qualified to level 5 minimum.
• Regulatory knowledge.
• Experience of dealing with the following processes: Disciplinary, Grievance, Severance
• IT literate
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to demonstrate strategic thinking abilities as well as strong influencing, presentation and communication skills
• Energetic, persuasive and engaging personality who will thrive in the uniquely challenging world of football
• Ability to turn ideas into deliverables with minimal supervision

If you possess the required HR experience and are looking to progress your HR career please do apply with your full CV details.

Auricoe are working exclusively on behalf of AFC Wimbledon to appoint a Head of HR. All direct applications and CVs will be forwarded to Auricoe.