Shape the future of people, culture and leadership in Tower Hamlets

At Tower Hamlets, we are re‑imagining HR & Organisational Development from the ground up, building a modern, high‑impact, values‑driven service that shapes not just what we deliver, but how we feel to work here.

We are recruiting five Heads of Service (£84,459 to £92,332) to form a new senior leadership team. These are pivotal, high‑profile roles with real influence across one of London’s most diverse and dynamic boroughs.

You won’t just be leading functions, you’ll be shaping culture, strengthening leadership, and helping to create an organisation where people can do their best work, and communities benefit as a result.

The roles

Head of HR Business Partnering
Head of Employment Policy & Practice
Head of Pay, Reward & Performance
Head of Resourcing, HR Systems & Contracts
Head of Organisational Effectiveness

A collective leadership challenge

As a Head of Service, you will:

Lead a major service area with visible impact across the organisation
Set direction and pace, turning strategy into meaningful, measurable outcomes
Influence at scale, partnering with senior leaders
Drive consistency, quality and accountability across the council
Own delivery, performance, risk and governance within your portfolio

But just as importantly, you will:

Shape and role‑model the organisational culture we want to see - inclusive, ambitious, collaborative and accountable
Create environments where people feel supported, challenged and able to thrive
Lead through complexity with authenticity, clarity and purpose

Building something different together

You’ll be part of a new, collective leadership team that is:

Re‑defining what great HR & OD looks like in local government
Embedding equity, inclusion and belonging at the heart of everything we do, not as an add‑on, but as a core principle
Using data, insight and evidence to drive better decisions and outcomes
Raising standards and professionalising how we operate
Delivering a consistently high‑quality employee experience across the organisation

This is about building a culture where:

Diverse perspectives are valued and shape decision‑making
Inclusion is experienced day‑to‑day, not just articulated in strategy
Leaders are visible, accountable and connected to their people
Continuous improvement and learning are part of how we work

Why Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets is one of the most diverse boroughs in the country, and that diversity is our strength.

This is a rare opportunity to:

Make a tangible difference to the working lives of thousands of employees
Shape the culture of a forward‑thinking, community‑focused organisation
Lead meaningful change at scale, with visible impact for residents
Join a leadership team that is bold, supportive and committed to doing things differently

Make your mark

If you are an experienced, values‑driven HR & OD leader ready to shape culture, influence at scale and deliver lasting impact, we want to hear from you.

Explore the roles and apply:

Shape the future of people, culture and leadership in Tower Hamlets