HR Director / HR Directoress

Job Opportunity: HR Director at Independent Forgings and Alloys Ltd

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. Unique in its offerings, IFA stands as the only single-sited forge globally with open-die radial, press, hammer, and ring rolling capabilities, along with closed-die extrusion, drop stamp, and blade forging. Through extensive forging, machining, and testing capabilities, we provide a fully integrated metals service centre, supplying critical components to sectors such as aerospace, defence, energy, and other highly regulated industries.

As our business continues its ambitious growth and investment journey, we are looking to appoint an accomplished HR Director to be part of our Senior Leadership Team. This pivotal leadership role will be instrumental in shaping the people strategy, organisational capability, and culture required to support the next phase of our 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 encompasses all aspects of Human Resources, including organizational development, employee relations, leadership development, talent management, workforce planning, and compliance. You will provide strategic leadership while maintaining a visible presence across the business, ensuring that HR supports operational excellence and long-term organizational 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 organizational 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 organizational change and transformation programmes.
• Develop learning and development initiatives to enhance leadership, management, and technical capability across the organization.
• 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 organizational culture.
• Contribute to wider business strategy as an influential member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Requirements

• Proven experience at HR Director, Head of HR, or Senior HR Leadership level within manufacturing, engineering, or similarly complex environments.
• Demonstrable experience in developing and delivering organization-wide people strategies.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to align HR initiatives with business performance and growth.
• Significant experience advising executive leadership teams on strategic people matters.
• Excellent knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR best practices.
• Experience leading organizational change, transformation, and cultural development programmes.
• Strong track record in 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 organizational 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 position within the Senior Leadership Team with genuine influence over the future direction of the organization.
• Long-term career opportunity within a stable, growing, and highly respected engineering company.

Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

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.