Location: London, UK
Salary: Competitive
Closing Date: Monday 17 March
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Commonwealth Sport is on a mission to build a world-class organisation as part of our Commonwealth United ten-year plan to deliver inspirational Games, drive equality and empower athletes and young people. To achieve this, we are committed to fostering a diverse, high-performing team with strong cultural awareness, a great working environment, and an ambitious, delivery mindset. 

We’re looking for an experienced, energetic, and values-driven HR professional to join us as Head of HR. In this pivotal role, you’ll lead our People Strategy, drive employee engagement, and shape a thriving organisational culture for our team of c.30 employees, based in London and internationally. 

This is an incredible opportunity to make a real impact in a prestigious, multicultural, values-based sporting organisation. If you’re a self-starter with a passion for people and organisational excellence, we’d love to hear from you. 

To apply, please send a CV and Covering Letter to Sarah Hall (s.hall@thecgf.com) by 17 March 2025.  Please also get in touch with Sarah if you have any questions. 

Job Description

The Commonwealth United ten year plan is supported by four strategic enablers, the first being “A World-Class Organisation”.  Through this plan, we have committed to create a diverse, high-performing management team with cultural awareness, an effective operating model, great culture and employee proposition. At the time of developing the strategy, the key workstreams agreed to deliver on this commitment were to: 

  • Develop a People Strategy to include professional development and recruitment and retention (inc reward and recognition) 
  • Develop an organisational succession plan, identifying skills gaps and future organisational needs
  • Increase staff engagement and develop a strong organisational culture, measured through eg an annual culture survey 

Accordingly this role has an essential part to play in driving this commitment to be a world-class organisation, shaping and managing all HR functions within the organisation, providing comprehensive HR support to our c.30 employees - most are based in the London Headquarters, with five Regional Development staff members based internationally. This role is ideal for an experienced, energetic and values-driven HR professional, a self-starter looking to take on a broad-ranging role within a prestigious, multicultural, values-based sporting organisation. 

Responsibilities 

  • General HR Administration: Manage all aspects of HR administration, including maintaining employee records, preparing HR documents, and managing HR databases.
  • Recruitment and Onboarding: Oversee the entire recruitment process, from posting job adverts and screening candidates to conducting interviews and coordinating the onboarding of new employees. 
  • Policy Review and Development: Review and develop, implement, and maintain HR policies and procedures ensuring consistency and in line with best practices and legal requirements. 
  • HR Strategies: Develop and lead on all HR Strategies and lead on all organisational structure alignments.
  • Employee Relations: Promote an open, consistent, fair and approachable manner when dealing with people matters and serve as the primary point of contact for employee relations queries and issues, providing confidential support, high levels of service and care as well as guidance and support on HR policies and procedures. 
  • Training and Development: Identify training opportunities and needs and coordinate training programs to support employee development and organisational goals. 
  • Payroll and Benefits: Manage payroll processing and benefits administration, ensuring accuracy and compliance with relevant regulations, both for employees in and outside the UK. 
  • Wellbeing: Manage and monitor the employee experience (eg through an annual culture survey) and report key findings and make recommendations to continuously support the team’s wellbeing. Support the ongoing development of a culture to enable the development of a workforce which is at the heart of the Commonwealth Sport Movement, where colleagues feel valued, involved and respected. 
  • Diversity: Strengthen the diversity and cultural awareness of the management team and support the ongoing development and implementation of the organisational EDI policy and movement-wide commitments to equality and diversity.   
  • Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that the CGF receives appropriate advice and is compliant with all employment laws and regulations, including data protection and health and safety requirements. 
  • Performance Management: Develop and lead on implementation of an annual Performance Management System, championing a values performance-based culture, reviewing performance and delivery, making recommendations for improvement. Ensure learning needs are reviewed and actioned by working closely with Managers. 
  • Games Time Support: Provide support, issues resolution and guidance to the team during Games time deployments.
  • HR Projects: Support various HR projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing the employee experience and organisational effectiveness.

Key Interfaces:

  • Senior Leadership Team
  • Corporate Services Team
  •  All Management Performance
  • Remuneration Committee 

Competencies Required

  • Proven experience as an HR Administrator, HR Generalist, or similar role. 
  • Strong knowledge of HR functions, policies, and best practices. 
  • Strong knowledge of employment law and regulations, including data protection and health and safety requirements
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). 
  • Familiarity with HR databases and HRIS systems (currently using Sense HR). 
  • Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and integrity. 
  • Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively. 
  • CIPD Level 5 Qualification (or working towards) is desirable but not essential. 

Behaviours

  • Proactive and self-motivated with a positive attitude. 
  • A team player with the ability to build effective working relationships. 
  • Passion for sport and interest in Commonwealth values and cultures.
  • Adaptable and able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
  • Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equality.