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General Manager People & Performance

Our client, Virgin Holidays, is the largest and most successful transatlantic tour operator, holding the position of the market leader to the USA and Florida. We are working exclusively with our client seeking an HR professional to join their Human Resources team based in the Crawley as a General Manager – People and Performance. This is a six month maternity cover contract commencing in February 2009, which may be extended further to cover the period of leave.

The General Manager – People and Performance will have overall responsibility for driving the organisation’s People & Performance strategy in relation to creating the highest performing culture in the industry. You will work at a strategic level while still displaying excellent attention to detail, as planning, documenting and updating the status of corporate projects is also integral to the role.

You will make presentations to the Directors and SMT and constructively challenge them on People related decisions, with a focus on commercial considerations. You will be a champion of self learning, development and continuous improvement, to equip SMT with the skills to actively sponsor performance management. You will balance competing issues and take decisions based on the whole business & commercial priorities.

You will manage a small team of direct reports, ensuring that they have the tools and knowledge required to effectively manage their teams of people. You will drive the Learning & Development strategy, with the L&D Team Leader, and have overall budget responsibility for L&D within the organisation. You will also have overall responsibility for Management Development budget, and work in partnership with external Consultants to deliver highly impactful and measurable Management Development programs.

You will act as a role model in all aspects of customer service delivery, taking a pro-active and customer-centric approach to all interactions with people across the business. You will facilitate a culture which enables cross functional working and lead by example to initiate and manage change effectively for the longer term benefit of the company.

You will be an HR Professional with significant experience at this level, implementing organisation Strategy. You will have previous experience of managing departments or functions and the ability to work in a rapidly changing and fast paced environment. Experience of Reward would be advantageous. You will be fully CIPD qualified, preferably at Member or Fellow status. You will possess the ability to quickly build positive working relationships and will communicate effectively at all levels.

We operate as both an "Employment Agency" and an “Employment Business” for the purposes of the conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003