Head of HR - Cambridge - CB21 6GP
We are seeking a highly experienced and credible Head of HR to lead our HR team and overall people strategy.
We usually respond within two weeks
About us
Dardan have a wealth of experience in delivering smart security solutions that go beyond safeguarding buildings, property, and staff. We combine the best in technology, mobile services, physical guarding, and consultancy.
Our mission
Be ethical, be authentic, be agile and be smart. We do our best and then do a little bit more, every time.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a highly experienced and credible Head of HR to lead our HR team and overall people strategy. This is a senior, influential role requiring strong leadership, sound judgement, and the ability to balance operational priorities with a focus on people and best practice.
The successful candidate will become a key figure of the Senior Leadership Team and provide logical HR expertise to safeguard the business, ensuring all people policies, procedures, and practices remain fully compliant with employment legislation and industry standards. You will operate with autonomy and confidence, managing multiple workstreams, sometimes under pressure while remaining focused on delivering service excellence and cultural alignment.
Reporting into the Chief Operating Officer, this role has become available due to internal promotion and offers an excellent opportunity to work alongside a supportive Senior Leadership and Executive team who place a true value on people and the overall HR function.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic HR Leadership:
Deliver best-practice HR solutions that support structural, cultural, behavioural, and capability change using a pragmatic, commercial approach
Provide insight and reporting to senior leadership and the Board to support effective decision-making
Build strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders and clients
People Compliance & Risk
Ensure full compliance with employment legislation, HR best practice, and company policies
Lead on organisational change programmes including restructures, redundancies and TUPE
Maintain accountability for SIA compliance, BS7858 vetting standards, right-to-work documentation, and employment law risk
Employee Relations
Lead on complex, sensitive, or high-risk employee relations cases
Oversee ACAS Early Conciliation and potential Employment Tribunal matters
Guide and support senior managers through performance, misconduct, absence, and capability processes
Leadership & Engagement
Lead, motivate, and develop the HR team, ensuring professional development aligned with the CIPD Profession Map
Foster a positive, values-led culture focused on service, people, and engagement
Drive employee engagement initiatives, surveys, and action planning
Recruitment, Talent & Development
Maintain accountability for recruitment, onboarding, vetting, and workforce planning
Lead the development and delivery of HR management training programmes
Management Information & Projects
Enhance HR data, reporting, and MI to identify trends and risks (ER, diversity, absence, recruitment metrics)
Lead and contribute to HR projects aligned with business strategy and audit requirements
Reward and Benefits
Up to £60,000 per annum + car allowance (salary dependent on experience)
45 hours per week
This role offers a hybrid work model - ideally 3 days office based (Granta Park, CB21)
25 days holiday (site and shift dependant)
Recognition rewards
Access to a 24/7 employee wellbeing support line
Virtual GP Service
Essential Skills and Experience
A seasoned HR professional with significant senior leadership experience
Strong knowledge of UK employment law and regulated environments
Calm, resilient, and decisive, with the ability to manage complexity
Influential communicator with the gravitas to operate at senior level
CIPD qualified (or equivalent)
TUPE experience (desirable)
Passionate about creating an expectational people experience
Experience working in the professional service sector (security, facilities management, etc) (desirable)
We are Dardan
Dardan is a people focused, privately owned specialist security company. We choose our employees carefully and value them greatly. We know that our people are our greatest asset and as such we invest in their development. A career with us means joining an ACS Pacesetter & a company listed on Infologue’s “One to Watch”.
Diversity, Inclusion and Equality
At Dardan, we are committed to building a workforce of talented, intuitive, and ethical professionals. We do this through attracting and retaining a diverse group of people and encourage an inclusive environment for us and our clients.
We hire the best people available and have a continuously evolving culture where everybody is celebrated and respected, which we believe is critical for fostering innovation and collaboration. We recognise the strength in growing a workforce that encourages different ideas in line with our shared values.


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- Department
- Human Resources
- Locations
- Cambridge
- Remote status
- Hybrid
Cambridge
Dardan is fast paced, growing specialist security solutions provider with a rich history spanning over 40 years.
Dardan provides mobile and static security services, security intelligence, technology solutions and security consulting to some of the biggest brands in the UK.
The chance to join Dardan means a joining a culture that is constantly evolving and one where our clients dictate the opportunities we can offer our teams and the places they work.
Our security officers have the choice of one of the biggest patrol and response teams in the UK, corporate clients, specialist contracts across maritime, aviation and oil & gas at critical infrastructure across the UK. Many of these clients will let you use their gyms, canteens, and other facilities.
About Dardan Security
GSL Dardan Limited trading as Dardan Security is a limited company registered in England and Wales, registered number 4384007, whose registered office is at Quern House, Mill Court, Great Shelford, Cambridge, CB22 5LD
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