Head of HR

Celtic Football Club is one of the most iconic and successful football clubs in the world. With a global fanbase and footprint, based in Glasgow, Celtic has a proud heritage rooted in community, success, and social responsibility.

The Club’s on-field and off-field operations include the Men’s, Women’s, B team and Academy footballing operations, and the business supporting the overall development of the Club, including matchday operations, retail, hospitality, media, sponsorship, supporter relations and stadium operations.

Off the pitch, Celtic is deeply engaged in charitable and community work through the Celtic FC Foundation, which delivers projects supporting education, health, social inclusion, and poverty alleviation locally and internationally. This commitment to making a difference is at the heart of everything the Club does.

The opportunity has arisen to join Celtic in the role of Head of HR.

This is a key and critical role in our organisation and will work across all areas of the Club including footballing operations, corporate services, commercial, media, retail, ticketing and hospitality operations, community engagement, matchday and stadium operations (including security, stewarding and foodservices) and numerous others with the club employing just under 1000 staff across all operations.

The Head of HR will act as a link between all areas of the Club, and provide key support to the Executive, with a focus on implementing practical, solution-oriented HR policies and procedures, whilst ensuring robust support, development, compliance and governance is in place from a people perspective, all in line with the Club’s strategy and commitment to continuous improvement.

As Head of HR, you will lead the HR team to drive an effective, supportive and proactive HR support, with a focus on implementing business-led practical and solutions-oriented HR practices.

This pivotal role will be responsible for shaping and delivering an effective people strategy aligned with the Club’s strategy, culture, and growth ambitions – across both football and business operations – specifically including responsibility for:

• Ensuring efficient delivery of the full range of HR functions including talent acquisition, performance management, employee relations, learning and development, reward and benefits, and diversity and inclusion.
• Overseeing and driving efficiency of HR systems and streamlining processes, reducing manual work, whilst ensuring the integrity, and accuracy of employee data.
• Enhancing leadership capability, and providing strategic HR insights and reports to the Executive to support with strategic decision-making.
• Providing guidance and coaching to the HR team to ensure they are fully equipped to support with all people related matters including complex employee relations issues in compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, and internal policies across all jurisdictions in which the Club operates.
• Leading continuous improvement initiatives that enhance engagement, wellbeing and productivity, with a people-focused approach, aligning with the Club’s status as an employer of choice.

The ideal candidate will be a solution-oriented and process-driven leader with a passion for continuous improvement and a strong understanding of best practices within HR.

They will possess most of the following career experience:

• Proven track record in a senior HR leadership role (Head of HR or equivalent), ideally in a fast-paced, high-profile, complex and large-scale business environment (sport, media, entertainment, or complex commercial organisation would be desirable but not essential).
• Extensive knowledge and experience across the full spectrum of HR functions and demonstrable experience of strategic planning.
• Strong understanding of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience of delivering business practical HR solutions and improving HR systems and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to support and influence at Board/Exec level and build cross-functional partnerships.

In addition, they will bring the following personal qualities:

• A people-first leader with integrity, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
• Commercially astute and resilient under pressure in a dynamic, high performance setting.
• Passionate about inclusion, development, and values-based leadership.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• A natural collaborator with the confidence to challenge and support at senior level.
• High level of discretion and professionalism.
• HR certification/qualification(s) are desirable.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Jaclyn Needham at FWB on:

jaclyn@fwbltd.com / 0131-539-7087