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Bonhams prides itself on the following brand values:
- Passionate: We are an international auction house owned and run by colleagues sharing with their collecting clients a passion for unique objects and works of art embodying the best of human creativity through ages.
- Knowledgeable: We have more specialists across more subjects than any other auction house. Our knowledge base extends around the world with a network of offices and regional representatives.
- Refreshing: We are an auction house established since 1793 in the UK and 1865 in the US, with years of experience in the auction world at more than 200 years old, but we are always learning and looking ahead. We are modern in our outlook, open and approachable. Our specialists are accessible and travel the world to meet our clients. We have been innovative and lead the industry in introducing new and more efficient practices into the business.
- Responsive: We are always listening to our clients and endeavor to meet their needs and the needs of the market.
The Head of People, US will be joining at an exciting time for the growth of our business in working with the US leadership team to help them develop their talent strategy, strengthen our people brand globally, build organizational capability and drive process improvement.
This role will be at the forefront of driving the new people strategy that is progressive, accessible and integral to our commercial success.
This creative and dynamic role will work closely with our people looking after all elements of the employee lifecycle from attraction of prospective employees to growing and developing them right until they leave the company. You will also have the opportunity to engage with stakeholders, prospects and clients as part of the Bonhams US leadership team.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
PEOPLE STRATEGY
• Lead, motivate, and develop the HR function to ensure that it is effectively engaged and organised to play a proactive role in achieving commercial goals, and that all resources are focused on delivering agreed business priorities, and flexible enough to cope with changes in the organisation as and when they occur.
• Develop a talent acquisition strategy to support managers needs and build employer brand in US
• Responsible for implementation and integration of all planned and unplanned acquisitions in US working with local and global management as required
• Quickly understanding key trends in the market and creating talent development, succession, and attraction strategies to ensure Bonhams has the necessary talent and skills in the organisation in a highly competitive market.
• Work with global HR team to build career development frameworks for our US offices • Be instrumental in evolving the performance management process ensuring managers are equipped to tap into drivers of performance and deliver actionable feedback.
• Responsible for the development, updating and implementation of effective reward strategies
• Identify, develop and deliver learning solutions where appropriate working with IT & global HR team
• Drive opportunities to establish and reinforce the ongoing cultural change in US • Responsible for working with senior management to ensure the feedback from the engagement survey is implemented in US
• Share knowledge and best practice with other members of the HR team globally • Line management responsibility for HR Advisor and HR Administrator.
REWARD
• Lead on all remuneration and governance-related issues for the US
• Oversee the design, development, and implementation of effective reward strategies to ensure that Bonhams US continues to provide levels and structures of remuneration that are appropriate to attract, retain, motivate, and reward the high-calibre talent required for the success of the organisation.
• Oversee the annual reward timetable, implementing all aspects of salary and bonus administration including the annual salary review process and all incentive plans, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of output, as well as adherence to the appropriate controls and authorisation levels.
• To be fully conversant with technical issues including local legislation, pensions, taxation, regulatory requirements, and rules of schemes, and to keep up to date with any changes and make proposals to support these.
CLIENT
• Build effective relationships and credibility with the executives and senior leadership team in the US, ensuring that HR are appropriately consulted and actively influence all key discussions and decisions regarding the management and development of staff.
• Understand the Bonhams business and assess the strategic/operational people requirements in line with the organic and M&A strategy for growth
• Responsible for the provision of HR consultancy service to senior management by; o Ensuring compliance with organisational policy, procedures and legal requirements o Coaching managers to develop a best practice approach to people management
• Represent the US business externally and build relationships with relevant client representatives, external practitioners and professional bodies
PROCESSES
• Overall responsibility for all processes and procedures including recruitment and onboarding, benefits, performance management and compensation frameworks and Payroll
• Work with the Program Management team to ensure the scoping and implementation of a new global HR & Payroll system in US is fit for purpose
• Work with the senior management team to maintain appropriate organisational design and change activities throughout business
• Ability to obtain and analyse people data to draw conclusions and make recommendations on strategic initiatives
• Provide a first-class HR consultancy service to senior managers by ensuring compliance with policy, procedures and legal requirements, managing employee relation issues • Focus on own continuous development and ensure skills are kept up to date
FINANCIAL
• Contribute to the achievement of strategic objectives ensuring that projects run to time and budget
• Develop a full understanding of financial performance of the business lines • Clearly understand, articulate and manage cost factors as appropriate relating to the provision of HR services
In addition to the tasks and responsibilities listed, you may be required to perform other duties as assigned by your Manager.
• 5 plus years’ experience of a business partner role or equivalent
• Digital and campaign management experience
• Direct experience of implementing and supporting global change programmes
• Technically literate including HR Platforms and MS Office. Experience of implementing an HR system an advantage
• Strong knowledge and understanding of US labour law
• Ability to analyse and manipulate people data and draw insights to help drive priorities of the people agenda
• Self-motivated, ability to multi-task, prioritise and work accurately
• Able to build strong working relationships and gain respect across all levels of the organisation
• Professional, inspires confidence with people
• Confident communicator both in writing and verbally
• Creative, but practical approach to problem solving
• Able to confidently influence individuals when required
• Confident, tenacious, resilient and enthusiastic
• Numerate with a sound understanding of financial principles and procedures
• Experience of payroll administration
• Professional services industry and/or multi-site background, an advantage
Salary: $140,000 – $170,000 base + bonus
