Senior Lead Artist jobs

Head of People and Culture

Reporting to: Executive Director

Working closely with: Director of Finance

Responsible for: People Partner; Senior Health & Safety Manager and Wellbeing lead

The Role

This is a key managerial role, combining operational expertise with a people first approach to nurture a workforce that is inclusive and accountable, ensuring all our work is delivered to the highest standard. You will be pivotal in developing a long-term people strategy in response to the new vision that will ensure WNOCC attracts, develops, and retains the people who will take this company into the next 80 years.

You will thrive in a collaborative environment, building strong relationships across a complex workforce including artists, technicians, partners and colleagues at WNOCC and in our subsidiary Cardiff Theatrical Services. You will be central to driving a culture that is curious, open and forward-looking; whilst putting the wellbeing of our staff at its heart.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic & Operational

• Lead and shape our People Strategy, ensuring it aligns people, structures and culture with our values and long‑term ambition, in both our vision and operating model.
• Oversee HR operations, recruitment and people processes delivering high‑quality, responsive support to colleagues.
• Drive robust, modern employment policies, ensuring they remain legally compliant, up to date with best practice, and reflective of WNOCC’s values and culture.
• Provide trusted guidance to colleagues that builds confidence, strengthens people‑management skills, and supports teams to thrive.
• Work with the Executive and Management Group to develop and deliver WNOCC’s policies and procedures.
• Play an active role in supporting the effective management of business transformation, advising the Executive on strategies to achieve buy-in and commitment from staff.
• Play a leading role in driving culture change; embedding values and behaviors across the organisation.
• Engineer a step-change in WNOCC’s approach to ED&I, in relation to organisation culture and output. Support WNOCC in positive action champaigns and embed that work throughout the organisation.
• Support the Executive to place Cymraeg (Welsh Language and culture) at the forefront of WNOCC’s work.

Business Performance

• Track key HR metrics, including but not limited to; Staff engagement & satisafaction, Retention & Turnover and Absence.
• Proactively engage with Executive Team and Managers to support colleagues to reach their full potential, overseeing training & professional development of staff.
• Support Executive and Managers to address and improve performance and development of colleagues including advising on performance evaluation systems.
• Overseeing the development & implementation of the integrated HR / Payroll system.
• Monitor employment legislation development, assessing the impact on the Company and developing policies to maintain legal compliance.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work with teams from Audiences & Development to improve internal communications channels to support our people and drive engagement.
• Work with the Executive Director and wider team to develop a coordinated and consistent approach to the way the Company engages with all colleagues directly and indirectly.
• Work closely with the Executive Director to develop an effective pay & reward system.
• Support line managers to ensure that all aspects of team management are carried out in line with our policies and procedures, including recruitment, induction and probation, training, sickness absence, equality diversity and inclusion, health and safety and communication as well as professional development, getting goals and KPIs and annual reviews.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships across the Company with a range of stakeholders including Executive, Management Group, Trade Unions and externally with agencies, e.g. HR Systems providers, recruitment agencies, legal advisors etc.

Person Specification

Head of People and Culture

Essential Criteria

• CIPD qualified or significant experience in a senior HR role.
• Proven experience in organisational development and driving culture change.
• Experience working in the arts & cultural sector and/or third sector.
• Excellent communication and relationship-management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across artistic, technical and administrative teams.
• Significant experience across key legal and regulatory frameworks, including employment law, Health and Safety, HMRC, GDPR and contract management and their practical application.
• Ability to lead and develop an effective and motivated team, ensuring that they consistently meet the desired level of performance.
• Proven commitment to embedding diversity, belonging, inclusion, and equality within organisational strategy, aligned with the company’s mission to eliminate barriers for marginalised communities within the cultural sector.
• Experience of and commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and sustainability in professional practice.
• A collaborative and supportive working style, with a commitment to team-based delivery.
• Right to work in the UK.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working with unions.
• Knowledge of theatre, opera and classical music.
• Welsh language skills or a willingness to learn and engage with the Welsh language and culture.
• Experience working with i-Trent

Terms & Conditions

• Salary: £60,000 per annum
• Contract Type: Permanent
• The position is 35 hours per week.
• Notice Period: 1 month
• Probationary Period: 6 months
• Location: Wales Millennium Centre, Bute Place, Cardiff CF10 5AL

Benefits

• 33 days annual leave days per annum (inclusive of 8 Welsh bank holidays), rising to 36 days after 5 years’ service
• Enhanced family leave policies
• Staff are provided with group life insurance cover equal to 3x their annual salary.
• Discounted parking at Q Park carpark in Cardiff Bay.
• Discounts in selected outlets in Cardiff Bay.
• We support colleagues who wish to learn or develop their Welsh language skills and offer optional Welsh lessons at both basic and improver levels.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Free, confidential counselling and advice for staff, freelancers, contractors, and their families.
• Pension scheme available after three months of employment (4% employer contribution / 4% employee contribution).

Reasonable Adjustments

WNO is committed to an accessible and inclusive recruitment process. If you need any adjustments to support your application or interview, please email recruitment@wno.org.uk. We are committed to supporting you at every stage of the process.

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted via the Welsh National Opera's Careers Portal located at: Welsh National Opera | WNO Careers

Deadline for Applications: Closing date for this application is 20th June 2026 at 23:59.

Pay: £60,000.00 per year

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Cardiff CF10