Ailsa Whitehall
Manchester
Summary
Experienced HR professional with a strong track record in talent acquisition, strategic workforce planning, and organisational design. Adept at partnering with senior leadership to drive business growth through people strategy, employee engagement, and inclusive culture initiatives. Skilled in employee relations, employment law, compliance, and managing complex absence cases, underpinned by robust negotiation and conflict resolution capabilities. Proven success in leading strategic HR programs, optimising business operations, and delivering data-driven workforce solutions that enhance performance and agility. Knowledgeable about managing teams and driving business growth with a strong background in stakeholder management and strategic business partnering.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work history
HR People Partner to Stadium Operations and Everton in the Community
Everton Football Club Co Ltd
Liverpool
03.2019 - 07.2025
- Oversaw people operations for Everton Football Club and EitC, managing a peak headcount of over 900.
- Spearheaded strategic initiatives amid rapid growth from stadium construction and pandemic challenges.
- Developed comprehensive recruitment strategies for £800 million stadium project, securing top talent.
- Enhanced employee engagement through new grading structure, cultural surveys, and restructuring affecting over 140 staff.
- Executed talent acquisition strategies to position EitC as an employer of choice, recruiting for new leadership team.
- Facilitated organisational design planning over three years to support establishment of new stadium departments.
- Implemented robust performance management process, incorporating Professional Development Plans for employee growth.
- Guided EitC and Stadium Operations through due diligence processes related to Premier League regulations.
- Developed succession plans securing the future leadership of the organisation.
- Managed recruitment processes for successful team expansion.
- Partnered with senior leadership for strategic workforce planning, enabling company growth projections.
- Oversaw payroll and benefits administration to increase employee retention rate.
- Coordinated employee engagement surveys leading to improved morale and productivity.
- Supported grievance procedures, promoting a fair work environment.
- Facilitated training programs, resulting in better job performance.
- Fostered positive labour relations through transparent communication strategies.
- Led managers to deliver interventions and solutions consistently meeting workforce needs.
- Streamlined HR processes, helping to increase departmental efficiencies.
- Advised managers on compensation decisions based on benchmark data, job analysis and external competitiveness.
- Created succession plans and promotion paths for staff.
- Recruited, hired and trained new employees to optimise profitability.
- Advised line managers on correct disciplinary procedures for compliant issue resolution.
- Improved business HR policies by guiding and collaborating with managers.
- Used staff survey findings to implement enhanced working conditions and practices.
- Partnered with business leaders to align HR strategies with business objectives.
- Fostered a diverse and inclusive work environment through proactive initiatives.
- Launched wellness programs that improved overall staff wellbeing.
- Resolved employee grievances in a timely manner, maintaining morale and productivity.
People Advisor
Everton Football Club Co Ltd
Liverpool
03.2017 - 02.2019
- Provided expert advice on performance management, capability, and probation issues, including the development of performance improvement plans.
- Supported line managers through disciplinary processes, encompassing investigations and appeal hearings.
- Oversaw the recruitment process for departmental managers by liaising with job boards and career websites.
- Delivered comprehensive HR generalist support, including managing redundancies, change of hours consultations, maternity/paternity and adoption leave, flexible working requests, self-employed contracts, casual engagement terms, fixed-term contracts, TUPE processes, absence cases, long-term sickness, and settlement agreements.
- Facilitated effective calibration sessions with senior Heads of Department to ensure consistency and fairness in performance evaluations.
- Compiled and prepared monthly Establishment lists in collaboration with Heads of Department.
- Cultivated strong relationships with departmental managers and employees, promoting a collaborative work environment.
- Conducted monthly meetings with departmental managers to discuss ongoing HR matters.
- Managed four TUPE processes systematically to ensure compliance and smooth transitions.
- Assisted in the design and delivery of 20 Lunch and Learn sessions to promote continuous learning.
- Contributed to the design and execution of a new probation process to enhance employee onboarding.
- Addressed deficient performance issues collaboratively, ensuring effective management and resolution strategies.
- Participated in pay reviews and objective setting to align individual and departmental goals with organisational objectives.
- Provided support and guidance on work experience placements and volunteering opportunities.
- Engaged in the delivery of a recent Pulse survey, presenting outcome results to individual departments.
- Consulted with Occupational Health to make relevant referrals and support phased returns to work.
People Administrator
Everton Football Club Co Ltd
Liverpool
03.2015 - 02.2017
- Delivered comprehensive administrative support ensuring operational excellence.
- Provided office support and assisted with various HR projects, facilitating smooth HR operations.
- Supported large-scale recruitment campaigns, including casual steward recruitment involving over 600 candidates.
HR Assistant
Sainsburys Supermarket PLC
Liverpool
06.2013 - 07.2015
- Led comprehensive market research initiatives for informed decision-making capabilities.
- Organised ongoing training sessions to enhance employees' professional development.
- Conducted exit interviews to gather feedback from departing employees for organisational improvements.
- Directed effective cost control measures, leading to substantial financial savings for the firm.
- Compiled data for detailed personnel records, ensuring legal compliance.
HR Development Intern – 1 year in Industry placement
Sainsburys Supermarkets PLC
Macclesfield
08.2012 - 07.2013
- Shadowed and provided support to the HR Manager across multiple stores in the Cheshire region (Macclesfield, Wilmslow, and Cheadle Hulme), gaining practical experience and confidence across all HR functions aligned with the HR for Practitioners university course.
- Delivered exceptional administrative support to senior executives during peak business periods.
Sales Assistant
All Saints Clothing Store
Manchester
11.2012 - 02.2013
Education
HR Management (Level 7) - HR Management (Level 7)
Liverpool John Moores University
01.2018 - 01.2021
CIPD Business Partnering Qualification - CIPD Business Partnering Qualification
CIPD
01.2023 - 06.2024
HR Management (Level 5) - HR Management (Level 5)
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool 09.2010 - 05.2013
Skills
- Talent Acquisition
- Organisational design
- Employee Relations
- Strategic people planning
- Employee Engagement
- Employment Law
- People Management
- Complex sickness/absence case management
- WorkDay
- Brightmine
- Willis Towers Watson
- Croner
- Project Management
- Influential communicator
- Data analysis
- Complex absence case management
- Stakeholder Management
- Performance Management
- Mental Health Champion
- Strategic HR
- Employment law compliance
- TUPE management
- Succession planning
- Influential communicator
- Data analysis
- Grievance resolution
- Dispute mediation
- Labour law knowledge
Hobbies and Interests
Travelling, Cooking, Running
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
CIPD Business Partnering Qualification - CIPD Business Partnering Qualification
CIPD
01.2023 - 06.2024
HR People Partner to Stadium Operations and Everton in the Community
Everton Football Club Co Ltd
03.2019 - 07.2025
HR Management (Level 7) - HR Management (Level 7)
Liverpool John Moores University
01.2018 - 01.2021
People Advisor
Everton Football Club Co Ltd
03.2017 - 02.2019
People Administrator
Everton Football Club Co Ltd
03.2015 - 02.2017
HR Assistant
Sainsburys Supermarket PLC
06.2013 - 07.2015
Sales Assistant
All Saints Clothing Store
11.2012 - 02.2013
HR Development Intern – 1 year in Industry placement
Sainsburys Supermarkets PLC
08.2012 - 07.2013
HR Management (Level 5) - HR Management (Level 5)
Liverpool John Moores University
09.2010 - 05.2013
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