Victoria Kneafsey

Lead a multidisciplinary outsourced HR consultancy supporting clients from micro-businesses to large enterprises, delivering tailored solutions across full HR lifecycle.

• Stabilised internal operations by establishing clear roles, responsibilities, and pay structures, enhancing team efficiency and service delivery.
• Direct complex employee relations cases, advising senior leaders on sensitive matters including dispute resolution, policy development, and compliance with employment legislation.
• Negotiate and resolved workplace disputes, providing strategic guidance on industrial relations and organisational change including COT3 and settlement agreements.
• Lead in development of proactive HR policies, toolkits, and frameworks, ensuring alignment with best practice and evolving legal requirements.
• Partner with client leadership to implement organisational change initiatives, supporting restructuring and talent retention strategies.
• Delivered coaching to managers on employee relations, empowering line managers in day-to-day HR management.

Held full responsibility for HR Operations and Comps and Bens across four sites, (1500 employees) delivering global HR strategy while developing and implementing region-specific plans in partnership with site leadership.

• Managed department budget (2 million) and Chaired monthly Works Council and union meetings, fostering effective industrial relations and ensuring employee engagement. Led annual pay and terms and conditions negotiations.
• Led multiple complex organisational development and restructuring initiatives, including successful TUPE in of 300 employees and TUPE out of 50 employees to newly created joint venture.
• Directed critical regional projects within multi-site teams, including UK GDPR implementation, closure of UK final salary pension scheme, new HRIS and Time & Attendance systems deployment, and outsourcing of administrative tasks to third-party provider.
• Developed and launched comprehensive mental health program, incorporating manager training, holistic support routes, and awareness campaigns, resulting in measurable reductions in related absenteeism.
• Played key role in pandemic response team, managing furlough processes, remote working policies, and ensuring uninterrupted business operations.
• Acted as regional CSR ambassador, including chairing NEAA HR Forum, participating in Women in Automotive events, and establishing school engagement programs, including Work Discovery Week.

Led a team of eight HR professionals delivering end-to-end HR services, including recruitment, talent management, organisational development, employee relations, and culture initiatives.

• Managed key stakeholder relationships, including third-party providers for temporary labour and occupational health services.
• Developed and launched employee-led well-being and culture program, earning CIPD Award shortlist in 2018.
• Designed and implemented The Drive Programme, a first-line management training initiative rolled out to 90+ people leaders in collaboration with external partners.
• Delivered annual employee engagement surveys with 90% response rate, driving data-led improvements aligned with wage and terms & conditions negotiations through the "You Said, We Did" initiative.

Managed three HR Controllers, ensuring standardised and consistent HR practices across four sites.

• Developed HR Brilliant Basics package, streamlining policies and forms to enhance first-line management effectiveness; partnered with IT to launch an accessible internal intranet.
• Delivered senior leadership training to 30+ executive leaders as a DDI-accredited trainer, driving leadership capability and organisational alignment.

Partnered with site leadership to provide strategic HR support across all people-related matters.

• Managed high volume complex employee relations cases (10 plus a week) including absence management, capability exits, and employment tribunal proceedings.
• Chaired site Works Council and union meetings, fostering effective communication and positive industrial relations.
• Planned and executed recruitment processes, consistently achieving hiring targets within budget.

Provided full-spectrum HR support to 400 employees across all functions, partnering closely with the Senior Leadership Team.

• Led performance management, employee relations, recruitment, training, and local implementation of global HR strategy.
• Developed and implemented site-specific policies to enhance workforce effectiveness and compliance.
• Held responsibility for Health & Safety initiatives, driving the creation of a Safety First culture across the organisation.