Rachel Collier

Director of People Experience

Talent

GBMember since October 31, 2026

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About

Experienced HR leader with proven capability to deliver effective organisational learning, engagement and tangible results within open, inclusive cultures where people thrive. Commercially aware, quickly grasps critical requirements and shapes compelling strategies and coherent action and decision-making that drive high performance and desired people outcomes through others. Uses data for insight and deep understanding to advocate, develop high impact initiatives.

A forward-thinking self-starter and credible communicator, skilled at working with founders, boards, senior executives, managers, teams, clients, customers and partners in private and not for profit sectors. Collaborative in approach, co-ordinates across diverse interests and cuts through complexity with pragmatic solutions. Drives improvement through a positive, people-centric approach to delivering professional services.

Experience

Director of People Experience - IDP Education

(2018-12 - 2026-04)

Reporting to CEO IDP Partnerships, member of executive leadership team and global people leadership team, responsible for people strategy and operations, and for regional IT from 2023. IDP Education Ltd ASX listed, international, multi-site

Re-aligned people strategies with business direction post acquisition, set agenda, budget and KPIs to realise target capability and growth, increased engagement through culture of positive transformation and inclusion. Employee turnover reduced >50% YoY
Lead for region’s change programme people workstreams, integrated global teams in UK (TUPE), North America and APAC, including M&A, restructured roles and teams, aligned reward and benefit packages, L&D programmes
Achieved target delivery and rollout in six months of SAP Success Factors online performance system and compensation modules upgrade and annual REM review across UK, North America and APAC regions
Driving better candidate experiences, both internal and external through consistent, inclusive processes. Established use of ATS and expanded SAP recruitment and onboarding modules as core tool for hiring managers
Founder and member of Diversity Equity and Inclusion Board Committee. Delivered new DEI global policies and best practice improvements through global DEI programme, GDEIB benchmarking and new Employee Groups network
Introduced progressive initiatives, organisation talent review, succession planning, L&D framework, career progression pathways, Engagement surveys, New Ways of Working initiatives through COVID and subsequent business transformations including AI. Managed ISO27001 Security compliance.
Established long-term IDP Community Partnership with WONDER Foundation: Education for Women

Director of People - Investis

(2016-10 - 2018-09)

Reporting to CEO, member of executive leadership team, responsible for people agenda and direction, leading people/HR strategy and operations, UK owned, PE backed, international, multi-site

Set clear and responsive people strategies in line with budgets, growing talent and capability, achieved business objectives with purpose-led, culture-driven change and high engagement. Employee turnover decrease 30% YOY
Increased quality and depth of data insight for management and board with global engagement survey, reporting of people metrics, implementation of cloud-based, mobile-enabled HRIS
Developed and introduced high impact, competitive, low-cost re-alignment of employee comp and benefits, and peer recognition schemes for exceptional performers. Benchmarked and re-aligned people policies and practice across talent acquisition, talent and performance management, reward, global mobility and GDPR compliance
Delivered new induction and onboarding tailored training, new leadership programme
Made pro-active interventions in performance improvement and employee relations. Coached senior and mid-level leaders, raised managers’ capabilities, managed and reduced potential people risks

HR & OD Consultant, Coach

(2016-01 - 2016-10)

Designed and delivered team development and coaching programme for international client services team and global brand. Achieved team success KPIs
Executive coach for mid and senior management and business leaders for technology, finance and education sectors, creating a platform for performance improvement
Founder coach and member, KnowYouMore platform. Transforming people development delivering coaching at scale.

Chief Talent Officer/HR Director - iCrossing Ltd

(2012-05 - 2015-12)

Digital Agency acquired by Hearst. Reporting to CEO, member of executive leadership team, delivered effective people strategy, operations, pro-active change solutions and results. US owned, PE backed prior to acquisition, international, multi-site

Led and re-structured HR function and processes. Implemented recruitment ATS and talent acquisition strategies that resulted in increased direct talent pipeline and referrals, with shorter lead-times to fill roles, and increased quality. Reduced cost by >25%
Implemented L&D and talent frameworks, iX Academy (‘soft’, business and technical skills); leadership and management development, coaching and mentoring ensuring skilled workforce to meet business objectives, and a learning culture
Achieved Best Companies Sunday Times Top 100 Outstanding Award 2014, Top 10 Employer in Working Families Awards
Introduced innovative strengths-based approach that helped delivered fast-paced client-focus change programme and internal re-structure, with minimal disruption to business

Head of Operations - iCrossing Ltd

(2009-09 - 2012-04)

Reported to CEO, strategic management and operational oversight across international service delivery and people management, improving operational process and workflow, building partnerships, delivering growth and profitability.

Coached and mentored managers across full range of digital services: SEO, PPC, Display, Social Media, Creative, Research/Analytics and Project Management: delivering outstanding team performance and success for Operations team of 70+ staff; 10 direct reports
Achieved 27% increase in Customer Satisfaction Net Promoter rating 2007 - 2011
Grew UK Media business & Content business by >60%. Re-structured Operations to deliver target profitability

Head of Quality Assurance - iCrossing Ltd

(2007-01 - 2009-08)

Reported to Head of Operations, responsible for QA Strategy across the business and Project Management and QA services

Built Project Management team in the UK, led QA programme across client accounts
Implemented improvements in core methods and deliverables across the business
Led key systems project for integrated CRM/Accounting
Co-ordinated post-acquisition integration and alignment with US and Germany

Quality Manager - SEOS Ltd (now Collins Aerospace, Flight Simulation, R&D)

(2001-07 - 2007-12)

Reported to Managing Director, responsible for all aspects of Quality. Multi-site, US and UK.

Led Global Customer QA relationship management and Supplier Quality programme (UK, USA, Europe, Far East), Health and Safety risk assessment and Environmental System oversight.
Successfully gained and maintained accredited management systems to latest ISO9001: 2000 standard (2002), three sites in US and UK, moved QMS to Web into the business

Quality Czar, SW QA Manager - Riversoft Ltd

(2000 - 2001)