Claire Le Grice CMHRNZ

What led you to a career in HR/the position that you are in currently?

After studying Psychology and deciding not to go the clinical route, I was working as an Office Manager and teaching Pilates. I realised I loved the parts of my role that involved recruiting and setting up people processes – the latter mostly because I’d forget what to tell new starters and needed to write it down! Passionate about both people and business, I discovered HR as a career pathway. I landed my first HR role through a conversation at an HRNZ event, applied, and the rest is history.

Part of what drew me to Skills was knowing they were working with Melissa Crawford on their people strategy. Melissa’s thinking on the future of work – combining tech with heart – really resonated. I’m also deeply passionate about learning and education, so joining a purpose-led organisation focused on maximising human potential felt like the perfect fit. 

What do you love about working in HR?

We spend so much of our lives at work, it is a no-brainer to me that this needs to be an uplifting experience. While the traditional views of HR focus on 'hire and fire', I see HR as a catalyst for transformation. I value the view we hold across the organisation to shape culture, capability and therefore commercial outcomes and stakeholders to nudge leaders and organisations on this. My lens is always people-first: Who is this going to affect, and how do we set them up to thrive? Whether it’s a new product, a process shift, or a full culture reset, I’m driven by making change work for people - not just on paper, but in real life.

Are there any specific highlights of your career that you wish to share?

Too many to list! I still keep in touch with my first HR manager, who showed me how dignity and openness, paired with commercial nous, earns you a seat at the table. I loved my time in London, stepping into my first leadership role with a team that was both ambitious and deeply human. I became a working mum while helping our founder launch Work Like a Woman, a manifesto on embracing less alpha, more empathy. Right now, I’m thriving in the AI Acceleration team at Skills—curious and energised by the future of work. What will it look like for my kids?

What are your thoughts on Chartered Membership? How do you feel about being a Chartered Member?

I am incredibly proud to be Chartered. Reflecting on the Domains of Knowledge and mapping my experience was both validating and energising. It gave me perspective on the work I’ve led – from org design to new recruitment systems to EVP development – and helped me see the impact these have on business performance and people experience.  

What motivated you to work towards becoming a Chartered Member?

Honestly, I hadn’t considered it until a mentor suggested it – I didn’t think I had the track record yet! But I’m always learning, and once I saw the opportunity, it felt good to back myself and tick it off. It gave me the confidence to see the value in what I’ve already done.

What are your next steps in terms of your career now that you are a Chartered Member?

Now that I’ve ticked off Chartered Membership (and will finish Level 1 & 2 te reo by the end of the year), I’ve been asking - what’s next? A few people have suggested board work, and it’s something I’m genuinely curious about. Chartered status has reminded me that I bring both depth and breadth, experience that adds real value in more senior, strategic spaces.

 At Skills, I lead our capability strategy, focused on building future-fit skills and a strong learning culture. It’s rewarding work that shapes how we grow talent across the vocational education sector, something I see as vital to Aotearoa’s future.

 I’m also starting to use my voice more – through writing, mentoring, and sometimes speaking – to help make HR feel more human, less transactional, and a whole lot more energising.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me off-screen, outdoors, and hanging with my husband and two awesome kids. I’m heading to the IPPA Congress in Brisbane this July to reconnect with my positive psych tribe, and hope to contribute more to that space in future.