Paul Gaskin, HR director of BBC North, who has been with the organisation for seven months and earns a salary of £190,000, left the BBC on 30 July.
Lucy Adams, director of BBC people, said: "It is with regret that I have to let you know that PaulGaskin has made the very difficult decision to leave the BBC at the end of [July].
"Unforeseen family circumstances mean Paul is now unable to relocate to Salford and he felt it would be unfair to continue in his role knowing that he could not commit to being part of the future North team."
Ken Lee will replace Gaskill in heading up the North HR team.
Responding to reports in The Mail on Sunday that Gaskin had admitted his departure was an embarrassment to the BBC, a spokeswoman from the broadcaster said these comments were " not accurate".
