School Strategic Lead for Human Resources

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic HR Leadership: Develop and implement the federation's HR strategy, aligning people management with organisational priorities and educational objectives.
• Employee Relations: Provide expert advice to senior leaders on complex employee relations matters, employment law, disciplinary procedures, grievances and policy interpretation.
• Team Management: Directly line-manage four Senior Administrative Officers, providing leadership, guidance and support to ensure an effective HR service.
• Recruitment and Retention: Oversee recruitment, safer recruitment processes, onboarding and strategies to attract and retain high-quality staff.
• Policies and Compliance: Ensure HR policies remain up to date and comply with current employment legislation and relevant education sector requirements.
• Staff Wellbeing and Culture: Support initiatives that promote positive working relationships, staff engagement and a supportive workplace culture.
• Senior Leadership Partnership: Act as a trusted adviser to school leaders, providing strategic guidance on workforce planning and people-related decisions.

What We're Looking For

• Significant experience in a senior HR leadership role, ideally at Head of HR, HR Director or equivalent level.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, employee relations and HR policy development.
• Experience leading teams and advising senior stakeholders on complex people management matters.
• A proven ability to develop and implement effective HR strategies, recruitment processes and workforce initiatives.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across diverse teams.
• Previous experience within schools, academies or a multi-school trust is highly desirable, although experienced corporate HR professionals with transferable skills are encouraged to apply.
• CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 qualification, or equivalent professional experience, is preferred.

Why Apply?

• Competitive daily rate: 250- 260 per day during the temporary period.
• Permanent career opportunity: Progress into a permanent position paying 54,000- 56,000 per annum.
• Strategic influence: Shape HR practices and contribute to the long-term success of a primary school federation.
• Leadership responsibility: Manage a team of four Senior Administrative Officers and work directly with senior school leaders.
• Immediate start: An opportunity to make an impact from the outset.