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- Tasks: Lead HR and professional development, ensuring a people-first culture at Hull College.
- Company: Hull College is a leading vocational institute focused on creating careers for learners.
- Benefits: Enjoy 37 days of annual leave, a competitive salary, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team dedicated to staff wellbeing and career progression in education.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 7 and significant senior HR leadership experience required.
- Other info: This role involves safeguarding responsibilities and requires an enhanced disclosure check.
The predicted salary is between 52847 - 60945 £ per year.
Director of HR and Professional Development
Location: Hull
Working Hours: 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year
Salary: £52,847 – £60,945 FTE per annum
Annual Leave: 37 days per annum (excluding bank holidays and up to 3 additional discretionary days over the Christmas/New Year period)
As our Director of HR and Professional Development, you will be responsible for the strategic leadership and operational delivery of all people‑related services at Hull College. This role champions a people‑first culture built on trust, accountability, continuous improvement, and staff wellbeing.
The post holder will lead an evolving and impactful HR team to deliver efficient services and foster a culture where staff feel valued, empowered, and supported. The postholder also leads the design and delivery of a college‑wide continuing professional development (CPD) strategy that supports career progression, leadership development, and organisational capability. This includes maximising the apprenticeship levy and external funding and ensuring the effective use of integrated HR systems and workforce data.
Hull College provides high‑quality education & training for school leavers & adults, offering a wide range of vocational study programmes, Apprenticeships & degrees.
As one of the largest vocational institutes of its kind in the region, we have one focus – to create careers, not courses. We pride ourselves on this approach & are committed to ensuring our learners acquire the relevant skills, knowledge, attitudes & experience to progress in life, whether that is to seek employment in the industry of their choice or step up to higher education & university.
While dedicated to delivering the very best experiences to our learners, we also extend the same commitment to our staff. We have worked hard to create an environment where all of our staff, no matter what their role, are empowered to inspire & support our vision to create better futures for the people of Hull.
Responsibilities of our Director of HR and Professional Development
- Provide visible, values‑led leadership to the HR team, promoting professionalism, collaboration, and service excellence.
- Actively contribute to the Senior Management Team, influencing the strategic direction and people agenda of the College.
- Develop and implement people strategies covering recruitment, CPD, organisational development, engagement, reward, talent management, wellbeing, and digital HR systems.
- Oversee consistent and efficient HR services across the employee lifecycle: attraction, recruitment, onboarding, performance, wellbeing, and offboarding.
- Provide expert advice on employment law, HR policies, and compliance.
- Lead the development and routine review of HR policies and procedures, ensuring audit readiness and legislative compliance.
- Lead the College‑wide CPD strategy aligned with strategic goals and the Annual Operational Plan.
- Coordinate five CPD days annually and deliver a varied, multi‑channel development offer focused on digital, technical, and leadership capabilities.
- Use workforce data and digital tools to inform resourcing decisions and improve the candidate experience.
- Manage the HR budget and oversee real‑time workforce data including all employment types and associated costs.
What we’re looking for in our Director of Human Resources and Professional Development
- Chartered Member or Fellow of the CIPD (Level 7)
- Significant senior HR leadership experience, ideally within the Further Education sector
- In‑depth knowledge of UK employment law, safeguarding, and HR compliance frameworks
- Demonstrated experience in CPD and L&D programme design and delivery
- Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and influencing skills
- Resilient, values‑led, and confident in navigating complexity and change
If you have the skills and experience, we are looking for and would like to join us as our Human Resources and Professional Development. Please click ‘Apply’ now – we’d love to hear from you!
Hull College is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All colleagues are expected to contribute to the delivery of their safeguarding strategy and values. In addition, these posts require the colleague to undertake an enhanced disclosure check by the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Please note that this post is subject to regulated activity.
We at Hull College prioritise digital proficiency; all new staff should either be skilled or open to training, looking forward to hearing from you on the last point.
Please be aware that this vacancy may close earlier dependent on the level of applications received, so if you do wish to be considered we recommend that you complete the application as promptly as possible.
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Director of HR and Professional Development employer: Hull College
Contact Detail:
Hull College Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of HR and Professional Development
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Hull College's values and mission. Understanding their commitment to a people-first culture will help you align your leadership style with their expectations, showcasing how you can contribute to their vision.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Hull College, especially those in HR roles. They can provide insights into the organisational culture and specific challenges the college faces, which you can address in your discussions during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with CPD and L&D programme design. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully implemented strategies that improved staff development and engagement, as this is a key responsibility of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current UK employment law and HR compliance frameworks. Being able to demonstrate your knowledge in these areas during interviews will show that you're well-prepared to handle the legal aspects of the role effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of HR and Professional Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your senior HR leadership experience, particularly in the Further Education sector. Emphasise your knowledge of UK employment law and any relevant qualifications, such as being a Chartered Member or Fellow of the CIPD.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, demonstrate your understanding of Hull College's mission and values. Discuss how your leadership style aligns with their people-first culture and provide examples of how you've successfully implemented CPD strategies in previous roles.
Showcase Relevant Achievements: Include specific examples of your achievements in HR, such as successful recruitment campaigns, development of training programmes, or improvements in employee engagement. Use metrics where possible to quantify your impact.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread your documents for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for a leadership role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hull College
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Director of HR, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership style during the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you promote professionalism and collaboration within a team, and share specific examples of how you've led teams to success in the past.
✨Understand the College's Values
Hull College prides itself on a people-first culture. Familiarise yourself with their values and be ready to explain how your personal values align with theirs. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the organisation's culture.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Expect questions about your experience in developing and implementing people strategies. Be ready to discuss how you've influenced strategic direction in previous roles, particularly in areas like recruitment, CPD, and employee engagement.
✨Demonstrate Knowledge of Employment Law
Given the importance of compliance in this role, brush up on UK employment law and HR policies. Be prepared to provide insights on how you've ensured compliance in past positions and how you would approach this at Hull College.
