Interim Head of HR in Cheshire

Join Athena - Inspiring World-Class Education together! At Athena, we are a passionate and forward-looking educational organisation committed to providing world-class education and helping individuals lead great lives. Our core values of "Dream Big, Take Responsibility, and Be Kind" guide our mission to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment where everyone can excel and grow.

If you are passionate about our values and dedicated to making a meaningful impact on education, we invite you to apply. Please complete the application form on My New Term and tell us about how you connect with our values and what you feel you can contribute to our team and our goal to deliver world-class education.

Athena Learning Trust is a multi-academy trust with nine schools across Cornwall and Devon: three primary schools and six secondary schools, educating thousands of young people across two counties. Our shared service team sits at the heart of the trust, supporting schools to focus on what matters most: brilliant education. We are proud of what we have built and honest about the challenges we face. Right now, we are navigating a period of leadership transition and we need experienced, steady hands to help us keep the people function running well.

This is a fixed-term role, with the possibility of extension. We are looking for an experienced HR leader who can step in, quickly get to grips with a complex multi-site organisation, and provide the kind of calm, confident leadership that keeps a team and a function running well under pressure. You will lead a small, committed people and HR team covering HR advisory support, casework, and payroll across all nine schools. You will manage a live portfolio of casework, support school principals on day-to-day HR matters, and work closely with the CFOO and interim trust leader. You will also oversee a payroll transition as a returning member of staff moves back into the team on a phased basis. The role is primarily remote, but this is not a desk job. You will need to travel regularly to our schools in Cornwall and Devon, and you will need to be the kind of person who builds relationships easily and quickly, because trust is everything in HR.

What we are looking for:

• A senior HR professional with strong experience in employee relations, casework, and people leadership.
• CIPD level 5 or above, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience working across multiple sites or in a complex organisation.
• Someone who is calm, organised, and trusted by the people they work with.
• Comfortable working independently and managing your own priorities without close supervision.
• Experience working alongside or overseeing a payroll function.
• Experience in education is desirable but not essential.

What matters more is that you can learn quickly, adapt to a busy and sometimes unpredictable environment, and bring genuine expertise to a team that needs it.

What we offer:

• A competitive salary commensurate with your experience.
• A hybrid working pattern with flexibility in how and where you work.
• A committed and capable team around you.
• The chance to make a real difference to a trust that cares deeply about its staff and its schools.
• Mileage and expenses for travel to sites.

Athena Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. We are an equal opportunities employer.

Please note: This role is essential and as such we will be interviewing as suitable applicants apply. We reserve the right to close this role early should vacancies be filled before the closing date.