Head of HR in Newent

Interim (minimum 3 months) £65,000-£70,000 Office based Must be available within 4 weeks. HR Recruit is seeking an experienced HR professional to support our client in the education sector. This role is initially offered as a three-month contract, with a strong likelihood of extension. Reporting directly to the Chief People Officer, you will lead and be accountable for a small team of HR professionals. The Head of People will provide strategic and operational leadership across the HR/People function to ensure the organisation attracts, retains and develops high-quality staff.

Role Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop the HR/People team to deliver responsive, professional and customer focused services to all areas of the organisation.
• Oversee the effective and efficient delivery of policies and processes for recruitment and performance management, employment relations, application of good employment practice, staff restructuring, and complex staff casework.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the People Strategy.
• Ensure HR performance indicators are in place, accurately monitored and reported against targets together with the development of a People Operational Plan.
• Working in partnership with academic and professional service leads, enhance our approach to leadership to ensure that it fully aligns with our values and desired organisational culture.
• Ensure our total reward approach including staff recognition, reward and benefits aligns with our strategic ambition.
• Champion and embed EDI across all aspects of HR policy, recruitment and employee development.
• Produce the annual EDI report and contribute to relevant reporting and action plans to support EDI objectives.
• Promote and embed a culture which values employee wellbeing and the importance of individual and organisational wellbeing by being a member of the Mental Health and Resilience Steering group, leading on staff wellbeing initiatives.
• Oversee HR reporting, data analysis, and compliance with audit and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure full compliance with safeguarding policies and procedures in all HR processes, particularly in recruitment and onboarding.
• Implement changes and business process improvements to the HR service, adopting digital solutions where possible and identifying opportunities to deliver increased efficiency for the benefit of the business and to meet customer requirements.

Person Specification

• Significant Human Resources experience, ideally within education or similarly complex, regulated environment.
• Experience of developing and delivering a HR vision and strategies in support of organisational objectives.
• Experience of managing a HR team to achieve targets.
• Strong working knowledge of employment legislation and best practice to ensure a pragmatic and common-sense approach to issues.
• Demonstrable experience of providing advice and guidance to managers and employees on the whole spectrum of HR matters, including complex case work and appropriate investigations.
• An ability to analyse, summarise, evaluate and communicate complex data.
• Ability to use initiative and be innovative in resolving issues.

In return, you will receive a salary of between £65,000-£70,000 inc 30 days holiday (plus bank holidays) and excellent pension and benefits. This role would suit an experienced Head of HR or an HR Manager looking for their next step.