At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR strategy and support regional schools in achieving their goals.
- Company: Join a dynamic organisation committed to educational excellence and employee wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion while driving positive change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on education and employee experience across diverse communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR, strong analytical skills, and a passion for people development.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
PURPOSE OF ROLE The Regional Head of HR is a strategic business partner to the regional team and schools. They ensure effective delivery of seamless HR guidance and support across their region in alignment with local cultural and legal contexts. Reporting to the Regional MD with a dotted line to the Group Head of People Operations and working closely with the DCLO and RLD, the position develops and delivers a regional people plan that aligns with ISP’s School of Choice, global people strategy and regional priorities, driving business goals and supporting school leadership teams. The role supports workforce planning, talent development, performance management and organisational design to ensure optimal staff engagement, operational excellence and continuous improvement.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- PARTNERSHIP WITH REGIONAL AND SCHOOL LEADERS: Partner with the Regional leadership team and Principals / Heads of School to ensure HR activities support the region’s growth and operational priorities. Provide insights on performance, talent management, skills gaps and development needs and succession planning to inform the region’s workforce planning and organisational design. Leverage Workday to track key HR metrics such as employee turnover, engagement, cost per hire, and training hours, transforming this data into actionable insights to inform and guide HR strategy decisions across the region. Provide expert guidance on complex employee relations matters such as grievances and disciplinary actions. Act as a trusted commercial and strategic HR advisor, ensuring people decisions support both educational outcomes and financial sustainability. Coach and influence senior leaders using a data‑led, pragmatic, and solutions‑focused HR approach.
- SYSTEMS, POLICIES AND PROCESSES: Drive high proficiency across all system process and capability requirements, promote end‑users engagement with Workday and ensure that HR and line managers are capable across the whole employee lifecycle. Act as the designated People data steward for the region, responsible and accountable for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, completeness, and compliance of all employee system data, including its timely maintenance and governance within HR systems. Ensure all HR processes and activities comply with local employment laws and ISP Group policies and are reviewed and updated promptly to reflect changes in legislation and best practices across the region. Collaborate with the ISP Central team on compensation, benefits and HRIS processes. Lead continuous improvement of HR processes to enhance efficiency, consistency, compliance, and employee experience across the region. Lead regional HR projects and change initiatives, ensuring timely delivery and sustainable adoption.
- SAFER RECRUITMENT AND TALENT ACQUISITION: Ensure a comprehensive approach to safer recruitment across the region, fully aligned to ISP standards and underpinned by a commitment to upskilling own knowledge and sharing learning and initiatives with the region and schools. Uphold high recruitment standards that are rigorous, professional and compliant with ISP guidelines and processes, thereby fostering a fair, transparent, and positive candidate experience at every stage of the hiring journey. Lead the regional implementation of ISP Group talent acquisition strategies and practices. Champion ethical, inclusive and fair recruitment practices, embedding diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging throughout the hiring lifecycle. Use recruitment data and workforce insights to continuously improve attraction, selection and retention outcomes.
- PERFORMANCE DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH: Drive best practice in performance management across the region, ensuring the performance review process is consistently implemented, with a focus on goal‑setting, continuous feedback and employee development. Collaborate with global and regional HR and L&I to implement core learning and development programs, ensuring alignment with business needs and creating a strong pipeline for talent development at all levels.
- RECOGNITION AND REWARD: Ensure that learning and performance impact is recognised and celebrated across the region. Stay informed on market salaries and reward practices to support benchmarking efforts for existing and new roles and collaborate with finance and leadership teams to execute the annual salary review process.
- TALENT MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT: Play a key role in the regional OMR talent review and succession planning process, working closely with senior leadership and Learning & Innovation colleagues to identify and develop top talent in line with ISP’s global approach, guiding, challenging and advising leaders as appropriate. Leverage data‑driven strategies and the Workday Talent Optimisation module to inform talent decisions, enabling internal mobility throughout the region and beyond and maintaining a regretted loss rate of under 5%. Drive the design and execution of tailored development initiatives, ensuring 100% of high‑performing and high‑potential employees have bespoke development plans documented in Workday, with ongoing line manager engagement and follow‑up.
- EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE AND CULTURE: Champion employee engagement by leading survey feedback discussions, facilitating collaborative action planning and promoting the sharing and celebration of local initiatives across the wider region and division. Promote ISP’s employer brand and purpose in the region, creating initiatives founded on feedback that improve the employee experience and drive physical and mental wellbeing. Foster a culture of belonging by embedding ISP’s DEIB commitment across the school, ensuring all employees feel respected, valued and included in the school community. Support new school onboarding, organisational change and transformation initiatives, ensuring alignment with business objectives whilst preserving and strengthening ISP’s employee experience and culture throughout periods of growth and transition. Actively promote cultural awareness and intercultural effectiveness across diverse school communities.
KEY SKILLS
- HR business partnering
- Commercial acumen
- People analytics
- Talent management
- Performance development
- Employee and labour relations
- Organisational design
- Change management
- Cultural awareness
- Diversity and Inclusion
- HR project management
- Coaching techniques
- Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS)
- Reward recognition
- Employee engagement
SAFEGUARDING PRINCIPLES ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing and retaining high‑performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio‑economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.
Regional Head of HR employer: International Schools Partnership
As the Regional Head of HR at ISP, you will join a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee engagement and professional growth. With a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, ISP offers comprehensive development opportunities and a supportive environment where your contributions directly impact educational outcomes and operational excellence. Located in a vibrant region, this role not only allows you to shape HR strategies but also fosters a sense of community and collaboration among passionate educators and leaders.
Contact Details:
International Schools Partnership Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Head of HR
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at International Schools Partnership!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at International Schools Partnership.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Head of HR
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at International Schools Partnership. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to International Schools Partnership and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at International Schools Partnership. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to International Schools Partnership's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at International Schools Partnership
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with International Schools Partnership.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at International Schools Partnership will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact International Schools Partnership and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
