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- Tasks: Lead the people strategy and build a high-performance culture for a growing international schools group.
- Company: Confidential, private equity-backed organisation transforming K-12 education across Europe.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape educational standards and career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Play a foundational role in launching new campuses and developing a scalable model.
- Why this job: Join at a formative stage and make a real impact on premium education.
- Qualifications: Experienced HR leader with a background in international, multi-site environments.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 ÂŁ per year.
Our client, a confidential, private equity-backed international schools group, is building a new benchmark in premium K-12 education across Europe. Backed by a leading global investor and supported by a highly prestigious British school brand, the organisation is entering a critical phase of expansion, with multiple campuses launching from 2027 and a clear ambition to scale to 10 - 15 schools across key European markets.
This is a rare opportunity to join at a formative stage and play a defining role in shaping the talent strategy and cultural foundations to support a high-growth, multi-country education platform. Reporting directly to the CEO, the HR Director will establish and lead the group’s people strategy, building the foundations required to support both initial school openings and long-term scale.
This is a true “build” role - designing the organisational model, creating the HR function from first principles, and embedding the frameworks, processes and culture that will underpin a premium, values-driven schools network. In the near term, the role will focus on supporting the successful launch of new campuses in Southern Europe, including the recruitment of founding teaching and leadership teams, while developing a repeatable and scalable model for future school openings.
Working closely with senior leadership, you will ensure that talent, culture, safeguarding and organisational capability are fully aligned to the group’s growth ambitions and educational standards.
- Define and deliver the group-wide people strategy, organisational design and HR infrastructure
- Lead international talent acquisition, building high-quality teaching and leadership teams
- Support new school openings, ensuring organisational readiness and developing a repeatable launch model
- Embed a high-performance, values-driven culture and effective performance frameworks
- Ensure robust safeguarding, compliance and governance across multiple jurisdictions
- Experienced HR leader operating at Director/CPO level within international, multi-site environments
- Track record of building or scaling HR functions in high-growth or complex organisations, ideally within K12 education, or similar regulated sectors
- Strong capability in talent, organisational design and leadership development
- Comfortable operating across jurisdictions, balancing central consistency with local requirements
This is an opportunity to play a foundational role in building a premium European schools platform, shaping the people strategy, culture and leadership capability that will define its long-term success.
Human Resources Director (HR) - International Schools Group (PE-Backed) in City of London employer: Spencer Group
Contact Detail:
Spencer Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Human Resources Director (HR) - International Schools Group (PE-Backed) in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the education sector, especially those with experience in international schools. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a personal brand on LinkedIn that highlights your HR experience in the academic sector. Share insights, articles, or even your thoughts on current trends in K-12 education to attract attention from recruiters.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by understanding the company’s vision and values. Be ready to discuss how your background aligns with their goals, especially in building a high-performance culture and supporting new school openings.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in the education sector. Your next big opportunity could be just a click away!
We think you need these skills to ace Human Resources Director (HR) - International Schools Group (PE-Backed) in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of HR Director. Highlight your experience in the academic sector and any successful school build-out projects you've been involved in. We want to see how your background aligns with our vision for premium K-12 education.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about shaping talent strategies in education. Share specific examples of how you've built HR functions or led teams in high-growth environments, especially in international settings.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: As an HR Director, your leadership style is crucial. In your application, give us a glimpse of how you foster a high-performance culture and align teams with organisational goals. We’re keen to know how you’ve developed talent and supported organisational readiness in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s a great way to show your enthusiasm for joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Spencer Group
✨Know Your Educational Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current trends and challenges in the K-12 education sector, especially in Europe. This will not only show your passion for the field but also demonstrate your understanding of the unique dynamics that come with building a premium schools network.
✨Showcase Your HR Expertise
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in establishing HR functions from scratch. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've designed organisational models or implemented talent acquisition strategies that align with growth ambitions, particularly in multi-site environments.
✨Emphasise Cultural Fit
This role is all about shaping the culture of a new educational platform. Think about how you can articulate your vision for a values-driven culture and provide examples of how you've successfully embedded such cultures in past roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Prepare to discuss how you would approach the launch of new campuses, ensuring organisational readiness while balancing central consistency with local needs. This will highlight your strategic thinking and adaptability.