Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the people strategy and build a high-performance culture for a premium education platform.
- Company: Confidential, private equity-backed international schools group with ambitious growth plans.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape the future of education and work in a dynamic, multi-country environment.
- Other info: Play a foundational role in building a values-driven schools network with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Join at a formative stage and make a real impact on K-12 education across Europe.
- Qualifications: Experienced HR leader with a background in international, multi-site environments, preferably in K-12 education.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 ÂŁ per year.
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer
Location: UK or EU based
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.
The Opportunity
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.
Key Accountabilities
- 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
- Partner with senior leadership to drive organisational effectiveness and growth
Profile
- 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
- Commercially aware, hands-on and credible at senior stakeholder level
- A values-driven leader with a genuine commitment to education and organisational excellence
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 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 London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the education sector, especially those with experience in international schools. A personal introduction can make all the difference when you're aiming for a high-level role like HR Director.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by understanding the company's vision and values. Since this role is about shaping culture, be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission to build a premium K-12 education platform.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your strategic thinking! Be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully built or scaled HR functions in previous roles. This will demonstrate your capability to lead the people strategy for their ambitious growth plans.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Human Resources Director (HR) - International Schools Group (PE-Backed) in 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 building HR functions and working in the education sector. 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 tell us why you're passionate about shaping talent strategies in education. Share specific examples of your past successes in similar roles, especially in high-growth environments.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: As an HR Director, your leadership style matters. In your application, give us a glimpse into how you build culture and drive performance. We’re looking for values-driven leaders who can inspire teams across multiple jurisdictions.
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 any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
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 help you demonstrate your understanding of the market and how it impacts HR strategies during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Build Experience
Prepare specific examples of your past experiences where you've successfully built or scaled HR functions. Highlight how you designed organisational models and embedded cultures in previous roles, as this aligns perfectly with what the company is looking for.
✨Align with Their Values
Research the company's values and mission. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to fostering a high-performance, values-driven culture within their schools.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in multi-jurisdictional environments. Think about how you would handle challenges related to talent acquisition and compliance across different countries, and be ready to share your thought process.