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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the people strategy and build a high-performance culture for new international schools.
- Company: Private equity-backed international schools group aiming to redefine K-12 education in Europe.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape educational excellence and career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Be part of a prestigious brand with ambitious expansion plans across Europe.
- Why this job: Join at a formative stage and make a real impact on the future of education.
- Qualifications: Experienced HR leader with a background in international, multi-site environments, preferably in K-12 education.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 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 Preston 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 Preston
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the education sector, especially those with experience in international schools. Attend relevant events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a personal brand on platforms like LinkedIn. Share insights about HR strategies in education, and engage with content related to school development. This will position you as a thought leader in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by understanding the company's vision and values. Be ready to discuss how your experience 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’ve got loads of opportunities that might just be the perfect fit for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Human Resources Director (HR) - International Schools Group (PE-Backed) in Preston
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 cultures and lead teams. We’re looking for values-driven leaders who can inspire and drive organisational effectiveness.
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 Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the international education sector, especially K-12. Brush up on the latest trends and challenges in this space, as well as the specific goals of the organisation. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role but also genuinely invested in their mission.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous successes in building HR functions, particularly in high-growth environments. Have specific examples ready that highlight your ability to scale teams and develop talent strategies. This is your chance to demonstrate how your background aligns perfectly with their needs.
✨Cultural Fit is Key
Understand the values and culture of the organisation. Be ready to articulate how you can contribute to a high-performance, values-driven culture. Share examples of how you've fostered similar environments in past roles, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the organisation's ambitions. Inquire about their vision for the new campuses and how they see the HR function evolving. This shows that you’re not only thinking about your fit but also about how you can help them achieve their goals.