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- Tasks: Lead the people strategy and enhance employee experience across a diverse education group.
- Company: Access Education Group, a creative and ambitious education provider.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus opportunities, 35 days leave, hybrid working, and health benefits.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education while supporting passionate colleagues in their careers.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR, education, and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant impact in a dynamic, multi-site environment.
The predicted salary is between 86000 - 115000 £ per year.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the people agenda for an education group that is creative, ambitious and genuinely purposeful. Access Education Group brings together a portfolio of specialist education businesses delivering further education, higher education and apprenticeships across the UK. From creative and digital disciplines to sport and music, our work helps young people turn passion into skills, confidence and careers.
We are now looking for an experienced Director of People to lead the next chapter of our people function.
Why this role matters:
Across the Group, around 450 colleagues work across multiple sites, disciplines and delivery models. They are teachers, coaches, practitioners and support teams who care deeply about the learners they work with and the industries they serve. As the organisation continues to grow and evolve, we want our people practices to evolve with it. This role exists to make that happen.
Reporting directly to the CEO, you will play a pivotal role in shaping culture, strengthening leadership capability and ensuring colleagues are supported by clear systems, strong safeguarding and professional people practices. You will be both a strategic partner and a hands-on leader, helping the business move forward with confidence and care.
What you will be part of:
You will work across a diverse education group that includes:
- Further education provision in creative and digital disciplines
- Sport-focused education, including football pathways
- Higher education in music performance and production
- Apprenticeships aligned to the creative industries
Each part of the Group has its own identity and leadership, which makes this role interesting, varied and influential. You will help create consistency where it matters, while respecting what makes each part of the organisation unique.
What you will be doing:
- Partnering closely with the CEO and senior leaders to shape and deliver a clear, people-centred strategy
- Leading the development of people systems, workflows and policies that are fit for purpose and easy to use
- Ensuring safeguarding and safer recruitment practices are robust, consistent and trusted
- Supporting leaders to manage performance with confidence, fairness and humanity
- Improving onboarding so new colleagues feel welcomed, supported and set up for success
- Strengthening communication, engagement and retention across a dispersed workforce
- Leading and developing a small people team so they can focus on proactive, high-quality support
Requirements:
You will be a communicative, independent and emotionally resilient leader, comfortable working at pace in a role that will continue to evolve. You will thrive in complex, multi-site environments and bring calm judgement, credibility and a practical mindset to everything you do. You will have the confidence to influence at the highest level, balanced with the empathy to support people doing demanding, meaningful work. Experience in education, training or similarly regulated sectors is a strong advantage, as is experience improving HR systems and workflows. Above all, you will believe in the link between well-supported colleagues and great outcomes for learners. You will hold CIPD Level 5 or above, or equivalent.
If you are looking for a director-level role where you can build strong foundations, support passionate people and help shape the future of creative education, we would love to hear from you.
The recruitment process will include assessments, a screening interview and a panel interview. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The closing date for applicants is 12th March 2026.
Benefits:
- 10% on target bonus depending on Group and Personal performance, details will be shared upon start
- 35 days annual leave plus UK bank holidays
- Hybrid working
- Employee discounts through internal benefits platform
- Health Cash Plan through Westfield Health
- Doctorline GP Service
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Enhanced Maternity, Paternity benefits and Sick Pay
- Auto Enrolment Pension Scheme
This post is subject to Enhanced DBS clearance. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory Enhanced DBS clearance, and all required references have been received and verified.
Director of People in Manchester employer: Thomas International
Contact Detail:
Thomas International Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of People in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Director of People role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company culture and values. Access Education Group is all about creativity and purpose, so think about how your experience aligns with their mission and be ready to share specific examples.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You want to come across as confident and passionate about shaping people practices. Rehearse how you'll communicate your vision for the role and how you can contribute to the growth of the organisation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team at Access Education Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of People in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Director of People role. Highlight your experience in shaping people strategies and how it aligns with our mission at Access Education Group.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: We want to see how you lead and support teams. Share examples of how you've influenced culture and improved HR systems in previous roles, especially in education or similar sectors.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value emotional resilience and a communicative approach, so don’t hesitate to share your unique perspective on supporting colleagues.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thomas International
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Access Education Group's mission and values. Understand their unique approach to education and how they support their colleagues. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Director of People, your leadership style is crucial. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've shaped culture and supported teams in previous roles. Highlight your ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on support.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in complex environments. Think about past challenges you've faced in HR or people management and how you navigated them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Engage with Empathy
Demonstrate your emotional intelligence during the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve supported colleagues through change and how you ensure their voices are heard. This role is all about people, so showing genuine care will set you apart.