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- Tasks: Lead HR strategy and support organisational performance in the education sector.
- Company: Values-driven education provider with a commitment to high-quality outcomes.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education HR and make a real impact across multiple sites.
- Qualifications: Significant HR experience in education and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity for autonomy and meaningful change in a respected organisation.
The predicted salary is between 64500 - 64500 £ per year.
WSR is recruiting for a Head of HR for our esteemed client in Milton Keynes.
Salary: Up to £64,500k DOE
Location: Milton Keynes, Fully site based
Working Hours: Monday Thursday 08:20 Friday 08:15
Role Type: Full time - Permanent
Are you an experienced HR leader within the education sector, ready to shape strategy at a senior level and make a lasting impact across a multi-site organisation? This is a rare opportunity to join a well-established and values-driven education provider, supporting multiple sites and a workforce of around 200 staff. With education at its core, this organisation is committed to delivering high-quality outcomes and creating an inclusive, supportive environment for both staff and learners.
Head of HR Role Overview:
As Head of HR, you will play a pivotal role in leading and delivering a people strategy that supports both organisational performance and educational excellence. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will work closely with senior leaders across multiple education settings providing strategic guidance while ensuring HR operations run smoothly and compliantly within a highly regulated sector. This is a broad, influential standalone position combining strategic leadership with hands-on delivery across all areas of HR.
Head of HR Responsibilities:
- Leading the development and implementation of a sector-specific People Strategy aligned with educational priorities
- Acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and board-level stakeholders on workforce planning, organisational design and change
- Driving staff engagement, retention and succession planning across multiple education sites
- Leading on complex employee relations cases within a unionised education environment
- Ensuring full compliance with safeguarding requirements, safer recruitment practices and current employment legislation
- Overseeing recruitment and onboarding processes in line with education sector standards
- Managing payroll processes and liaising with external providers
- Embedding equality, diversity and inclusion across the organisation
- Using HR data and workforce metrics to inform decision-making and continuous improvement
Head of HR Skills, Experience and Qualifications:
This role requires a strong understanding of the education landscape. You will be confident navigating its complexities, from safeguarding and compliance to sector-specific terms and conditions. We are looking for someone who brings:
- Significant senior HR experience within the education sector (essential) (may consider experience within public sector)
- Trade Union Experience preferred
- A strong track record of developing and delivering people strategies in schools, trusts or similar settings
- In-depth knowledge of safeguarding requirements and safer recruitment practices
- Strong understanding of education-specific frameworks, policies and employment conditions
- Experience managing complex HR casework in a unionised environment
- The ability to influence, challenge and support senior stakeholders
- A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach with excellent communication skills
- A CIPD Level 7 qualification (or working towards) is expected.
Why This Role?
This is a unique opportunity to step into a senior leadership role where your expertise in education HR will directly shape organisational success and support positive outcomes across multiple settings. You will have the autonomy to influence strategy, the scope to lead meaningful change, and the chance to be part of an organisation that genuinely values its people and their development. If you are ready to take the next step in your HR leadership career within education, this is an opportunity not to miss.
Please click APPLY NOW, or call the WSR Team for more info.
Head of HR in England employer: Working Solutions Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Working Solutions Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of HR in England
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the education sector! Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current HR leaders. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in developing people strategies and managing complex HR cases. Use real examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you’ve made an impact in similar settings.
✨Prepare for the Interview
Research the organisation thoroughly before your interview. Understand their values, mission, and the specific challenges they face in the education sector. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in the education sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of HR in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of HR role. Highlight your experience in the education sector and any relevant achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how your background makes you the perfect fit for this position!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about HR in the education sector and how you can contribute to our client's mission. Keep it engaging and personal, so we get a sense of who you are.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Head of HR, leadership is key. In your application, be sure to highlight specific examples of how you've led teams or initiatives in the past. We want to know how you can drive change and support staff engagement across multiple sites.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Working Solutions Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and challenges in the education sector. Understand the specific HR needs of educational institutions, especially around safeguarding and compliance. This will show that you're not just experienced but also genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare to discuss how you've developed and implemented people strategies in previous roles. Think about specific examples where your leadership made a difference. This is your chance to demonstrate your ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive organisational change.
✨Be Ready for Complex Scenarios
Expect questions about handling complex employee relations cases, especially in a unionised environment. Have a couple of real-life examples ready to illustrate your problem-solving skills and your pragmatic approach to HR challenges.
✨Emphasise Your Values
Since this organisation values inclusivity and support, be prepared to discuss how you've embedded these principles in your previous roles. Share your thoughts on equality, diversity, and inclusion, and how they can enhance the workplace culture in an educational setting.