Director of People

Director of People

Holiday Entitlement – 35 days plus statutory bank holidays

37 hours per week – to be worked flexibly over 5 days

Reports to: CEO

Purpose of the Role:

To support the Chief Executive Officer and to work collaboratively with the Trust Executive Leadership Team in the effective delivery of the Trust’s Strategy, having overall responsibility for and leading on all strategic People and HR management and development and driving key HR projects and priorities. 

-To be an active member of the Trust’s Executive Leadership Team, along with all Headteachers in the Trust, to drive change and continuous improvement.

-To act as a source of trusted professional advice to senior leaders and managers on all HR matters, to ensure best practice standards are met and are legally compliant and are in line with educational policy.

-To be responsible for the effective delivery of a comprehensive and cost-effective HR service, including the continuous improvement of HR operations through service re-design and engaging with new technology.

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic planning and leadership

The Director of People will be accountable for developing and implementing a HR strategy that serves the Trust’s current needs and supports its future development

-Work collaboratively with the Chief Financial Officer and Director of Education on an effective use of HR budget in line with vision and strategy.

-Develop and implement Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning (ICFP) throughout all schools, and lead on workforce planning, advising senior leadership teams accordingly.

-Oversight of the provision of professional and confidential HR support, advice and guidance, including providing developmental support and coaching in all aspects of HR to senior and middle leaders within the Trust, to develop capabilities and manage the application of Trust policies and procedures.

-Ensure that relevant legislative and educational employment knowledge is kept up to date within the Trust, advising on the interpretation and implementation of changes to ensure that all policies and procedures are up to date and legally compliant.

-Ensure the Trust is compliant with equality legislation, in terms of arrangements for pay and conditions across the Trust, giving professional recommendations and implementing action plans to address any inconsistencies in approach.

-Maintain and analyse HR metrics and present trends, key performance indicators and workforce information to school/trust leaders and trustees to inform organisation decisions and influence change.

-Produce a comprehensive termly HR report and overview file for the Finance, HR and Premises Committee and attend all meetings.

-Establish and lead on working collaboratively with all Joint Consultative and Negotiation Committee (JCNC) trade union representatives, ensuring professional and proactive dialogue at all times and leading on negotiation and consultative practices.

-Establish a suite of policies, practices and initiatives which will promote employee wellbeing, support excellent mental health, embrace diversity and inclusion and foster practices that become values which are embedded within the Trust.

-Develop and deliver regular communication strategies to all Trust staff keeping staff informed of new initiatives and updates to policy and practice.

-Develop and implement an effective mechanism for workforce planning to ensure that the Trust’s recruitment and retention needs are addressed proactively, developing career pathways and ensuring access to training and CPD across the Trust to enable effective succession planning.

-Lead on developments in Trust wide reward and recognition.

-Liaise with senior leaders, advising and leading on change management processes as required, such as TUPE and restructures.

-Lead on the development of a new HR Information System, seeking improvements in efficient and automated HR processes/workflows and improved visibility of HR data.

-Lead on HR support for the process of schools joining the Trust; ensuring robust due diligence is in place and leading on communications with staff.

-Lead on the management of harmonisation of terms and conditions across the Trust, as required.

-Represent the Trust and develop and maintain strong working/networking relationships with relevant external organisations.

HR service management and delivery

The Director of People will be accountable for managing the Trust’s HR resources and for overseeing the delivery of a high-quality HR service, directing School Office Managers and Administrators in all the schools on all aspects of HR.

-Provide line management support and coaching to the HR team, who are the first point of contact for all HR queries on a broad range of employee relations matters, including, but not limited to; sickness absence, capability, redundancy, discipline and grievance; taking the lead on investigating and advising on complex employment and safeguarding issues, as required.

-Over see and lead all payroll operations to ensure a robust, timely delivery of our payroll processes and adherence to all required compliance for pensions, HMRC, employment law, Charity Law, and anything else that is required by law/legislation

-Through line management of the HR Team, ensure consistency across the trust in the employment lifecycle, ensuring the Trust attracts and retains great staff to secure the best outcomes for students.

-To authorise all vacancy requests and contract amendments, ensuring structures are fit for purpose.

-Be fully active in all senior leadership recruitment across the Trust to ensure a robust process is adhered to.

-Develop and ensure the appropriate consistent delivery of HR policy, systems and processes across the Trust, such as induction, probation, performance management and sickness absence.

-Design and deliver training and development for senior and middle leaders in HR policy and procedure, supporting effective leadership.

-Promote and manage the apprenticeship levy across the trust, enabling CPD for the benefit of both new and existing staff.

-Ensure that HR record keeping is accurate and compliant across the Trust.

-Take the lead role in the delivery of service level agreements, which support the HR service, including legal support, employee welfare and occupational health, ensuring value for money.

-Lead the completion of statutory HR returns on behalf of the Trust including, Gender Pay Gap, Trade Union Facilities Time, School Workforce Census, Public Sector Target Report.

-Promote and implement the Trust’s Workforce Equality Policy in all aspects of HR practice.

-Responsible for the appointment and performance management of members of the HR Team.

-Develop and implement a long-term strategic plan for HR in line with strategic aims and the Trust’s vision.

-Visit Trust schools on a regular basis, to build and maintain effective working relationships and to continue to provide an outstanding HR service.

Professional Development

-Keep abreast of best practice, legislative changes and new developments to continuously develop and improve knowledge and skills and broaden understanding.

-Help keep knowledge and understanding relevant and up-to-date by reflecting on your own practice, liaising with Trust leaders, and identifying relevant professional development to improve personal effectiveness.

-Take opportunities to build the appropriate skills, qualifications, and/or experience needed for the role, with support from the Trust.