Head of People and Culture

37 hours per week, all year round

We are a growing Multi-Academy Trust, committed to delivering exceptional education through our values of ‘Aiming High’, ‘Being Inclusive’ and ‘Working together.’ With 9 academies under our wing and with a unique blend of primary, secondary and special/AP settings, we are shaping the future of young minds and investing in the development of our dedicated staff. We believe that our people are at the heart of everything we do, and creating an empowering, inclusive, and high-performance culture is crucial to achieving our strategic objectives.

We are looking for a dynamic and strategic Head of People and Culture to lead and shape our Trust’s people strategy. This pivotal role will be instrumental in fostering a thriving organisational culture, ensuring that all staff feel valued, supported, and motivated to perform at their best. You will work closely with the Executive team and school leadership to champion best practices, attract top talent, and nurture the professional development of our workforce.

 In this role, you will report directly to the Chief Operating Officer and play a crucial role in promoting the development of an employee-oriented positive company culture.

Key responsibilities:

• Drive our ambition to make Maiden Erlegh Trust the ‘Employer of Choice.’
• Develop and implement a Trust-wide people strategy aligned with our vision, values, and growth plans.
• Optimise use of technology, data and digital analytics to enable a high-performance organisation and work culture.
• Shape and promote an inclusive, collaborative culture that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion across the Trust.
• Lead on all aspects of HR management, including talent acquisition, employee engagement, performance management, and well-being.
• Provide an excellent HR service to all schools within our Trust, including expert advice and support to managers on all employment relations issues.
• Collaborate with school leaders to build a culture of excellence, ensuring that high standards of teaching, learning, and support are maintained.
• Ensure compliance with employment law, safeguarding policies, and Trust-wide procedures.
• Provide data-informed, strategic advice and support to the Executive team on workforce planning, leadership development, and organisational change.

Who we're looking for:

• Proven experience in a senior HR role with a focus on people management and culture development, ideally within the education or public sector.
• Strong knowledge of HR best practices, employment law, and diversity and inclusion strategies.
• Exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to influence and inspire across all levels of the organisation.
• A track record of fostering a positive organisational culture and delivering strategic people initiatives.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a passion for developing others.
• CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent is highly desirable.

The role is hybrid but will require frequent travel to our Shared Services site and to schools within the Trust, the postholder will therefore need to hold a full driving license and have use of a car.

About the Trust: 

Maiden Erlegh Trust is committed to developing a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative community of highly effective schools that deliver excellent education opportunities for the children and young people of the communities we serve.  Through our work we will ensure that our children are equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to deal with the demands of an ever-changing world. The Trust currently comprises eight schools in the local area, with a variety of settings including primary, secondary, special and a PRU.  As a Trust, we encourage professional development at all levels through the use of cross Trust networks to share best practice and ideas.  We also actively encourage the promotion of staff to different roles within the Trust and to different settings in line with their career aspirations.  Click Work @ Maiden Erlegh Trust to find out more information about why you should work for Maiden Erlegh Trust and to read testimonials from existing staff. 

Benefits: 

Further information about some of the staff benefits that Maiden Erlegh Trust offers its employees, can be found on our website.

Staff Wellbeing is very important to us.  As a staff member of Maiden Erlegh Trust these are just some of the examples of how we show our appreciation to staff. 

• We operate a system of ‘ME days’ allowing staff to request an additional day off per year to attend special events such as children’s sports days and graduations, family and friends' weddings. 
• CPD is available for all staff at all levels. 
• Free flu vaccinations are offered to all staff. 
• Free eye tests are provided for eligible staff. 
• Breakfast and lunch provided for staff regularly, including on many INSET days and as a thank you throughout the year. 

If you believe that this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and substantially contribute to an exciting future for our students, then you are encouraged to explore further by contacting recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for a more detailed discussion, if required.  

If you would like to have an informal chat with our hiring manager about this post, please email recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org 

Closing date: 9am, 15 November 2024.

Interviews: To be confirmed.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible as the Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint before the closing date.

 We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.