We are looking to appoint a qualified and highly experienced HR professional as our Director of People. This is a newly created post as part of the Head Office Central Team and will support the CEO and wider senior management team on all HR and People matters. The successful post holder will be responsible for developing our HR/People strategy and evolving our culture, vision and values.

About Us 

The Harris Federation is a leading education charity with 50 Harris primary and secondary academies across London and Essex. The founder, Chairman and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We now educate some 38,000 young people and closing the gap between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers has always been a core mission. 

The Harris Federation has a track record of accomplishment in achieving success through rapid school improvement, and has built an unrivalled reputation for running outstanding academies in London. 

What we are looking for

We have created the brand new position of Director of People, and we are interested to hear from experienced and accomplished HR professionals who understand the importance of education and developing talent. The position requires an individual who can both work strategically and take a hands-on, practical and action-oriented approach. Based in our East Croydon head office, you will work closely with fellow Directors and the wider management team to develop our people strategy, promote our values, and help shape our culture. We are ideally looking for individuals who have experience within the Multi Academy Trust space, or wider education sector, as well as those that have a track record in public sector HR.
 
About our Culture

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level from beginner teachers to executive leaders. All our academy locations are within a commutable distance of each other giving our staff access a close supportive and collaborative network of senior leaders, mentors and specialists.
 
Overview of Responsibilities

As our new Director of People, you will keep our people focused, productive and engaged so that the Federation can continue to grow, attract top talent, develop the skills of its staff and further evolve its inclusive culture. The postholder will report directly to the Chief Executive and will be responsible for the design, development and effective implementation of all workforce, education, training and organisational development strategies. As our Director or People you will be expected to:

• Develop, implement and oversee a Federation-wide HR strategy consistent with best practice, and implement HR initiatives in line with the Federation’s objectives
• Lead the Federation’s HR department, spanning learning and development, employee engagement, compensation and benefits, talent management, HR information systems (HRIS) and department financial planning
• Monitor and develop the Federation's equalities policy and practice as it relates to staff
• Ensure effective processes are in place to enable change management processes and restructurings
• Establish and maintain appropriate HR policies and conditions of service and working practices, monitoring adherence and effectiveness
• Oversee a rapid programme of opening academies and TUPE projects from an HR perspective, including Trade Union consultation
• Manage the provision of appropriate management information reports for HR data to all levels of management
• Ensure the provision of a high quality occupational health service. 
• Liaise closely with Principals on safeguarding issues to ensure, as a minimum, compliance with the legislative framework and guidance around safer recruitment, and keeping abreast of developments in this area
• Support senior colleagues in determining and delivering the vision and strategic goals of the Federation

Please download the the job pack for the full job description and person specification. 

This is an excellent opportunity for a talented individual wanting to join an innovative educational charity which is transforming lives in London and setting new standards in Education. If you are an established HR Director or People Director with significant experience operating at C-suite/executive management level, then we would like to hear from you. Equally, we are interested to hear from senior HR professionals who feel they are ready to take on a Director level role within a leading, large Multi Academy Trust.

Requesting a call 

Discussions: If you would like to arrange a confidential and informal conversation with our Chief Executive, Sir Dan Moynihan, or if you have questions regarding the job pack, please contact Harry Bond, Head of Talent. Contact details are available via the apply link.

Important - when contacting us to arrange a call, please ensure you apply and complete the first step of creating an account and uploading a full CV including your educational and professional qualifications, full employment history, latest remuneration, details of relevant achievements and contact details. 

We look forward to hearing from you. 

Next Steps

Please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. You will need this when completing your online application.

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact us via e-mail, or call to arrange a conversation.

Please note: we may hold interviews as and when applications are received, and this job may be withdrawn without notice. We only accept applications submitted online via our careers website and which are completed before the closing deadline. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible and advise you check the job information as per the listing on our careers site.

Our Benefits Package

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package.

Find out more about Our Benefits

Being a part of the Harris Federation

We are recognised as the top performing large multi-academy trust in England for primary and secondary education. Closing the gap between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers has always been a core mission of Harris. Holding a reputation for bringing transformative approaches to education, we hold a unrivalled track record in achieving success through rapid school improvement.

Our people are at the heart of this success. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of training programmes available at every stage of your career.

We look for talented individuals who share our vision for creating exceptional places of learning, and are committed to ensuring that every child in London has access to the best possible education.

Learn more About Harris and our Vision and Values

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants.

Read our Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders

Diversity and Equality

We are committed to equality and to valuing diversity as an employer and a provider of education.

Read our Diversity and Equality Notice