WSR is recruiting for a Head of HR for our esteemed client in Milton Keynes.
Job Title: Head of HR (Education Sector)
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 ll 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 ll 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 ll be confident navigating its complexities, from safeguarding and compliance to sector‑specific terms and conditions.
We re 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 ll 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 re 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 at (phone number removed) for more info.
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