Regional Head of HR
ROLE PURPOSE
Lead people transformation and support delivery of the Group’s people strategy across a multi-site education environment. The strategic direction is established; the focus is on evolving delivery, strengthening culture, and enabling sustainable organisational effectiveness. You will work as part of a peer group of HR leaders to deliver meaningful, practical change that supports staff and students.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Partner with leaders and HR leaders to deliver people-focused transformation
2. Support cultural development and organisational change initiatives
3. Contribute to workforce efficiencies and sustainable people solutions
4. Provide pragmatic guidance on complex people matters where required
5. Work collaboratively at Head-of-HR level to align priorities and share impact
6. Balance influence with appropriate authority in decision-making
7. Operate effectively across a multi-site, matrix environment
PERSON SPECIFICATION
We are seeking a candidate who is:
8. A credible HR leader with experience in complex organisations
9. Collaborative, diplomatic and measured in approach
10. Motivated to deliver outcomes and progress initiatives
11. Comfortable influencing at leadership level
12. Commercially aware and data-informed
13. Knowledgeable about, or genuinely interested in, the education sector
14. Experience in multi-site or matrix organisations is beneficial.
WHY JOIN US
15. Opportunity to contribute to people and cultural transformation
16. Collaborative HR peer environment
17. Ability to shape how strategy translates into delivery
18. Role with real impact on education and organisational success
About The Bedford College Group
The Bedford College Group was formed in 2017 following the merger of Bedford College and Tresham College and is now the largest provider of education in the South East Midlands, with over 15,000 students passing through our doors each year.
Today, the Group is made up of a family of colleges across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire: Bedford College, Central Bedfordshire College and Tresham College in the towns of Bedford, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough; Shuttleworth College, a specialist land-based college; The Bedford Sixth Form, (the only dedicated sixth form in Bedford); The Corby Sixth Form, (opened in September 2023); and the National College for Motorsport alongside Silverstone race circuit. To widen accessibility to education and training, the Group also has community-based Learning Centres in Bedford, Corby and Kettering which offer IT training.
Our Values
19. Valuing Teamwork - We are one team who by working together can achieve great things, respecting the opinion and valuing the contribution each of us makes.
20. Improving Continuously - We challenge ourselves to always do better by trying new things, sharing knowledge, reflecting on practice and learning from others.
21. Student Centred - At our heart is always doing what is best for our students. We consider students in all of our decision making to create positive outcomes and memorable experiences for every student.
22. Inclusive - We celebrate differences and diversity, recognising that we can learn from each other.
23. Open and Caring - We care about the wellbeing of our staff, our students, our community and wider society, creating an environment built on trust where we listen, engage with and support each other.
24. Nurturing Education Excellence - We promote educational excellence by delivering programmes that challenge our students to achieve their ambitions.
Safeguarding our Students
The Bedford College Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to thorough vetting process which includes, an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide. The Bedford College Group's policy on Employment of Ex-Offenders is attached to this vacancy.
Candidates who are barred from working with children are reminded it is a criminal offence to apply for this post.
Terms and Conditions - Bedford College
25. 37 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
26. 35 days annual leave per annum, plus bank holidays
27. Local Government Pension Scheme
28. Retail and leisure discounts