Director of People & Performance
Full time, 37 hours per week
Salary: £53,749 - £60,502 per annum
Burton on Trent, Town Centre Campus
Who are we looking for?
We are seeking an exceptional and forward-thinking Director of People & Performance to lead our People & Performance function at a strategic level.
This is a pivotal leadership role for an experienced senior HR professional who is passionate about creating high-performing, inclusive and engaged workplaces. You will play a key role in shaping organisational culture, leading workforce transformation and ensuring we attract, develop and retain outstanding talent.
You will provide strategic leadership across the full employee lifecycle, driving innovation in recruitment, talent management, organisational development, employee relations, performance and workforce planning. You will also hold overall responsibility for the outsourced payroll function, ensuring an efficient, accurate and compliant service.
Working closely with senior leaders across the College, you will act as a trusted strategic partner-bringing insight, challenge and expertise to support organisational priorities and long-term success.
Key responsibilities
In this role, you will:
1. Lead the People & Performance service as a strategic enabler of College priorities
2. Develop and deliver an ambitious People Strategy aligned to workforce planning, succession and organisational goals
3. Drive organisational design, change and transformation programmes
4. Lead innovative recruitment and talent strategies to attract diverse, high-quality candidates
5. Embed a strong talent management and leadership development framework
6. Build leadership capability through effective business partnering, coaching and challenge
7. Champion a high-performance, inclusive and values-driven culture
8. Lead employee engagement, wellbeing and attendance strategies
9. Oversee complex employee relations matters, restructures, consultation and organisational change
10. Maintain effective trade union relationships and partnership working
11. Ensure compliant, efficient and high-quality HR operations
12. Hold overall strategic and operational responsibility for payroll, ensuring accurate, timely and compliant delivery
13. Oversee workforce systems, people data and reporting to drive continuous improvement and informed decision-making
About you
We are looking for a credible and strategic senior leader with:
14. Significant experience in senior HR leadership roles, with a strong focus on strategy, transformation and talent
15. A track record of delivering organisational change, workforce planning and people strategy
16. Strong recruitment, organisational development and talent management expertise
17. Experience of influencing and partnering with senior stakeholders and leaders
18. Strong understanding of employment law, employee relations and HR governance
19. Experience overseeing payroll or related operational functions
20. A proactive, data-informed and solutions-focused approach
You will be:
21. Strategic, commercially aware and outcome-focused
22. A confident and credible leader who can influence, challenge and inspire
23. Collaborative, inclusive and values-driven
24. Passionate about creating positive workplace cultures and enabling organisational success
If you are viewing the advert via a 3rd party job board, please visit the ‘Work for us’ page on the BSDC website for the full job advert and job description.
Why come and work for us?
Burton and South Derbyshire College is an Ofsted outstanding College. We value our employees and have a number of additional benefits to offer the successful applicant:
25. Generous pension schemes for academic and support staff
26. Generous holiday plans
27. Salary sacrifice holiday purchase scheme
28. Free Employee Assistance Programme
29. Flexible working policies
30. Competitive maternity, paternity and adoption leave
31. Excellent staff training programme, including two staff development days per year
32. On-site nursery with Good Ofsted rating
33. Cycle to Work Scheme
34. Free annual eye tests
35. Access to our onsite gym
36. Staff discounts at our fine dining restaurant, The Mulberry, our Mulberry Bistro and Innovations Hair and Beauty salon
37. Reward and recognition through our Employee of the Month scheme
38. Discounted health cash plan
39. BHN Extras discount scheme
Burton and South Derbyshire College are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture and you should share those values. We would welcome applications from all candidates, including under-represented groups in respect of age, disability, sex, gender or gender identity, ethnicity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender status which would reflect our diverse community.
The College is registered with the Disclosure and Barring Service and the successful applicants for this post will be required to apply for the Disclosure at the enhanced level. In addition, internet searches will be undertaken in accordance with the KCSIE guidance. The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are committed to a sustainability agenda and are working hard towards achieving a net zero environmental impact. We aim to embed this in our culture with our staff, learners, visitors and suppliers all expected to show dedication towards reducing our carbon footprint.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 12 noon, Friday 5th June 2026 with the intention to interview on 23rd and 24th June 2026.Please see our “Work For Us” page on the College website for more information on how to complete the application. Please note late applications are not acceptable.