Deputy Director of People

MidKent College; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution is looking for a Deputy Director of People to shape their HR strategy and recruit top talent. This full-time role requires proven HR leadership experience and offers a competitive salary. Join a dynamic team to make a positive impact in a diverse environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Supportive and inclusive work environment

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 7 qualification (MCIPD desirable).
• Significant experience at a senior level in a medium to large organization.
• Background in Further Education sector beneficial but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide HR consultancy and advisory service on staff issues.
• Lead on MKC Training and delivery of HR shared service.
• Manage attendance management system and lead interventions.
• Oversee recruitment processes and improve applicant quality.
• Develop performance and engagement measurements.
• Support change management and HR policy improvements.
• Manage People Officer and other HR team members.

Job description

Overview

MidKent College is seeking a dynamic and experienced Deputy Director of People to join our team and play a key role in shaping the future of our people strategy. Reporting to the Director of People, you will lead on a wide range of HR, L&D, recruitment, and systems initiatives, ensuring that our practices support both organisational goals and the wellbeing of our staff.

We are looking for a CIPD Level 7 qualified professional (MCIPD desirable) with significant experience operating at a senior level in a medium or large organisation. A background in the Further Education sector would be beneficial but is not essential. This is a broad generalist leadership role requiring proven expertise across multiple HR disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Work in partnership with senior managers to deliver organisational and departmental business strategy and objectives by providing an HR consultancy and advisory service on issues affecting staff and the terms of their employment, supporting business planning processes, analysing management information to ensure an effective HR service for departments throughout the Group. This includes ensuring managers deal effectively with employee relations issues by developing business-focused plans and engaging HR colleagues to deliver operational support for a high-quality proactive HR service.
• Provide expert advice, guidance and interpretation of employment law and conditions of service for all managers and staff, promoting consistent application of local HR policies and practices across the Group. Lead on MKC Training and support the delivery of the HR shared service in line with best practice and high-quality standards. Undertake HR projects and assignments as required.
• Manage the local provision of an effective attendance management system for the Group, leading on MKC Training, holding case conferences, liaising with Occupational Health and other stakeholders to achieve swift resolution of individual cases and promote organisational performance by driving up attendance rates with suitable interventions for persistent absentees.
• Support co-ordination of recruitment activity, working with managers to improve applicant quality and appointments and to market the Group as a great place to work. Lead and oversee recruitment and selection processes, advising managers on procedures to ensure consistent methods are applied.
• Support identifying measures to improve capability by developing performance, productivity and engagement measurements across the Group. Monitor and review progress respect of performance and productivity to ensure high quality teaching for students and trainees; apply performance management and capability processes as appropriate.
• Promote and support change management processes, consulting with unions, attending meetings to address development and contractual issues, supporting the delivery of change programmes, and managing redeployment as necessary in line with policies.
• Support the revision and development of HR Policies, with a lead onMKC guidance, procedures, processes and practices, ensuring legal compliance and good employment practices; assist with developing the HR database and online HR services as required.
• Support job analysis and design of new and revised roles, skills audits and standards to support reward, staff development and succession planning to anticipate staffing needs.
• Develop and oversee plans within directorates to improve people management skills of managers, designing and delivering staff development programmes (including sickness absence, grievance, disciplinary and recruitment/selection) and supporting Learning & Development as required.
• Line manage People Officer, Associate Business Partner, Recruitment & Onboarding Manager and Senior Business Partner, allocating duties, training, workload management, discipline, timekeeping, leave approvals, and ensuring compliance with college policies; oversee cost-effective use of overtime and time off in lieu.
• Support the Director of People by leading on projects as required and deputise for the Director of People when needed.

Qualifications and Requirements

To ensure compliance with safeguarding guidelines, all applicants must complete the application form in full, including:

• A full employment history from the time you left full-time education, with details of any gaps explained
• Information on all relevant education and qualifications

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Co-operation helps maintain safety and care standards for children and young people.

Why join us

• Be part of a forward-thinking leadership team shaping the college’s people agenda
• Opportunity to make a real impact in a large, diverse organisation
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• A supportive, inclusive and ambitious environment

Application and Benefits

Application Deadline: 25 September 2025

Location: Cross College

Department: People

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Cross College

Reporting To: Julia Thompson

Compensation: £48,759 - £56,476 / year

Benefits: Click here to view MidKent College benefits.