Director of HR

The Boarding Schools' Association; Canterbury; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in Canterbury is seeking an experienced Director of HR to lead the People Strategy across its group of schools. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in HR leadership, excellent strategic insight, and communication skills. This role offers an extensive rewards package and the opportunity to work collaboratively with senior management to achieve the School’s vision.

Benefits

Gold membership at The King’s School Sports Centre

Enhanced employer pension contributions up to 10%

Qualifications

• Highly experienced HR professional with strong strategic insight.
• Proven leadership ability with excellent communication skills.
• Ability to inspire confidence at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the School’s People Strategy.
• Advise on HR best practice and lead organisational change.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding and employment legislation.

Skills

Strategic insight

Leadership ability

Strong communication skills

Job description

Overview

Based in the beautiful setting of the Precincts of Canterbury Cathedral and St Augustine’s Abbey, a World Heritage Site, The King’s School is one of the oldest and most prestigious Schools in the country with an enviable record of academic excellence and achievement.

We are seeking an exceptional Director of HR to join our team. This is a pivotal role, shaping and driving the People Strategy across the King’s group of schools (The King’s School, Canterbury; Junior King’s; and The King’s School International College), with a workforce of over 900 staff.

The Director of HR will play a central role in achieving the School’s strategic aims by providing expert HR leadership, advice, and support. They will work closely with the Head and Senior Management Teams to ensure that the People agenda supports the School’s long-term vision, while overseeing the day-to-day effectiveness of the HR department. Leading a team of six, the postholder will foster a high-performing HR function that is proactive, professional, and collaborative.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include developing and implementing the School’s People Strategy, advising on HR best practice, leading organisational change, ensuring compliance with safeguarding and employment legislation, and building HR capacity across the schools.

Requirements

We are seeking a highly experienced HR professional with strong strategic insight, proven leadership ability, and excellent communication skills, who can inspire confidence at all levels.

Rewards

The King’s School offers an extensive rewards package, including:

• Gold membership at The King’s School Sports Centre
• Enhanced employer pension contributions up to 10%

Safeguarding, recruitment and employment checks

No agency applications will be accepted at this time.

The King’s School is committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process which is in line with the statutory Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates.

All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.