Director of People and Culture

Latymer Upper School; City Of London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious independent school in the UK is seeking a Director of People and Culture to lead their people strategy at a significant point in their development. This strategic leadership role involves working closely with Governors and the Senior Leadership Team to ensure the People Strategy aligns with the School's vision. Ideal candidates should have a strong track record in HR leadership, cultural transformation, and fostering inclusive workplaces. This opportunity allows for considerable impact within a dynamic educational environment.

Qualifications

• Accomplished HR leaders with strategic insight and operational credibility are welcome to apply.
• Track record of leading cultural transformation and shaping forward-looking people strategies.
• Experience in fostering inclusive, high-performance workplaces is valuable.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership of the people function.
• Ensure People Strategy aligns with the School’s vision and values.
• Partner with Governors and leaders across the School.

Skills

HR leadership

Cultural transformation

Strategic insight

Operational credibility

Inclusive workplace fostering

Job description

About Latymer Upper School

Latymer Upper School is seeking an outstanding Director of People and Culture to lead and shape their people strategy at a pivotal point in the School’s development. A full member of the Senior Leadership Team, this is a senior, strategic role offering the opportunity to have a significant impact within one of the UK’s most successful academically ambitious and values‑led independent schools.

Latymer’s story spans more than 400 years. The Latymer Foundation was established in 1624 when Edward Latymer, a lawyer and philanthropist, endowed funds to provide clothing and education to “eight poore boyes” of Hammersmith. That ethos of social inclusivity and educational excellence remains central to who they are today. Latymer Upper School, based in Hammersmith since 1895, is now a leading co‑educational independent day school educating around 1,400 pupils aged 11‑18, supported by an exceptional prep school and a staff community of over 350 professionals. They are known for their intellectual rigour, inclusive ethos and strong commitment to social mobility, and through their Inspiring Minds bursary campaign, they have one of the most ambitious bursary programmes in the sector.

They are also at the forefront of educational innovation. From 2027, Latymer will replace traditional GCSEs with a bespoke Middle School curriculum designed to develop deep critical thinking, creativity, resilience and collaboration, preparing students for advanced study and life‑long learning.

Director of People and Culture

The Director of People and Culture will be a senior member of the leadership team, reporting directly to the Head and partnering with Governors and leaders across the School. They will provide strategic leadership of the People function, ensuring that the People Strategy aligns with Latymer’s vision and values and supports their aspirations for organisational excellence and innovation.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership of the people function, reporting directly to the Head and partnering with Governors and leaders across the School. Ensure that the People Strategy aligns with Latymer’s vision and values and supports organisational excellence and innovation.

Qualifications

Applications are welcomed from accomplished HR leaders who can bring clarity of purpose, strategic insight and operational credibility to their people agenda. While experience in education is valued, the School is particularly interested in candidates with a track record of leading cultural transformation, shaping forward‑looking people strategies, and fostering inclusive, high‑performance workplaces.

Benefits and Application

This role presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to one of the UK’s most dynamic school communities as they embed new pedagogical approaches and continue to strengthen their reputation for academic ambition, social impact and staff development that embraces lifelong learning.

To download further information on the role or to apply, please visit quoting ‘8235’. The deadline for applications is 08:30 GMT on Friday 6th February.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, online check and two satisfactory references.