Director of People and Culture

East Surrey College; Croydon; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in Croydon is seeking a strategic Director of People and Culture to lead their HR functions and foster a positive organizational culture. The ideal candidate will possess a degree, CIPD level 7 qualification, and a strong background in HR leadership within the educational sector. This role encompasses aligning HR strategy with organizational goals, overseeing employee relations, and championing inclusion and wellbeing. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Benefits

Choice of two excellent pension schemes

Brilliant holiday package

Free onsite parking

Access to a fully equipped gym

Discounted spa and salon treatments

Qualifications

• Significant experience as a senior HR leader in the education sector.
• Ability to establish rapport quickly with stakeholders.
• Experience in leading transformational change projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of the People and Culture Strategy.
• Drive cultural change and continuous improvement.
• Advise leadership on HR matters and compliance.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Organizational development

People management

Employment law knowledge

Collaboration skills

Project management

Education

Degree (or equivalent)

CIPD qualification (level 7, MCIPD)

Job description

Director of People and Culture

College location: East Surrey College (Redhill) and John Ruskin College (Croydon)

Salary: Competitive (Subject to qualifications, skills and experience)

Hours: Full time (37 hours/week)

Are you an inspiring and strategic HR leader looking to make a lasting impact in Further Education? We are seeking a forward-thinking Director of People & Culture to join our senior leadership team and shape the future of our organisation.

In this pivotal role, you’ll lead the development and delivery of our People and Culture Strategy, aligning it with our strategic goals. You'll be responsible for a comprehensive HR service covering all areas of organisational development, workforce planning, talent acquisition, employee wellbeing, performance management, and EDI ( Equity, Diversity and Inclusion).

This is a dynamic leadership opportunity for someone with the confidence and expertise to influence organisational culture, lead complex change, and ensure best practice in people management across the College.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading a high-performing People team and setting a clear strategic direction.
• Driving cultural change and continuous improvement across the organisation.
• Advising the Principal, Executive Team, and Board on HR matters and people strategy.
• Overseeing all aspects of HR, including employee relations, development, policy, and legal compliance.
• Championing inclusion, wellbeing, and staff engagement at every level.

About you:

• You will be degree educated (or equivalent), will hold a CIPD qualification (ideally level 7, MCIPD) and will have significant proven experience as a senior HR leader in a similar role within the Education sector.
• You will have the ability to build successful working relationships and rapport quickly with staff and stakeholders at all levels, and will use your extensive employment law knowledge and people management skills to collaborate, problem solve and innovate.
• You’ll be an experienced senior HR professional with a proven track record in strategic leadership, organisational development, and managing complex change. You'll bring energy, innovation, and a collaborative mindset, with a genuine commitment to supporting people to thrive.

This is an incredibly busy, people centric role within an ever changing but incredibly rewarding sector and to succeed you will be articulate, organised, flexible and resilient with well-developed project and time management skills.
Experience of leading transformational change projects would be extremely advantageous, as would liaison and negotiation with Trade Unions. You will also have significant experience of analysing key HR performance indicators and data, and writing comprehensive and informative reports.

If you’re ready to lead and influence in a values-driven, learner-focused organisation, we’d love to hear from you.

Closing date: 6th August 2025

Interviews:19th and 20th August 2025

If this sounds like you and you will enjoy working in a forward thinking, friendly, fast paced, changing environment with state of the art facilities, we would love to hear from you. In return, we offer a competitive salary, as well as staff benefits such a choice of two excellent pension schemes, a brilliant holiday package, free onsite parking and access to our fully equipped gym along with discounted in house Spa and Salon treatments.

*Applications will however be shortlisted on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to interview and appoint before this closing date. We therefore encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment. As much as we would love to respond to all applicants, due to the sheer volume of applications we receive we are unable to respond to all unsuccessful candidates. If you have not heard from us within 14 days of sending your CV, unfortunately you have not been selected for the position and we would thank you for your interest.

Please refer to the attached Job Description, Person Specification and Competency Framework and apply using the button below.

Orbital South Colleges Group are committed to Equal Opportunities, encouraging applications from all sectors of the community to reflect our diverse student population. We are also committed to PREVENT and Safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Both College Campus’ are smoke-free zones.

As part of our pre-employment checks, successful candidates will be required to complete an enhanced DBS, references will be taken and evidence of all qualifications and awards will also be required before commencement of employment. Failure to do so may lead to offers being withdrawn.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK as we do not sponsor work permits, and work permits from other organisations are unacceptable as proof of right to work in the UK.