Head of HR Operations

The 3 18 Education Trust; Shrewsbury; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid working

Induction & training

Employee benefits

Job summary

The 3-18 Education Trust invites an accomplished HR leader to become Head of HR Operations. Reporting to the Director of People, you will oversee a high-performing HR service across 14 schools, ensuring excellence for every colleague and every school.

You will partner with school leaders, drive People strategy, and lead on conversations around culture, employee experience and organisational transformation in a flexible, hybrid working environment.

Qualifications

• Experience as an HR leader with strategic mindset.
• Strong employment law knowledge and advisory skills.
• Proven track record delivering People projects from design to delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead and continually develop a high-performing HR service across 14 schools.
• Partner with school leaders to inform organisational decisions and strengthen culture.
• Shape and deliver initiatives that enhance employee experience and service transformation.

Job description

Are you an influential leader ready to shape the future of our HR service? As Head of HR Operations, reporting to the Director of People, you will lead and continuously develop a high-performing HR service across our family of 14 schools, inspiring the team that delivers excellence for every colleague and every school.

Lead the future of HR services across our family of schools.

With around 900 staff across primary and secondary phases, our people are everything to us. As a strategic leader, you will champion the delivery of an exceptional, proactive HR service, driving innovation through systems, technology and service transformation. Partnering closely with school leaders, you will provide expert people solutions that inform key organisational decisions. Working alongside the Director of People, you will shape and deliver impactful initiatives that enhance employee experience, strengthen organisational culture and bring our People Strategy to life across every school.

Who we’re looking for

You are an ambitious, credible HR professional and ready to step up and lead. You bring sound employment law knowledge, the confidence to advise and influence senior leaders, and a track record of leading People projects and change from design through to delivery. Just as importantly, you have the vision and drive to shape the future of our HR function, with plans to strengthen the team through the appointment of a Senior HR People Partner and a further HR People Partner during 2026 and 2027.

Experience in the education sector is desirable but not essential - what matters most is your judgement, your energy, and your commitment to outstanding service.

What we can offer you:

• Flexible and hybrid working
• Comprehensive induction
• Commitment to ongoing training and career progression
• Range of employee benefits

The 3-18 Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check and, where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013, 2020 and 2023). Guidance on disclosing convictions can be found on the Ministry of Justice website. Under the Immigration Act 2016, candidates for customer-facing roles must meet the necessary standard of spoken English. It is an offence to apply if barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. Employment is subject to medical fitness, satisfactory references, right to work in the UK, and an Enhanced DBS check. Online social media checks will be carried out on successful applicants.