School Strategic Lead For Human Resources

SANZA Teaching Agency; London Borough of Hackney; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

SANZA Teaching Agency is exclusively supporting a forward-thinking primary school federation in Hackney to appoint a Strategic Lead for Human Resources.

This exciting temp-to-perm, full-time role leads HR strategy, advises senior leaders, strengthens staff wellbeing, recruitment, and policy compliance across the federation, and directly line-manages four Senior Administrative Officers. Start ASAP and collaborate with executive headteachers to shape workforce planning.

Qualifications

• Experience leading HR strategy in education or multi-school settings.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and employee relations.
• Proven ability to develop and implement HR policies and workforce initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the federation's HR strategy.
• Advise senior leaders on employee relations and policy interpretation.
• Line-manage four Senior Administrative Officers.
• Oversee recruitment and staff wellbeing initiatives.
• Ensure policies comply with current education legislation.

Skills

Senior HR leadership

Employment law

Stakeholder engagement

Recruitment strategy

Team management

Education

CIPD Level 5 or 7

Job description

Strategic Lead for Human Resources - Primary School Federation

Location: Hackney, London (school-based)

Temporary Daily Rate: £250-£260 per day

Permanent Salary: £54,000-£56,000 per annum

Contract: Full-time, temp-to-perm

Start Date: ASAP

Lead HR Strategy and Make a Lasting Impact in Education

SANZA Teaching Agency is exclusively supporting a forward-thinking primary school federation in Hackney to appoint a Strategic Lead for Human Resources.

This is an exciting temp-to-perm opportunity for an experienced HR professional looking to take ownership of a key leadership function within an established education setting. You will play a central role in shaping the federation's HR strategy, advising senior leaders and ensuring effective people management across its schools.

Working closely with Executive Headteachers and Headteachers, you will help strengthen staff wellbeing, improve recruitment and retention, and ensure HR policies and practices support the federation's wider educational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic HR Leadership: Develop and implement the federation's HR strategy, aligning people management with organisational priorities and educational objectives.
• Employee Relations: Provide expert advice to senior leaders on complex employee relations matters, employment law, disciplinary procedures, grievances and policy interpretation.
• Team Management: Directly line-manage four Senior Administrative Officers, providing leadership, guidance and support to ensure an effective HR service.
• Recruitment and Retention: Oversee recruitment, safer recruitment processes, onboarding and strategies to attract and retain high-quality staff.
• Policies and Compliance: Ensure HR policies remain up to date and comply with current employment legislation and relevant education sector requirements.
• Staff Wellbeing and Culture: Support initiatives that promote positive working relationships, staff engagement and a supportive workplace culture.
• Senior Leadership Partnership: Act as a trusted adviser to school leaders, providing strategic guidance on workforce planning and people-related decisions.

What We're Looking For

• Significant experience in a senior HR leadership role, ideally at Head of HR, HR Director or equivalent level.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, employee relations and HR policy development.
• Experience leading teams and advising senior stakeholders on complex people management matters.
• A proven ability to develop and implement effective HR strategies, recruitment processes and workforce initiatives.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across diverse teams.
• Previous experience within schools, academies or a multi-school trust is highly desirable, although experienced corporate HR professionals with transferable skills are encouraged to apply.
• CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 qualification, or equivalent professional experience, is preferred.

Why Apply?

• Competitive daily rate: £250-£260 per day during the temporary period.
• Permanent career opportunity: Progress into a permanent position paying £54,000-£56,000 per annum.
• Strategic influence: Shape HR practices and contribute to the long-term success of a primary school federation.
• Leadership responsibility: Manage a team of four Senior Administrative Officers and work directly with senior school leaders.
• Immediate start: An opportunity to make an impact from the outset.

Why Join Through SANZA Teaching Agency?

SANZA Teaching Agency is proud to be part of the Tradewind Recruitment group, supporting education professionals and schools across London and beyond.

When you work with SANZA, you benefit from dedicated consultant support, access to accredited professional development courses and a commitment to delivering a high-quality recruitment experience.

SANZA Teaching Agency - Because Education Matters