Director of People, Development and Culture
Location: Based at the William Henry Smith School but requirement to work across all Foundation sites.
Contract: Full time, Permanent, All year round, 37 hours per week
Salary: £63,837.00 – £67,435.00 per annum
Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer / Executive Principals
Responsible for: People Team (HR and L&D)
Key Relationships: Chief Executive Officer; Principals; Registered Manager (Children’s Home); Head of Care; Designated Safeguarding Leads; SLT and Operational Managers; Board of Trustees / Governors; External Regulators, and local authorities
Purpose of the Role
The Director of People, Development and Culture will provide strategic leadership for all people-related functions across the organisation. This is a key role in shaping a values‑led, inclusive, and safe culture for our diverse workforce and the vulnerable children and young adults we support. You will lead on workforce planning, recruitment, employee relations, performance and talent development, while ensuring compliance with safeguarding standards, Ofsted, DfE and local authorities expectations, and employment legislation (HMRC, ACAS etc). You will help build a collaborative, compassionate, and accountable working environment where staff are empowered and children and young adults can thrive. You will have an active presence, contributing to strategic direction, supporting effective decision‑making, and promoting a culture of collaboration and accountability across the Foundation.
Key responsibilities:
- Create, and implement a people strategy aligned with the organisation’s mission, safeguarding responsibilities, and regulatory requirements.
- Act as a strategic advisor to the CEO and Senior Leadership on all workforce and organisational development matters.
- Maintain compliance with all relevant employment and sector‑specific legislation.
- Lead and oversee all HR operations including employee relations, performance management, absence and wellbeing.
- Develop and implement L&D strategies that meet all mandatory training requirements and support professional growth.
- Present people data, analysis and reports to other strategic leaders, Governors and Trustees to support decision making, and influence operational decision‑making.
About you:
We are looking for someone who:
- Holds a CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent professional HR Qualification.
- Can evidence continued professional development in HR, organisational development or leadership.
- Has significant senior HR/People leadership experience within a complex organisation.
- Has proven experience of leading organisational culture change and workforce development strategies.
- Is values‑driven, committed to safeguarding, student welfare, equality and diversity.
- Is self‑motivated and proactive, with a willingness to undertake further training and continuous learning.
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