Job Description
Head of People
Competitive salary, depending on experience
Permanent, full-time
Hybrid – working across ILG settings, Head Office and home
Inspired Learning Group (ILG) is seeking an experienced Head of People to join our People Team at a critical point of organisational growth and transformation.
Inspired Learning Group currently owns and operates 32 independent schools and nurseries across the UK, supporting around 2,000 colleagues. We are proud of the individuality of our schools and nurseries and work closely with them to provide safe, inspiring environments where staff and pupils can thrive.
The Role
The Head of People is a senior operational leadership role within the People function, responsible for the effective delivery of employee relations and people partnering across the Group.
Reporting directly to the Director of People, you will lead the People Partnering function, providing expert oversight of complex employee relations, workforce risk, and people matters across schools, nurseries, and Head Office. You will line manage a team of Area Senior People Partners and People Partners, ensuring consistent, high-quality, and compliant People support.
This role acts as a senior professional advisor on high-risk and sensitive people matters, including those involving Headteachers and Nursery Managers, and provides data-led insight and recommendations to inform strategic decision-making.
You will work closely with the Head of Recruitment & Resourcing and the People Operations Manager, forming a senior People leadership group responsible for delivering a joined-up, end-to-end colleague lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
• Lead the People Partnering function, setting clear standards, priorities, and ways of working
• Hold operational responsibility for employee relations delivery across the Group, including complex and high-risk cases
• Act as escalation point for ER matters involving senior leaders, including Headteachers and Nursery Managers
• Draft and manage settlement agreements, without prejudice discussions, and negotiated exits
• Line manage, coach, and develop Senior People Partners and People Partners
• Ensure consistency, quality assurance, and compliance across all People partnering activity
• Use people data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities, reporting insight to the Director of People
• Support organisational change initiatives including restructures, TUPE transfers, acquisitions, and policy implementation
• Work collaboratively across Recruitment and People Operations to ensure a seamless employee lifecycle
About You
You will be a highly experienced HR / People professional with a strong background in employee relations leadership and team management within a complex or multi-site organisation.
You will bring:
• Extensive experience managing complex and sensitive employee relations matters
• Proven ability to advise and influence senior leaders with confidence and sound judgement
• Strong experience line managing and developing HR / People professionals
• Experience drafting and managing settlement agreements and negotiated exits
• Confidence using people data and insight to inform decisions and recommendations
• A collaborative leadership style with strong professional credibility
• Resilience and effectiveness in a fast-paced, high-risk environment
• A CIPD Level 7 qualification (or equivalent senior HR experience) is essential.
• Experience within the education or public-facing sector, and working in a group or multi-site organisation and a full UK driving licence is desirable.
What We Offer
As part of ILG, you will benefit from:
• School / nursery fee discount
• Annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, increasing with service
• Pension scheme
• Refer-a-friend scheme (up to £750)
• Health cash plan covering a range of healthcare benefits and services
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan scheme
• Ongoing professional development and leadership support
How to Apply
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Tom Havard, Head of Recruitment and Resourcing, on 07706 323847 or via email at tom@inspiredlearninggroup.co.uk
To apply, please visit: https://applicant.website/i/65A755/vacancy-info/0000001058
We encourage early applications and reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised closing date. Interviews will take place on a rolling basis.
Safeguarding Commitment
Inspired Learning Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS clearance, identity checks, qualification checks, employment history checks, and satisfactory references.