Director of People at King's Group Academies

New

Job Reference #

EDV/2026/KGA/17357

Location

King's Academy College Park, Crofton Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO2 0NT

Contract Type

Permanent

Contract Term

Full-Time

Salary

£105,595.00 - £110,892.00 Annually (FTE)
Starting salary between L30 - L32 (£105,595 - £110,892)

Closing Date

9:00am, 17th Feb 2026

Start Date

May 2026

Positions Available

Positions Available 1

Driving licence required

Interview Date(s)

Friday 27th February 2026

Interview Date(s) Friday 27th February 2026

About this Role

King's Group Academies is seeking an exceptional People Director to lead and mature our Trust-wide People agenda during an exciting period of growth and development. As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping organisational strategy, culture, governance and long-term sustainability across our fifteen academies.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will be accountable for developing and delivering a forward-looking People Strategy that aligns workforce planning, organisational culture, performance, wellbeing, equity, diversity and inclusion. You will provide expert, trusted advice to the CEO, Board and Committees, supported by robust data, professional judgement and integrity.

The role offers strategic oversight of talent management, succession planning, leadership development and workforce sustainability, while also leading a high-performing People function through People Operations and Partnering models. You will champion cultural development initiatives that reflect our values of Honesty, Faith, and Courage, ensuring openness, accountability and high performance are embedded across the Trust.

This is a rare opportunity to operate at scale, influence at the highest level, and make a lasting impact on the lives of colleagues and pupils across diverse communities.

About you

You are a highly experienced senior People of HR leader, qualified to CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent), with a proven track record of operating at executive or senior leadership level within a complex, multi-site or matrix organisation. You will bring deep expertise across the full employment lifecycle, organisational development and workforce transformation, and are confident advising and influencing Boards and Committees.

You combine strategic vision with pragmatism, and are comfortable leading through complexity, change, and challenge, including within unionised environments. You are an influential relationship builder with the courage to challenge constructively, drive innovation, and make difficult decisions in the best interests of an organisation.

You lead with integrity, resilience and professionalism, and are passionate about fostering inclusive, values led cultures where people can thrive. Above all, you are motivated by a belief in the power of education to transform lives and are committed to improving outcomes and life chances for children and young people.

Before you apply

To find out more about the role and the online application process, we ask, in the first instance, you contact our recruitment partners
Propelo on 01273 222 877, email kingsacademies@propelo.co.uk or visit https://kingsacademies.our-careers.co.uk.

Close date for applications: Tuesday 17th February, 9am

Interviews: Friday 27th February

Contact Details

  Paula Waugh or Sophie Gaston
  01273 222877
  kingsacademies@propelo.co.uk

King's Group Academies would like all candidates to answer specific questions for the personal statement section. For reference, here is a preview of the questions/headings:

Please explain why you are applying for the role of People Director at King’s Group Academies and how your experience, skills and leadership approach make you well suited to this position.
Please provide an overview of how you typically operate as a senior People leader within a complex organisation, and the contribution you would expect to make as a member of an executive leadership team.