We are seeking an exceptional and values-driven leader to join our Executive Team as Director of People and Culture across Heartwood Learning Trust. Our Trust’s values of Kindness, Respect, and Teamwork underpin the vision ‘Life in all its fullness – a place to thrive’ and are central to all Trust activities and aims.

This is a significant strategic leadership opportunity for an experienced HR professional who is passionate about people, organisational culture, and educational improvement. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the successful candidate will lead and develop a high-quality Trust-wide HR function, providing both strategic direction and operational leadership across all aspects of people management, workforce development, and organisational culture.

As Director of People and Culture, you will work closely with senior leaders, Principals, Trustees, and colleagues across the Trust to ensure that we attract, develop, and retain talented staff who feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. You will lead on workforce strategy, employee relations, organisational change, wellbeing, inclusion, talent development and compliance, helping to create a culture where collaboration and professional excellence flourish.

We are looking for a confident and credible leader with substantial senior HR experience, ideally within education or the public sector, although we welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate transferable strategic leadership experience from similarly complex organisations. You will bring expert knowledge of employment law and people practice, alongside the ability to influence at a senior level, build trusted relationships, and lead with integrity, warmth, and clarity.

The role is primarily based at our central office in Vale of York Academy, with travel required across all of the academies within the Trust.

For an informal conversation about the role with Wendy Munro, Chief Operating Officer, please contact hr@hlt.academy.

What we can offer: 

• Experienced and supportive leadership  with a collaborative approach and an appreciative culture

• An established, experienced and friendly central team

• Holiday entitlement 25 days (increases after 5 years continuous service) plus bank holidays

• Local Government Pension scheme

• Occupational Health

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Cycle to Work scheme

Job Details

Hours of Work: 37  Hours per Week, all year round

Position Type: Permanent

Line Manager: Chief Operating Officer

Travel Required: Yes

The salary is dependent on current qualifications and experience, please see the attached job description for more information.

Application Process

Please complete the online application form to apply for this role. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.  You should use the information supplied with in the Job Description & Person Specification to make the best of your application by identifying some specific pieces of work you may have undertaken in any of these areas. Your application may be viewed in regard to some or all of the skill specific areas over the course of the selection process.  Applications via agencies will not be considered.

Interviews will take place as soon as possible after the closing date.

We are to safeguarding and protecting our children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  All posts are subject to a safer recruitment process which includes enhanced criminal records and barring checks, scrutiny of employment history, robust referencing and other vetting checks.

Our safeguarding system is underpinned by a range of policies and procedures which encourage and promote safe working practice across the Trust. On joining you will be required to undergo continuous professional development to maintain safe working practice and to safeguard our children and young people.