Head of Human Resources

About us and the role

Avanti Schools Trust (Multi-Academy) is a family of highly successful schools (eight Primary, two Secondary, two all-through and one in pre-opening). We also operate two wholly-owned trading subsidiaries, one of which provides catering to our schools.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Avanti in a forward-thinking, dynamic and strategic role to drive our ambitions about our people and culture.

Our new Head of HR will work alongside the Executive Team to address several key priorities. You will be responsible to the Finance Director for the efficient and effective operation of the centralised HR department. Responsibilities include leading the HR processes and driving people management strategies in line with the Trust’s vision and Strategic Plan. You will instil best practices by playing a leading role in helping to champion HR programs and initiatives to shape the future across the Trust. Working closely with the Finance Director and in partnership with the Executive Team, you will lead and motivate the HR team, delivering added valued services in the areas of the Employee Lifecycle, Employee Benefits, Recruitment, Payroll, Pensions, Projects, Management Information and Systems. This will involve collaboration with all schools and other departments, working particularly closely with our Principals, Headteachers and the Finance team. With proven expertise, you will ensure that the HR function is effectively delivered across the Trust, whilst exacting standards and experience of operating in a high-volume environment will ensure related compliance is expertly managed.

The successful candidate will ideally have extensive proven experience in the Education sector. However, candidates with very strong HR experience outside the Education sector are also encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will be senior HR leaders with experience in dealing with Executives and Board-level. Experience managing the whole employee lifecycle, a strong customer service ethic, a keen focus on process improvement, and the ability to develop excellent relationships are also required. You will deliver the HR function at both operational and strategic levels and must be able to contribute and challenge constructively at a strategic level, combined with the ability to listen sensitively to the views of others to foster an inclusive and supportive culture. Being an excellent team player with strong operational management experience to lead and focus on building a solid HR team, you will upskill employees for growth and development, ensuring all staff have the capacity and capability to succeed. 

This role will work in a flexible, hybrid model.

If you are interested in working in an institution that is financially stable, intellectually curious, ambitious, inclusive and collaborative, then look no further! This role represents an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of Avanti Schools Trust.

Why should you apply

You will be working in a fantastic environment.

Avanti exists to help each person become a well-rounded human being through intellectual, moral and spiritual growth, and so make the world a better place. 

What will you do? 

• Act as the Trust’s and the Academy’s expert HR Lead, delivering a cohesive and effective HR Strategy. 
• Work in close partnership with the Finance Director and the Executive Team to deliver the Trust’s mission, values and Strategic Plan. 
• Provide professional leadership, support and development to HR staff to increase knowledge, share best practices and ensure that relevant professional standards are met. 
• Take a lead role in transforming and strengthening the organisational culture, ensuring that the Trust’s ethos, values and approach are upheld. 
• To be the HR lead for Ofsted visits facilitating improvement and progress to demonstrate effectiveness during inspections.

For a more comprehensive list of the job responsibilities, please view the full Job Description

What are we looking for? 

• Extensive experience in an HR role. 
• Significant experience in a senior management HR role. 
• Experience in restructuring, re-deployment and redundancies. 
• Previous responsibility for managing HR resources with excellent people skills and understanding complex HR issues.

Please view the full Job Description for more information on the essential criteria and skills required for this role.

Further information

Pre-employment checks
Avanti Services Limited is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates are required to have an Enhanced DBS check unless internally appointed and still within the cycle of DBS re-checks.

Any appointment subsequently made will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks.
Diversity and Inclusion
We want to make sure we are attracting the widest possible range of people and ensure that they are accepted, understood and treated equally when they work here. This means we will work hard to understand that each employee is unique and ensuring that individuals or groups are not treated differently or less favourably on the basis of specific characteristics.

Such characteristics include (but are not limited to) age, disability, gender including transgender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, and how the school supports pregnant women and new parents.