Head Of HR

At The Rise Partnership Trust, our vision of "Love, Learn, Laugh" is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating exceptional learning environments where children thrive and staff are supported, valued, and empowered to achieve their best. We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and people-focused Head of Human Resources to lead and further develop our HR function across the Trust. This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished HR professional to play a key role in shaping our workforce strategy, supporting organisational growth, and ensuring our schools remain outstanding places to work and learn. About the Role As Head of HR, you will provide expert professional advice and leadership across all aspects of human resources, workforce planning, employee relations, recruitment, payroll, wellbeing, and compliance. Working closely with the Executive Team and school leaders, you will ensure that HR services are effective, efficient, legally compliant, and aligned with the Trust's strategic objectives. You will lead a dedicated HR team, oversee payroll processes, support organisational development initiatives, and champion a positive culture that attracts, develops, and retains talented staff. Key Responsibilities Strategic HR Leadership Provide expert HR advice to Trust leaders, Head teachers and Trustees. Lead on HR strategy, workforce planning, succession planning, and organisational change. Produce workforce reports covering recruitment, absence, wellbeing, and employee relations. Recruitment and Retention Oversee recruitment across the Trust, ensuring compliance with safer recruitment requirements. Develop effective recruitment, retention, on boarding, induction, and probation processes. Employee Relations and Compliance Lead on complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, and absence cases. Ensure HR policies, procedures, and records are compliant, up to date, and aligned with best practice. Payroll and HR Operations Manage payroll processes and relationships with payroll providers. Drive continuous improvement of HR systems, processes, and services. Support workforce budgeting and planning with Finance colleagues. Staff Wellbeing and Culture Lead staff wellbeing initiatives and monitor workforce trends. Promote a positive, inclusive, and high-performing culture across the Trust. About You We are looking for someone who: Has substantial HR leadership experience, ideally within education, public sector, or multi-site organisations. Possesses excellent knowledge of employment law, HR best practice, and safer recruitment requirements. Has experience managing complex employee relations cases and organisational change programmes. Demonstrates strong, positive leadership, influencing, and stakeholder management skills. Is highly organised, analytical, and able to manage multiple priorities effectively. Is commi