Head of HR

Stephenson (MK) Trust is a values-led, forward-thinking organisation dedicated to ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Our two Academies; one SEMH Academy and one All-through Alternative Provision, based across three geographically dispersed sites, provide high-quality, inclusive education tailored to five distinct areas of need, supporting both male and female students across a diverse community. We are seeking an exceptional Head of HR to lead and evolve our people strategy — ensuring our workforce, culture, and systems are aligned to deliver our educational mission. This is a pivotal leadership role within the Trust, reporting directly to the CEO and working collaboratively with school leaders, trustees, and our multi-disciplinary teams. About the role As Head of HR, you will: Lead the strategic development and delivery of the Trust’s HR function, ensuring best practice and compliance across all academies. Shape and implement a people strategy that promotes excellence, wellbeing, and engagement. Drive recruitment, retention, and professional development initiatives that attract and grow exceptional staff. Foster a positive, inclusive culture that aligns with the Trust’s vision and values. Partner with senior leaders to ensure workforce planning, performance management, and employee relations support operational and strategic goals. Stephenson MK Trust is seeking to appoint an experienced HR leader who combines strategic vision with operational excellence. This is an exciting opportunity to join our small trust as we continue to develop and strengthen our HR function. The role will include the full portfolio of professional HR services including policy development, compliance, contract management, recruitment, employee relations, absence management, retention, payroll and professional development within the Trust. Ideally, you will have significant experience of leading, managing and driving a proactive and consistent HR service, preferably in the education field although this is not essential, and successfully developing and implementing HR strategies and practices. The successful candidate will work closely with executive leaders, principals and staff who are responsible for delivering HR services across the trust and will have line management responsibility for the HR Assistant. This role will require the role holder to be able to work autonomously using their own initiative with a professional, approachable, manner. Our aim is to create a positive and supportive work environment, to be an employer of choice whilst adopting a proactive strategic approach to wellbeing, talent, development, retention, and employee relations. Your application will need to demonstrate that you are/have: Significant experience in HR leadership (minimum 5 years), ideally within education or a complex multi-site organisation, with a proven track record of leading, managing and driving a proactive and consistent HR