Director of People & Culture

Director of People & Culture

Start Date: 1st January 2026 or ASAP thereafter (subject to required notice periods)

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, ethical and experienced HR professional with an outstanding track record, to help lead our people strategy and ensure our trust is an employer of choice. In a newly formed trust, this post offers an opportunity to shape our strategy and work alongside other professionals seeking to develop staff to their full potential and provide a positive and rewarding working environment.

* We will work with the appointed candidate to determine the best working pattern which might be 0.6, 0.8, term time only, full year, job share etc. We are open to hybrid working, which some team members already utilise.

Core Purpose:

You will lead the trust’s HR team, under the direction of the Executive Lead for People, Culture and Communications, to develop all aspects of our HR strategy and services.

The trust has prioritised its people strategy as the main focus for the first phase of its operation, with 2 strands focusing on Human Resources and Professional Development. Though the postholder for this role will need to work collaboratively with the professional development team, the specific focus for this role is on the strategic leadership of HR, in particular:

· Aligning the HR vision and goals with the overall trust strategy and objectives.
· Having overall accountability for HR operations, including recruitment, compensation and benefits, policy development, contracts, employee relations, diversity and inclusion and compliance.
· Engaging with internal and external stakeholders, such as employees, leaders, trustees, suppliers, trade unions and regulators.
· Developing the talent pipeline and succession plan for the trust. Identify the current and future skills and competencies that are required for the trust and implement approaches to attract, retain, and develop the best talent.
· Promoting equality, diversity, and inclusiveness in the trust, developing our objectives, strategies, and procedures for creating a diverse and inclusive environment.
· Fostering a culture of learning and encourage employees to pursue personal and professional growth.
· Supporting and facilitating change management in the trust, anticipating and assessing the impact of the changes on the people, processes, and culture, and supporting other trust and school leaders to manage the transition smoothly and effectively.
· Demonstrating and promoting ethical leadership in the trust, upholding and enforcing the values, code of conduct and policies that guide behaviour and decision-making across the trust.

Apex Collaborative Trust offers: 

· A strong culture driven by values, where Ambition, Collaboration and Trust are at the heart of everything we do.
· A supportive Central Trust team committed to improving outcomes for all children through meaningful collaboration.
· Access to cutting-edge professional development opportunities to help you grow.
· A culture where individuals can thrive - where innovation is encouraged and there is no fear of failure.

The ideal candidate will:

· Align with our culture and values, contributing positively to our team dynamic.
· Demonstrate strong written, numerical, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and effectively.
· Be an experienced HR professional with a strong track record of success.
· Think strategically and support the CEO and other leaders to plan and develop our workforce over time.
· Champion equality, diversity, and inclusiveness and support the development of a diverse and inclusive environment.
· Be an ethical leader committed to our trust values so that these are modelled and promoted across the organisation.