Head of People & Culture

Bosco Catholic Education Trust is recruiting a Head of People and Culture to lead and shape a Trust‑wide people agenda rooted in Catholic mission, educational excellence and a culture where every colleague is known, valued and supported. Working directly with the CEO and senior leaders, this role will ensure our staff flourish professionally, spiritually and personally.

We are looking for a strategic, values‑led leader who understands that people are central to our mission and who can build systems, culture and capability across a growing family of schools. If you are motivated by service, collaboration and developing others, we would be delighted to hear from you.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Head of People and Culture is a central leadership role within Bosco Catholic Education Trust, one that sits at the intersection of mission, culture, organisational development and the lived experience of every colleague across our family of schools.  This is a role for someone who understands that people are not simply a resource but the heart of our mission and that the way we support, develop and care for our staff directly shapes the education and formation we provide to our young people.

As Head of People and Culture, you will lead the Trust’s entire people agenda, bringing coherence, clarity and ambition to how we attract, develop, retain and support our staff.

You will work closely with the CEO, Headteachers, governors and the wider executive team to build a culture rooted in dignity, service, Gospel values and professional excellence.

This means shaping a people strategy that is not only operationally strong but spiritually and ethically aligned with Catholic education, ensuring that every colleague feels known, valued and supported, in the spirit of St John Bosco’s belief that young people must be “known and loved.”

Your work will span strategic workforce planning, leadership development, organisational design, well-being, inclusion and the consistent application of HR practice across all schools. You will lead the development of leadership pathways and succession planning, ensuring that current and future leaders are nurtured, encouraged and equipped to serve their communities with humility and purpose. You will champion staff well-being, embedding practices that support balance, belonging and professional growth and ensuring that our culture reflects kindness, hope and integrity.

This role also carries significant responsibility for organisational development. You will ensure that policies, systems and behaviours are consistent, efficient and aligned with both statutory requirements and the distinctive ethos of Catholic education. You will guide leaders through change, support Headteachers with complex workforce matters and ensure that employment practices reflect fairness, justice and the highest safeguarding standards.

You will also play a key role in strengthening relationships across the Trust: with unions, with school leaders, with central team colleagues and with the Diocese. Your leadership will help build trust, encourage collaboration and ensure that staff experience is positive, consistent and rooted in our shared mission.

Your collaborative leadership will influence how colleagues feel about their work, how leaders grow, how culture is lived and how the Trust continues to flourish. You will help create an environment where staff thrive, schools feel supported and the Trust grows with confidence, compassion and clarity of purpose; ensuring that every child, every colleague and every community is known, loved and enabled to flourish.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a senior HR or People leader with the strategic capability, emotional intelligence and values‑driven mindset to shape a Trust‑wide people strategy. We remain open to your sector background and see this role being suited to someone who cares deeply about transforming the lives of learners and staff through developing a high-performing people function. You will bring significant experience in HR, organisational development or people leadership, ideally across multiple sites, and be confident advising senior leaders and Boards.

We are looking for someone who can:

• Develop and implement people strategies that strengthen culture and capability.
• Lead organisational change, workforce planning and leadership development.
• Manage complex employee relations with fairness and clarity.
• Build constructive relationships with unions and staff bodies.
• Use workforce data to identify trends, mitigate risks and improve performance.
• Champion well-being, inclusion and Catholic values in all people practices.

You will be an outstanding communicator, able to inspire trust, build relationships and model servant leadership. A commitment to staff well-being, professional growth and the Catholic ethos is essential. MCIPD or equivalent is strongly preferred.

TIMETABLE

Closing date: Monday 26th October 2026, 9.00am

Candidates informed of outcome: Friday 30th October 2026

Interviews: w/c Monday 2nd November 2026