Overview
Globeducate is seeking a Head of People & Culture - UK to lead and coordinate the People agenda across our UK schools.
This is a senior, hands-on leadership role combining operational excellence with strategic alignment. The postholder will ensure strong day-to-day delivery across payroll, employee relations, recruitment and compliance, while strengthening the UK People operating model in line with Group standards.
Reporting to the Chief People & Culture Officer and working closely with UK Heads of School and the Group People team, this role will play a key part in ensuring consistency, legal compliance and high-quality People practices across multiple sites, while supporting growth and organisational development.
This role requires proven experience within UK education environments and confidence operating in a multi-site context.
Key Responsibilities
Payroll & HR Administration

• Oversee and coordinate payroll processes across UK schools, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and compliance.
• Act as the operational owner of UK payroll, working closely with providers and Finance.
• Ensure robust employee record management and adherence to statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Strengthen and standardise HR administration processes across sites.
  

Recruitment & Staffing

• Lead end-to-end recruitment processes for school and central roles.
• Ensure safer recruitment standards are consistently applied across all UK schools.
• Support Heads of School with workforce planning and staffing strategies.
• Build and maintain strong talent pipelines within the UK education market.
  

Workforce Planning & Budgets

• Support the preparation, monitoring and governance of People budgets across UK schools.
• Partner with Finance to ensure cost control and effective resource allocation.
• Contribute to workforce planning aligned to growth and operational needs.
  

Talent & Performance Management

• Lead the annual talent review process across UK schools.
• Support the implementation of consistent performance management practices.
• Coordinate professional development initiatives aligned to school and Group priorities.
• Contribute to succession planning and capability development.
  

Employee Engagement & Culture

• Lead the annual employee engagement survey process in the UK.
• Analyse data and partner with school leaders to implement action plans.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration and professional standards.
  

Employee Relations & Compliance

• Act as senior advisor on employee relations matters, ensuring proportionate, legally sound and pragmatic handling of cases.
• Provide guidance to Heads of School on complex HR matters.
• Ensure full compliance with safeguarding, safer recruitment and education-specific regulatory requirements.
• Maintain strong governance and risk awareness across all People processes.
  

Person Specification

• Significant HR leadership experience within UK education (schools, academies, multi-academy trusts or similar), ideally across multiple sites.
• Proven hands-on experience overseeing UK payroll.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law within education environments.
• Confidence operating in a hands-on, delivery-focused leadership role.
• Experience balancing operational execution with strategic alignment.
• Demonstrated experience in talent management, staff development and employee relations.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior leaders.
• CIPD Level 7 preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years’ HR experience, ideally within education or a multi-site organisation.
  

What We Offer

• The opportunity to shape and strengthen the UK People operating model within a growing international education group.
• Close partnership with senior school leaders and the Group People function.
• A collaborative, supportive and high-accountability environment.
• Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience and qualifications.
• Hybrid working model, with regular presence across UK schools.
  

Safeguarding Statement
Globeducate is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post involves regulated activity and all appointments are subject to Enhanced DBS checks, Overseas Police Checks, Prohibition checks, Overseas Teaching Sanctions checks and Disqualification from Childcare checks where applicable.
Online checks will be carried out on all shortlisted candidates. Candidates will be asked to discuss their full employment history during interview, including any periods not in work.
Globeducate is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Globeducate UK/UK HQ is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and volunteers to understand and share this commitment. We have a shared commitment to develop a culture of respect, where discrimination is not tolerated. We welcome all applications, including those from under-represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.