Head of Human Resources
Ambition Community Trust
Salary: Grade 9 SCP 36–40 (£47,181 – £51,356)
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Trust-wide, with travel across academy sites as required
Shape the Future of People Leadership in Education
Ambition Community Trust is seeking an experienced and values-driven Head of HR to lead and develop our people strategy across a growing family of schools.
This is an exciting opportunity to establish and shape a high-quality HR function within an ambitious and expanding Trust. Reporting to senior leaders, you will provide both strategic and operational HR leadership, helping to create a culture where every colleague feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
At Ambition Community Trust, relationships are at the heart of everything we do. We believe schools flourish when kindness, inclusion, and collaboration are embedded in everyday practice. As Head of HR, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring our people practices reflect these values while delivering excellence across all areas of HR.
About the Role
The successful candidate will lead on all aspects of HR strategy and operations across the Trust, including:
- Strategic workforce planning and organisational development
- Employee relations and complex case management
- Recruitment, onboarding, and safer recruitment compliance
- Leadership development and talent management
- HR policy development and employment law compliance
- Change management, restructures, and Trust growth
- Development and leadership of the central HR function
- Supporting senior leaders and headteachers with expert HR advice
This role offers a unique opportunity to influence organisational culture, strengthen staff wellbeing and engagement, and support the continued growth of the Trust.
About You
We are looking for a confident and collaborative HR leader who can operate strategically while maintaining strong operational credibility.
You will have:
- Significant senior-level HR experience, ideally within education, public sector, or multi-site organisations
- Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
- Experience managing complex employee relations matters
- The ability to advise and influence senior leaders effectively
- Experience leading and developing HR teams
- A commitment to inclusion, wellbeing, and positive organisational culture
- CIPD Level 5 qualification (minimum), with willingness to work towards Level 7
Experience within the education sector and knowledge of academy trust environments, school workforce frameworks, and organisational change management would be highly advantageous.
Why Join Ambition Community Trust?
At Ambition Community Trust, we are committed to creating environments where both children and adults can flourish. We value compassion, collaboration, equity, and excellence, and we are proud to foster a culture where people feel genuinely supported and empowered.
This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a Trust that is ambitious for its schools, communities, and people.
Safeguarding Statement
Ambition Community Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory pre-employment clearances.
About Ambition Community Trust (ACT)
Ambition Community Trust (ACT) is a dynamic Multi-Academy Trust committed to transforming the lives of children and their communities through inclusive, relational education. Our ethos is rooted in the belief that emotional safety, strong relationships, and high-quality teaching are the foundations of educational success and long-term well-being.
As a Trust, we are passionate about fostering compassionate relationships, promoting equity and excellence for all, and achieving quality through collaboration. Our schools operate as a community of practice, valuing the individuality of each school while sharing a common goal: to ensure that every child thrives academically, socially, and emotionally.
ACT is proud to be a geographically cohesive Trust, primarily based in Tameside, with schools extending into Trafford and Manchester. Our diverse family of schools includes Primary, Special, and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and the importance of early intervention. This structure allows us to implement our Relational Inclusion approach at every educational stage, ensuring that all pupils—regardless of background or circumstance—receive the support they need to succeed.
Our Schools:
- Millbrook Primary School (Tameside) – Outstanding, 2024
- Greswell Primary School (Tameside) – Good, 2024
- Corrie Primary and Nursery School (Tameside) – Good, 2021
- Russell Scott Primary School (Tameside) – Good, 2023
- Gorse Hall Primary School (Tameside) – Good, 2023
- Meade Hill (SEMH) and Castlefield Campus (Manchester) – Good, 2024
- Southern Cross (SEMH) (Manchester) – Good, 2024
- Tameside Pupil Referral Unit (Tameside) – Good, 2022
Our strength lies in our collaborative approach, where schools work together to share expertise, innovate, and continuously improve outcomes for all students. Central to our vision is Relational Inclusion, an evidence-informed framework that addresses the root causes of barriers to learning, particularly the impact of trauma, attachment difficulties, and adverse childhood experiences.
By joining ACT, you will become part of a forward-thinking Trust that values integrity, compassion, and the relentless pursuit of better outcomes for children and their communities. We are committed to fostering environments where staff are empowered to lead, innovate, and make a real difference in the lives of young people.