ST Ambrose Barlow R C High School
Assistant Director of People and Culture
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St Ambrose Barlow RC High School
St Ambrose Barlow RC High School is seeking an exceptional HR professional to become its next Assistant Director of People & Culture.
Reporting to the Director of Finance and Operations, Sarah Ashton, and working closely with Headteacher, Ben Davis, this vital leadership role offers the opportunity to shape the school’s people strategy, strengthen organisational culture and ensure colleagues are supported to deliver the very best outcomes for pupils.
This is much more than a traditional HR management position. You’ll lead the People function across the employee lifecycle, providing strategic advice, developing managers, improving staff well-being, using workforce data to drive decision-making and ensuring excellent people practices across the school.
As the school continues to invest in its professional services, we’re looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with operational credibility, enjoys building strong relationships and is confident supporting and constructively challenging senior leaders.
This is a permanent role with a 36-hour week, comprising term time plus four weeks / 43 weeks per year. The working hours will be between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., with a later start or earlier finish once a week. There is a requirement to be on-site five days per week.
Who we are
St Ambrose Barlow RC High School is a successful and ambitious maintained secondary school serving Swinton and the surrounding communities.
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Rooted in values (Love, Learn, Lead), the school is committed to providing an outstanding education where every young person is known, supported and challenged to achieve their potential. Alongside high expectations for pupils, the school recognises that exceptional outcomes are achieved by investing in its people.
Professional services play an increasingly important role within the school and significant investment is being made to ensure staff are supported by modern, effective and forward-thinking systems. This appointment reflects that commitment and represents an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of the organisation.
About the role
As Assistant Director of People & Culture, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the school’s People function.
Working closely with the Director of Finance and Operations, Headteacher and senior leaders, you will develop a positive, inclusive culture where colleagues feel supported, valued and able to perform at their best.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading the school’s People strategy and workforce planning.
- Providing expert advice on employee relations, organisational change and employment matters.
- Leading recruitment, onboarding and retention initiatives.
- Championing staff wellbeing and engagement.
- Using workforce data to identify trends and inform decision-making.
- Developing managers through coaching, guidance and professional support.
- Ensuring compliance with employment legislation, safeguarding and safer recruitment requirements.
- Continuously improving HR systems, processes and service delivery.
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This is an opportunity to influence strategy while remaining closely connected to the day-to-day life of a successful school.
Who we are looking for
We’re looking for a credible and collaborative HR leader who enjoys building relationships and helping organisations thrive through their people.
The successful candidate will bring:
- Experience leading an HR function.
- Experience advising and influencing senior leaders.
- The ability to use workforce data to identify trends and drive improvement.
- A proactive approach to organisational development and continuous improvement.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- The confidence to provide both support and constructive challenge.
- A commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and staff well-being.
Whether your background is in education or another complex organisation, you’ll be someone who combines strategic thinking with a practical, hands-on approach and is motivated by making a lasting difference through people.
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