City Learning Trust
People Director
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Lead People. Shape Culture. Transform Futures
Location: Stoke-on-Trent with regular travel across Trust academies in Staffordshire
At City Learning Trust, we believe our workforce is the heartbeat of our organisation. Every colleague, whether working directly with children or supporting those who do, plays a vital role in shaping lives and creating opportunities for future generations. Our people matter because our children matter.
We are seeking an exceptional People Director to join our Executive Leadership Group and lead a workforce strategy that places wellbeing, belonging, professional growth and high performance at the centre of everything we do. This is not a traditional HR leadership role. We are looking for a visionary leader who understands that culture drives success and that outstanding organisations are built by investing in people.
This is an exciting opportunity for a values-led professional to influence the future of education across our established Trust, helping to create an environment where colleagues choose to stay, grow, contribute and lead.
About the Role
As People Director, you will act as the Trust's principal adviser on workforce strategy, organisational development, culture and employee experience. Reporting directly to senior leaders and working alongside fellow Directors, you will ensure that people decisions support educational excellence, organisational sustainability and exceptional outcomes for children and young people.
You will:
- Lead the Trust's people strategy across the entire employee lifecycle.
- Develop a culture rooted in kindness, belonging, professionalism and ambition.
- Champion wellbeing, engagement, leadership development and talent management.
- Drive workforce planning, succession planning and organisational design.
- Lead employee relations matters and strategic workforce initiatives.
- Provide workforce insight and assurance to Trustees and senior leaders.
- Ensure employment practices are legally compliant, compassionate and aligned to Trust values.
- Position City Learning Trust as an employer of choice within the education sector.
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We are looking for a strategic, commercially aware and emotionally intelligent leader who can inspire trust, build relationships and create lasting organisational impact.
You will bring:
Essential Experience
- Senior leadership experience in HR, People, Organisational Development or Workforce Strategy.
- A proven record of creating positive organisational cultures and leading transformational change.
- Significant experience of workforce planning, talent management and leadership development.
- Expertise in employee relations, employment law and organisational risk management.
- Experience of influencing senior stakeholders, Boards or governing bodies.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate workforce data into strategic decisions.
Personal Qualities
You are someone who:
- Leads with authenticity, integrity and compassion.
- Combines strategic thinking with practical delivery.
- Builds high-performing teams through coaching and empowerment.
- Understands that great cultures are created through relationships, not processes.
- Can challenge constructively whilst maintaining trust and credibility.
- Believes that every employee should have the opportunity to thrive, grow and reach their potential.
- Is driven by purpose and motivated by improving outcomes for children through exceptional leadership.
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Why Join Us?
At City Learning Trust, leadership is not about hierarchy; it is about humanity. We are a Trust that values courage, kindness, accountability and ambition. We recognise that exceptional education is created by exceptional people and we are committed to creating the conditions where both can flourish.
As People Director, you will have the opportunity to:
- Shape the strategic direction of a forward-thinking Multi-Academy Trust.
- Influence the lives of thousands of children through workforce excellence.
- Work alongside passionate leaders committed to making a difference.
- Build a culture where wellbeing, inclusion, accountability and professional growth work together.
- Leave a lasting legacy across our schools and communities.
Level 7 CIPD desirable.
Ready to make a difference? We would love to hear from you.
Join us and help build a workforce culture where exceptional people create exceptional futures for children.
Please contact Wendy Dean, Chair of Trustees at wdean@citylearningtrust.org with your CV and covering letter stating why you’d be a perfect fit for us (no more than 2 A4 pages).
Closing date for applications 31 July 2026
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