Tallented is working with an 8 sized MAT in London.

As the educational landscape across the human capital continues to evolve, this established Trust is seeking a forward-thinking HR Director to join their executive leadership team. Operating across eight diverse academy settings within London presents unique demographic and talent challenges. The Board has identified two critical pillars for this role: the implementation of robust, long-term strategic workforce planning, and the cultivation of highly productive, collaborative union relations.

In this pivotal position, your primary mandate will be to look beyond the immediate academic year and architect a workforce strategy that anticipates the Trust’s needs three to five years down the line. Strategic workforce planning here is not merely about filling vacancies; it is a highly analytical endeavor. You will be required to meticulously analyze staff turnover data, demographic shifts in the London teaching pool, and the Trust’s future curriculum requirements to identify potential skills gaps long before they impact the classroom. By developing clear talent pipelines, robust succession planning frameworks, and targeted professional development pathways, you will ensure the Trust is never caught off guard by leadership departures or specialized subject shortages.

Equally critical to your success in this role will be your mastery of employee and industrial relations. You will serve as the primary conduit between the Trust's executive leadership and regional and national trade union representatives. The Trust is committed to moving away from reactive negotiations and towards a culture of "no surprises." You will establish and chair Joint Consultative and Negotiating Committees (JCNCs), fostering a climate of transparency, mutual respect, and proactive dialogue. By engaging with union partners early in any change management processes, you will mitigate the risk of disputes and ensure that the Trust’s strategic objectives are achieved harmoniously. We are looking for a highly credible, CIPD-qualified professional who possesses both the analytical rigor for advanced workforce modeling and the emotional intelligence required for complex, high-stakes stakeholder negotiations.

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