Franics Holland Schools - Director of HR

Welcome

Francis Holland is a group of leading independent girls’ schools steeped in history based in Central London. The group has delivered a significant improvement in educational results and business performance in the past two years and is well positioned for future expansion.

The Trust set up enables high quality service provision to be delivered across our schools and provides financial stability through the shared central services. Trust staff are supported by a council of professionals, pre-eminent in their fields, who provide well-informed advice and support to Trust staff and its schools via a structure of committees. They also take a broad strategic view on the business operations and the future growth of the Trust.

To reach our goals we understand we need to continue to invest in great people. Our aim is to attract and develop those who will play a positive role in our communities and beyond and it is this aim that make makes the appointment of our new Director of HR both exciting and important.

The Director of HR will need to be equally comfortable working with leaders with commerical or academic backgrounds. The role is a key enabler for us, working closely with the Bursary team and the Senior Leadership teams at both schools. We are looking for an HR leader who can embrace the school communities and add value to the education offering.

Having been at the Trust for the last nine years I am excited for what the future can hold and the ideas and innovation that you will bring to the trust. This is an exciting time to join, and I look forward to your application.

Geoff Wilmot
Chief Operating Officer

About us

About the Trust

The Francis Holland Schools Trust is an educational charity which manages two independent day schools for girls in London.

Both schools were founded by Canon Francis Holland in the late 19th Century and both have been called Francis Holland School ever since. The Trust has equal responsibility for the two schools.

Established in 1878, the Trust provides financial stability through the shared Bursary and shared Board of Governors known as The Council. There are currently 17 members who are all pre-eminent in their professional fields, providing well-informed advice via a structure of committees to both schools.

Both Francis Holland Schools therefore benefit from not only a strong financial foundation but also shared best practice both educationally and administratively. The Trust however recognises the different characters of each school and great value is placed on the autonomy each Head has over their school in terms of staffing, curriculum, uniform and culture.

There is a close working relationship between the Chairman of Governors, the Heads and the Bursar ensuring a smooth running organisation.

Our Schools

FHS, Regent’s Park, is an academic day school for girls aged 11 to 18.

Our reputation for examination success is supported by a caring environment where girls can thrive. We offer an outstanding enriching curriculum delivered by some outstanding teaching staff. Our community is blend of cultures and diversity which add to our unique learning environment.

You can read Headmistress Katharine Woodcock’s welcome letter here.

FHS, Sloane Square, is an academic day school for girls aged 4 to 18.

Our ambition is to provide a curriculum and environment which will enable our girls to become the leaders, thinkers, innovators, designers, entrepreneurs and game-changers of tomorrow. We offer an outstanding experience of learning and culture by putting curiosity, critical thinking and problem-solving at the heart of our approach to learning.

You can read Headmistress Lucy Elphinstone’s welcome letter here.

The role

Director of HR (AQ1874)

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Reports to Chief Operating Officer Direct
Reports HR & Compliance Co-ordinator, Office Manager, HR Advisor, HR and Recruitment Coordinator, (Sloane Square), School Office and HR Coordinator (Regent’s Park)
Key relationships Head teachers, schools’ senior leadership teams, the board of governors, finance and payroll teams, marketing and IT.

JOB DESCRIPTION

To support the COO in all areas of Human Resources leadership and management. The Director of Human Resources will ensure that Francis Holland Schools remains compliant with current HR and employment law best practice, develop and lead on key HR initiatives as required and play a hands-on role in the day-to-day operational running of the department.

Main duties and responsibilities

Human resources

Keep up to date with changes in HR (including recruitment, home office visa and licence requirements, employment) legislation, guidance and good practice and to advise the Schools and COO accordingly.
Develop procedures and practices to ensure that these requirements are met.
Liaise with the School’s HR lawyers as appropriate.
Provide advice to line managers on all aspects of managing staff including absence, sickness, capability and disciplinary.
Monitor and report on staff absence including liaison with occupational health professionals as appropriate.
Provide HR advice on change management e.g. changes in remuneration policy/ pay scales, employment contract terms and conditions, appointments, dismissals and grievances and help implement changes as required.
Review benefits provision on a regular basis.
Ensure all staff have current job descriptions and contracts in place.
Review published job adverts to ensure they are compliant with current legislation and remuneration is competitive with market rates.
Manage the recruitment of Trust staff – design adverts, write job descriptions, collect applications, assist with preparation of interview questions and exercises as required ensuring staff are recruited in line with current legislation and safer recruitment guidance.
Ensure HR policies and the Trust Employment Manual are updated and distributed, and implemented and keep staff up to date with any changes.
Oversee outsourced payroll.

Training and development

Develop staff training policies.
Work with the Schools and COO to ensure the effective induction of new staff.
Advise on appropriate staff training and development procedures.

General

Liaise with Home Office regarding their visits to the Trust, assist the Registrars with issuing Pupil Certificates Of Acceptance of Studies, issue Worker Certificates of Sponsorship and renew the Trust’s Sponsor Licence.
Attend training and develop relevant knowledge and skills.
Any other reasonable tasks as may be requested by the COO or Heads The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

All of the following criteria are essential.

Qualifications/ Professional Bodies

Chartered Member of CIPD.
Educated to university level or equivalent.

Knowledge

Aligning human resources strategies with wider organisational objectives.
An understanding of the core transactional human resources deliverables, from recruitment and appointment, right to work and visa requirements, and payroll and pension processing.
Effective budgetary management.
Managing, advising and taking difficult decisions.
Able to use own initiative and work without supervision.
Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Awareness and understanding of safeguarding and welfare of children.
A willingness to be involved in the wider life of the Schools.

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Terms of appointment

Location

Based primarily at the Bursary Office, 35 Bourne Street, London, SW1W 8JA, the Director of HR (DHR) is expected to provide a reassuring presence to our leadership teams, especially the School leadership teams (SLTs) during term time. The weekly working pattern will need to be flexible to allow for operational issues, but both SLTs would expect the see the DHR at least once a week.

Hours of work

09.00-17.00, full-time. The Trust supports flexible working and will consider requests for other working arrangements. This role is expected to be office based during term time with the flexibility to work from home outside of term time.

Salary

Circa £80,000, dependent on experience. Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution levels (6% during probation with the option to increase to 13.5% after six months)

Employee Benefits

30 days holiday, plus 5 days to be taken over the Christmas period, plus bank holidays.
Private Medical Insurance.
Complimentary school lunch onsite during term time.
Interest free travel and computer purchase loans are available.
The Trust offers a Stakeholder Employee rewards hub providing discounts for shops, cinemas and gym membership.

Safeguarding

An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required as well as other safeguarding checks including references Safeguarding. The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Statutory checks references will be a requirement for this role. This role is classed as regulated activity with children as it involves working within the school on a day-to-day basis with regular and frequent opportunity for contact with children and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, 1974.

How to apply

Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to the Trust, an executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.

The closing date for applications is noon on 30^th April 2023.

Applications should consist of:

Applications should consist of a CV and covering statement (of no more than 1,000 words) outlining key matching experience and rationale for applying for the post.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete the Trust application form inline with safer recruitment practices.

Should you wish to discuss the role(s) in strict confidence, please contact Hayley Mintern on hayley@andersonquigley.com, or +44 (0)7596 954 387.

The trust is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supporting gender equality & Race Equality Charter. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.