Head of People

Location: Merrion Way, Leeds LS1 1UR, UK

Salary: 59,513 - 62,253 per year

Employment: Full time

Category: HR

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Employer: Leeds City Council

Job title and organisation: Head of People - East SILC
Salary: Director ,513 - 62,253
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: East SILC
Closing Date and Time: Sunday 1 November 2026

Lead People Strategy at One of the Region’s Most Ambitious Specialist Settings

East Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre (SILC) is a large, complex 2–19 generic special school with 470 learners on roll.

We operate across multiple sites and deliver a wide range of specialist services across the city, including partnerships with mainstream schools, the city-wide Physical Difficulties and Medical Service, and the Medical Needs Teaching Service for Leeds.

Exceptional Education for Exceptional Lives sits at the heart of everything we do.

This is a rare opportunity to join a highly ambitious, values-led organisation and play a pivotal strategic role in shaping workforce culture, capacity and long-term sustainability across a complex SEND environment. As Head of People , you will directly influence outcomes for children, families and staff across our organisation and the wider system.

What Makes This Role Different?

• You will lead and deliver workforce strategy across a complex, multi-site, city-wide SEND organisation—not a single-setting model
• You will operate at the intersection of education, health and care , influencing system-wide practice
• You will shape not only staffing structures, but the lived experience of learners with complex needs
• You will work directly with, and provide expert, credible advice to an experienced Executive Principal and Governing Board , with genuine strategic influence

This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious senior HR leader seeking to make a meaningful and measurable impact.

Our Values

At East SILC, our work is underpinned by our core values of:

Kindness | Integrity | Ambition | Collective Responsibility

As Head of People, you will play a central role in embedding these values across all aspects of workforce practice, culture and leadership.

The Opportunity

This is a high-impact strategic leadership role where you will:

• Drive sustainable recruitment and retention in a challenging labour market
• Use workforce data and insight to shape strategic decision-making and organisational improvement
• Shape and embed a values-led, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture

You will lead the People function with significant autonomy, influencing workforce sustainability, staff experience and organisational performance at scale.

About You

We are seeking a strategic and values-led people leader who thrives in complex environments and is motivated by making a tangible difference.

You will:

• Bring substantial experience of senior HR/People leadership within a complex organisation
• Hold CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent) with strong employment law expertise
• Demonstrate a proven track record of delivering workforce strategy and organisational change
• Be highly analytical, using data to drive insight-led decision-making
• Build credibility and trust with leaders, staff, unions and external partners
• Lead with integrity, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to safeguarding
• Leadership or executive‑level professional development would be desirable.

Why Join East SILC?

Strategic Influence and Impact

• A genuine opportunity to shape workforce strategy across a high-profile, values-led SEND organisation
• Direct influence on organisational direction and long-term sustainability
• Close working with senior leaders and governors

A Strong Wellbeing Offer

• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Access to independent wellbeing support through the Schools Advisory Service
• A wide range of Leeds City Council benefits, including:
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• VIVUP employee benefits platfor