Head of HR Operations

Vacancy for Head of HR Operations at Meridian Trust

Salary: Meridian Trust Directorate 2 - £60,619

Contract type: 37 hours, 52 weeks

Maternity Cover contract

We are looking for a brilliant Head of HR Operations to help us build a HR service that is modern, efficient, data-informed and genuinely useful to the people who rely on it.

This is not a “keep things ticking over” role. It’s a chance to shape how HR operations work across Meridian Trust — improving systems, simplifying processes, strengthening compliance and making sure our schools and central teams get the responsive, high-quality support they need.

You’ll lead the operational engine room of HR: recruitment, learning administration, core HR processes, payroll and pensions & HR data. But more importantly, you’ll help us move from process-heavy to people-focused; from manual processes to smart workflows; from inconsistent practice to clear, confident and joined-up ways of working.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys making things better. Someone who can spot where a process is clunky, where data could tell us more, where automation could save time, and where colleagues need clearer guidance or better support. You’ll bring structure, pace and curiosity — but also the emotional intelligence to take people with you.

Working closely with the Director of HR and colleagues across the Trust, you’ll play a key role in delivering our People Strategy and helping HR become more proactive, insight-led and future-focused.

The key responsibilities

You’ll be leading and developing our HR operations function, with a focus on:

• Making HR processes simpler, smarter and more consistent across the Trust
• Improving the quality, accuracy and use of HR data
• Embedding better workflows, automation and self-service where it makes sense
• Leading key HR operational areas including recruitment, learning administration, payroll, pensions and core HR administration
• Keeping HR policies, governance and compliance arrangements up to date and fit for purpose
• Supporting great service delivery across schools and central teams
• Coaching and developing colleagues
• Helping to turn the People Strategy into practical, visible improvements

The ideal candidate

We’re interested in people who can combine strong HR knowledge with a practical, improvement-focused mindset.

You might already be in a senior HR operations role, or you may be an experienced HR professional ready to take on a broader operational leadership post. Either way, you’ll need to be confident working across systems, processes, compliance, people and data.

You will bring:

• Strong experience of leading HR operations, HR administration or people services
• A good understanding of employment law, HR policy and compliance
• Confidence using HR systems, data and metrics to improve decision-making
• Experience of improving processes and making services work better for users
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• A collaborative, credible and solutions-focused approach
• The ability to lead change without over complicating it

Experience in education, a multi-academy trust or the wider public sector would be helpful, but it is not essential. What matters most is that you understand how to deliver a high-quality HR service in a complex organisation — and that you are excited by the opportunity to improve how things work.

About Meridian Trust

Meridian Trust is a values-led organisation formed in 2011 that has risen to be one of the highest-performing academy trusts in the country. The Trust is founded on its commitment to a high-quality educational provision for all at the heart of local communities. Meridian currently operates primary, secondary and special schools across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.

Meridian Trust offers a wealth of fantastic benefits for teaching and support staff which are highlighted below but are not limited to -

• Apprenticeship and CPD opportunities which allow you to gain specialist knowledge in a role you are passionate about developing in
• Opportunity to jump start your career in teaching through our dedicated Initial Teacher Training Team (ITT)
• Support for mental health and wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme and other resources
• Cycle to work scheme
• Defined benefit local government or Teacher’s pension scheme
• Healthcare benefits including free eye test vouchers and flu vaccinations
• Free on-site parking
• Discounts on a wide range of benefits from everyday essentials to holidays

To explore our full range of benefits, please visit https://www.meridiantrust.co.uk/jobs-and-training/benefits/.

For more information about the role please download the Applicant Information Pack below.

Meridian Trust reserves the right to close the applications early in the event that a suitable candidate is sourced.

The Trust is committed to diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an enhanced check with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), as well as online searches.