An exciting opportunity for a proven and experienced Human Resources (HR) leader to be the Chief People Officer for Co-op Academies Trust, a large Multi Academy Trust in the North of England and West Midlands.

You will be the strategic leader for all HR matters across the Trust line managing a large HR team within the central service and school based staff. We would want a person who is innovative and creative bringing our current People Strategy to life in all our schools.

You would become a member of the central senior leadership team and we would encourage you to join and be part of national networks as well, developing yourself as a system wide leader within the educational sector. As a HR leader we would want you to be at the forefront of national policy assisting the Trust to be an employee of choice within the communities we serve. We would like someone who has substantive successful experience as a HR leader who leads by example and is an excellent role model for all that are in your team. We are a large Multi Academy Trust transforming many schools to be Ofsted rated GOOD or better that have never achieved that accolade before. We are also a very diverse Trust in terms of the type of schools who belong to our Trust including small primary to large secondary in terms of size with special schools and a college. Remember you will be a leader within the Co-op representing them but also the opportunity of building strong links and relationships with them to enhance our Trust.

Fundamentally we would like a strategic and innovative HR leader developing a common culture across the Trust so that we have strong alignment with our “Ways of Being” ensuring we are a great place for our staff to work. We want someone who will challenge others in the right way but will also bring new and innovative strategic thinking to the Trust within HR so we are the employer of choice within education.

Why us?

All our values are based upon the values of the Co-op Group, which will inform our behaviours.

Self-help: We do not expect to be spoon fed – we will try to do things for ourselves in the right way and at the right time.

Self-responsibility: Everyone should act in a responsible way around the academy site and in the local community. We take responsibility for our own learning; we want to become independent learners.

Equality: We are proud to be part of a very multicultural academy, with students from all over the world; it is important that we treat each other with respect and accept that others may be different from ourselves. We should all of us have equal chances to succeed.

Equity: We want to look for the best in each other. Rewarding others fairly to encourage all types of achievement.

Democracy: We will contribute our ideas to make the academy a success.

Solidarity: We can achieve more by working together, rather than as individuals.

Our Values

Being part of the Co-operative Group, we are both guided and driven by the Co-op values which are embedded in everything that we do within our Academy - We strive to demonstrate the following ethical values in everything we do - they are our ‘Ways of Being’:

Succeed together

Do what matters most

Be yourself, always

Show you care

So, if you believe in our values, we would love to hear from you! 

We offer a wide range of benefits and rewards to recognise the part you play in our success:

Benefits include:

Our employee benefits package includes:

• As well as 5% cash-back you’ll get being a Co-op member, you’ll get a Co-op colleague discount card. This gives you a 10% discount in our Co-op Food stores. Staff also receive double discounts every month!
• Co-operative flexible benefits (discounted line rental and broadband package, family care advice and cycle to work scheme)
• Discounted gym membership and leisure activities which includes discounts on Merlin Entertainments (Sea Life, Legoland etc), Virgin Experience Days, SuperBreak and many more!
• Co-operative Credit Union: save directly from your salary and receive a competitive dividend. Borrowers can benefit from very competitive interest rates & terms (in comparison with other high street lenders)
• Co-op Funeralcare benefit
• Season ticket and rental deposit loans

And More! 

For more information about the Co-op Academies Trust, please visit: www.coopacademies.co.uk

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