HR/People Operations Manager

We have a new and exciting opportunity for an ambitious and forward-thinking People Operations Manager to play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering our people services across Diverse Academies Trust. Reporting directly to the Head of People Culture, this is a high-profile leadership role responsible for leading our People Operations function and ensuring the delivery of professional, efficient and customer-focused services that support more than 1,300 colleagues across our family of academies and central teams.

This is a rare opportunity to influence organisation-wide workforce practice, lead service transformation, and contribute to strategic decision-making that helps our colleagues thrive and our children and young people achieve their full potential.

As our People Operations Manager, you will lead a talented and experienced team of operational and advisory team members and take ownership of key areas including employee relations, workforce data and reporting, people systems, payroll and pensions oversight, compliance, policy development and continuous service improvement. You will work closely with academy leaders, executive leaders and central teams to ensure our people services are efficient, compliant, responsive and focused on delivering excellent outcomes.

The successful candidate will:

• Lead and develop a high-performing HR/People Operations Team, creating a culture of service excellence, accountability and continuous improvement.

• Provide expert HR advice and support on complex workforce matters, organisational change, job evaluation, employee relations and workforce planning.

• Drive innovation and transformation through the optimisation of people systems, workforce analytics and operational processes, helping the Trust make informed, evidence-based decisions.

• Oversee outsourced payroll and pensions provision, ensuring robust governance, compliance and high-quality service delivery.

• Work collaboratively with leaders across the Trust to deliver strategic priorities, support organisational development and enhance the colleague experience.

Essential

• Significant experience operating at a senior HR leadership level.

• Experience leading people operations within a complex, multi-site organisation.

• Extensive knowledge of employee relations, employment law, workforce practice and people service delivery.

• Demonstrable experience leading and developing teams whilst influencing senior stakeholders.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret workforce data and translate insight into action.

• CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent senior professional experience in HR

Desirable

• Experience working within the education, public sector or multi-academy trust environment.

• Experience implementing or developing HRIS, payroll or workforce management systems.

• Knowledge of public sector pensions administration.

• Experience supporting organisational transformation and service improvement initiatives.

Why join Diverse Academies Trust?

Diverse Academies is a multi-academy trust with a vision to inspire, to raise aspirations and to create brighter tomorrows. Across primary, secondary and special settings, we share a common mission to nurture curiosity, develop wellbeing and empower children and young people to go beyond their aspirations. Together, we believe we can make a difference in our diverse communities, and in the lives of those who learn with us and work with us.

We empower. We respect. We care.

Visits are welcomed and encouraged - please contact Sarah Green - Head of People Culture at sgreen@diverse-ac.org.uk to arrange, or for further information.

Our employee benefits

At Diverse Academies, you’ll find yourself in a vibrant, inclusive and supportive environment, where everyone can grow, progress and achieve a fulfilling career. We offer a fantastic range of rewards and benefits, challenging and interesting work, and opportunities to achieve your potential.

In return you will benefit from:           

• Enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme with an employer contribution of at least 16.6%

• Operational support holidays of 32 days + 8 bank holidays

• Excellent Continuous Professional Development (CPD) opportunities covering technical, leadership and coaching skills via the trust’s Diverse Association for Professional Learning

• Employee Assistance Programme

• GP helpline

• Health and wellbeing advice and support

• Eyecare vouchers

• Salary sacrifice schemes - car scheme, cycle to work, home and electronics

• Lifestyle savings - discounts and offers on gym memberships, holidays, days out, shopping, restaurants, etc

• Health cash plan (personal or family) - where you pay monthly and can claim money back on private treatments such as dental, optical and therapies (e.g. physiotherapy, osteopathy etc)

• Childcare - breakfast and after school provision

• Take a look at our rewards and benefits online

Applications

Early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date of the advertisement, should we identify an appropriate candidate.

Direct applications only - no agencies.

Closing date: Friday 9 October 2026      

Interview date: Friday 16 October 2026

Start date: As soon as possible

If you have any initial questions or would like to learn more about this opportunity, please contact Sarah Green - Head of People Culture at sgreen@diverse-ac.org.uk