Head of People

At iRock School of Music, we’re on a mission to transform the way children experience music education. Through high-energy, band-based sessions in primary schools across the UK, we give thousands of children each week the chance to play, perform, and feel part of something bigger. But what truly sets us apart is our people. Our team of passionate musicians and educators don’t just teach, they inspire confidence, nurture creativity, and create unforgettable moments for every child they work with.

If you’re looking for a role where your love of music meets real purpose, where no two days are the same, and where you can make a lasting impact while doing what you love, iRock could be the perfect stage for you.

Salary: Competitive - Dependant on Experience

Bonus: Annual Bonus linked to both Company and Individual Performance

Holiday:27 days, plus bank holidays

Contract: Full-time , permanent

Location: Farnborough Office

Closing Date: 30th October 2026

As our Head of People, you will sit on the Senior Leadership Team and lead the People function at an exciting stage of iRock’s growth. Our people are at the heart of what we do, and you will shape the environment in which brilliant people can thrive, deliver exceptional performance and grow with the organisation.

You will own and deliver the people priorities within our strategic plan, ensuring People is a visible driver of iRock’s success. This includes building a high-performing and engaged organisation, strengthening leadership capability, protecting our culture as we grow and ensuring we have the people and structure needed to achieve our ambitions

This is an ambitious strategic leadership role that remains close to the detail. You will lead a small team, turn ambition into action and bring energy, commercial judgement and high standards to the people opportunities and risks that come with a fast-growing, people-intensive organisation.

• People strategy and organisational capability: Own the People roadmap within iRock’s strategic plan, advising the SLT on organisational structure, leadership capability and the workforce needed to support growth.
• Lead the People team: Provide strategic direction, coaching and support to the HR Business Partner and Recruitment Manager, with clear ownership and accountability for delivery within their respective areas.
• Performance, leadership and culture: Set the organisation-wide approach to performance, leadership and culture, enabling managers and the People team to embed it consistently across iRock.
• Recruitment and the employee journey: Set the strategic direction for recruitment and the employee experience, supporting the Recruitment Manager and HR Business Partner to lead delivery within their respective areas.
• People governance and risk: Provide senior oversight of People policies, employee relations and compliance, acting as an escalation point and ensuring significant risks are understood and managed effectively.
• People insight and strategic impact: Define the measures that matter, use People data to guide SLT decisions, and hold the function accountable for progress against the strategic plan

• Significant People/HR leadership experience, ideally within a growing, multi-site or people-intensive organisation.
• Confident operating at senior leadership level, influencing and constructively challenging leaders when needed.
• Proven experience of turning People strategy into measurable improvement.
• Strong experience across performance management, employee relations, recruitment and leadership development.
• Experience leading and developing a People team, with clear standards and accountability.
• Strong commercial judgement, with the ability to balance the needs of our…