Chief People Officer Academy Trust

Orchard Hill College Academy Trust (OHCAT) is a family of specialist academies supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire. The Trust operates 13 special schools, supporting over 2,000 learners with a wide range of needs, including autism, speech, language and communication difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, and complex physical and learning disabilities.

OHCAT was established under the sponsorship of Orchard Hill College (OHC), a specialist further education provider with a long-standing reputation for excellence in supporting learners with severe, profound and complex needs.

As both organisations have matured and expanded, governance and leadership arrangements are evolving to reflect their respective scale and ambitions, with a move toward dedicated executive leadership for each, underpinned by a formal partnership agreement that will sustain the collaboration, shared learning, and mutual support that have defined their relationship.

This is a pivotal moment for OHCAT, and an exciting opportunity for an exceptional Chief People Officer to help shape the next phase of its development. Reporting to the Chief Executive and sitting on the Executive Senior Leadership Team, you will lead OHCAT's People agenda at a time of significant organisational change. You will help build the culture, leadership capability and workforce needed to deliver the Trust's Strategy to 2030, ensuring OHCAT continues to attract, develop and retain exceptional people.

Your remit will span organisational transformation, workforce strategy, talent, culture and engagement, reward and HR services. You will also oversee the continued delivery of HR services to Orchard Hill College through the existing Service Level Agreement, maintaining strong collaboration as the governance and leadership of the Trust and College evolve.

At the heart of the role is culture. You will be a key driver of OHCAT's 'One Trust' ambition, strengthening connection, engagement and shared purpose across the organisation and helping create the conditions in which both colleagues and learners can thrive.

We are looking for a strategic and values-led People leader with experience of working across a large, multi-site organisation and a strong track record of leading change. You will have shaped and delivered workforce and talent strategies, built strong relationships with senior leaders and Boards, and be able to influence across a wide range of stakeholders. Strong judgement, resilience and the ability to bring people with you will be important, as will a genuine connection to OHCAT's mission and values.

Experience in education, not-for-profit or the wider public sector would be welcome, but we are equally interested in candidates from other purpose-led organisations who can bring relevant insight and experience to the role.

This is a significant opportunity to help shape OHCAT as it enters its next phase: strengthening its identity, building organisational capability and creating the culture and workforce needed to deliver outstanding outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Orchard Hill College Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

In line with the statutory guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education, the Trust will request and review references and carry out online searches on shortlisted candidates prior to interview as part of our safer recruitment process. Any concerns raised will be followed up with the applicant before a recruitment decision is made.

Orchard Hill College Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.

Orchard Hill College Academy Trust endeavours to make any necessary reasonable adjustments to the job and working environment to enable access to employment opportunities for disabled job applicants or continued employment for any employee who develops a disabling condition.