Senior People Business Manager

About us

The Youth Engagement Schools Trust (YES Trust) is on an exciting and ambitious journey of growth and transformation, and we are seeking an outstanding Senior People Business Partner to join our team.

As a growing specialist MAT, The YES Trust brings together a diverse family of alternative provision, SEMH, and specialist settings, united by a shared commitment to transforming the lives of children and vulnerable young people. Our schools are home to highly skilled professionals with expertise in trauma-informed practice, relational approaches, SEND, behaviour support, inclusion, and personalised learning. As a Senior People Business Partner, you will be instrumental in helping us attract exceptional talent who share our values, nurture their development, create conditions for them to thrive, and retain the specialist expertise that enables our children, colleagues, and communities to flourish.

We believe that every young person deserves the chance to succeed, regardless of their starting point or the challenges they face. Through exceptional teaching, outstanding pastoral care, and an unwavering commitment to inclusion, we are transforming lives and creating brighter futures for some of the region's most vulnerable learners. We know that to achieve this mission, our greatest asset is our people.

As we continue to expand our national footprint, we are shaping our regional hub model that brings together schools with shared expertise, strong local partnerships, and a collective ambition to transform lives. Our expert central leadership team will work alongside school and hub leaders, creating the capacity, capability, and strategic support that enables them to focus on what matters most – delivering exceptional education.

You will be at the heart of this journey, influencing workforce strategy, developing outstanding leaders, and fostering inclusive, high-performing cultures where colleagues can grow, innovate, and excel.

While aligned to a regional hub, your influence will extend far beyond it. As a senior member of the People Team, you will help to shape Trust-wide strategy, lead cross-organisational initiatives, and deputise for the Director of People. This is a role for someone who wants to make an impact – not only on the colleagues and leaders they support directly, but on success of the Trust as a whole.

By helping to build and shape an exceptional workforce, you will play a vital part in ensuring every child and young person has access to the specialist education and future opportunities that they deserve.

Salary:
Leadership scale L4 – L10

Holiday: 32 days + bank holidays

Location:

Flexible across The YES Trust North-West Region. Regular travel to schools and working from home

Contract:

Full Time | Permanent / Flexible working available

As Senior People Business Partner, you will be a trusted advisor to Headteachers and senior leaders, supporting them to navigate complex people challenges while delivering innovative solutions that enable schools to thrive.

Working in partnership with the Director of People, you will support the delivery of the Trust's People Strategy, Trust and hub-wide development priorities, and high-quality People and HR services across the Trust.

This is a highly visible role that will allow you to influence decision-making at every level of the organisation and make a tangible contribution to our continued growth and success.

To act as an operational and strategic partner to school and Trust leaders, supporting the Director of People in delivering the People Strategy, workforce development priorities, and effective people solutions that support our schools to achieve excellent outcomes.

You will lead and support a broad portfolio of strategic and operational priorities including:

• Workforce planning and organisational development.
• Talent management, succession planning and leadership development.
• Recruitment and retention strategies.
• Employee relations and complex case management, including performance, attendance, capability, disciplinary and grievance matters.
• Wellbeing, employee engagement, reward and…