Chief People Officer

Discovery Schools Academies Trust Ltd, Leicester, LE4 1EZ

27 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  10 June 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  14 May 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Administration, HR, data and finance
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: Competitive salary
• Additional allowances:

  Competitive salary

Chief People Officer job summary

Chief People Officer

Discovery Schools Trust

Salary: Competitive

Contract Type: Full-time and Permanent

About the Role?

Discovery Trust is seeking an exceptional Chief People Officer to lead and develop our trust-wide People agenda during an exciting period of growth and development. As a key member of the executive team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the People strategy across the Trust.

Why choose Discovery Trust?

Discovery Trust is an innovative, high performing and purpose driven multi-academy trust working across the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland area. Across our growing family of 20 academies, we empower children and colleagues to realise their full potential and experience limitless learning. Being part of Discovery means playing your part, within an organisation that makes a lasting difference; a place where you can use your initiative, co-create with brilliant people - and be yourself.

Discovery Trust is seeking an exceptional Chief People Officer to lead and develop our trust-wide People agenda during an exciting period of growth and development. As a key member of the executive team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the People strategy across our central team and our 20 academies. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will be accountable for developing and delivering an innovative People strategy that aligns workforce planning, organisational culture, HR operations, recruitment, performance, wellbeing, and leadership development. You will provide expert, trusted advice to the CEO, Board and committees.

As a key executive team member, you will ensure that openness, accountability and high performance are embedded across Discovery Trust. This is a great opportunity to operate and influence at scale and make a lasting impact on the lives of staff and children in a growing, dynamic MAT. As a result, to be successful in this role you will need to be a highly experienced People or HR leader, qualified to CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent), with a proven track record of operating at executive leadership level in unionised organisations. You will already be a resilient, strategic leader, and confident leading through growth, change, and challenge.

Your executive HR experience may have been gained within schools and MATs, or in a similarly complex and multi-site organisation in another sector. Regardless, you’ll bring the requisite skills and a relentless commitment to support our schools and the people who run them.

Discovery Trust employ a diverse range of highly talented people to co-construct the very best places to learn, with innovative solutions to ensure all children achieve. If you want to make a lasting difference, get in touch to learn more. For a confidential and informal conversation about the role, please contact our recruitment partners, Propelo, on 01273 222 877 or email discovery@propelo.co.uk. To access the pack and for details of how to apply, please visit: https://discovery.our-careers.co.uk

What We’re Looking For

Qualifications:

• Relevant people/organisation leadership qualification (e.g.CIPD Level 7 or higher) or equivalent senior level experience leading complex workforce and organisational change.

Professional Growth & Support

• Coaching, peer networking and ongoing leadership development opportunities to support your growth as a senior people leader
• A collaborative executive team that values strategic HR leadership , innovation and continuous improvement across the Trust
• The opportunity to share and influence culture, leadership capability, and people strategy at executive and board level.
• Access to modern technology, digital tools, data insights and cross functional collaboration that support innovation, informed decision making and organisational growth

Work-Life & Wellbeing Benefits

• Flexible working options.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Defined benefit pension scheme.
• Be an integral member of the team in a vibrant school.
• Create an outstanding learning environment for the success of all of our children.
• Play a significant part in continuing to develop our school.
• Be part of a wider community of Discovery Schools Trust.
• Free childcare.

Additional Perks

• Free parking.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Gym discounts.
• Eyecare vouchers.
• Dental support.
• Retail discounts.
• Annual incremental pay increases within the pay scale.

Equal Opportunities & Accessibility

We welcome enquiries from everyone and value diversity in our workforce.
Applications are welcome from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity, ethnic origin, disability, age or sexual orientation. If you require assistance completing your application, please contact hrsupport@discoverytrust.org for support.

Depending on your role, occasional travel between Discovery locations may be required. A valid driving license and appropriate business insurance are necessary, and you will need to provide evidence of these documents

More about Discovery Schools Trust

Discovery Schools Trust is dedicated to improving learning and teaching by creating a culture that promotes excellence. The needs of all children are placed at the heart of all decision making regardless of the school they attend. Teaching and learning excellence are shared through learning networks, sharing of ideas and materials as well as leading practitioners between schools. Discovery has developed a school improvement system which focuses on improving outcomes for all children. It also places staff development, talent management and succession planning at the heart of achieving outstanding organisations.

Please note that interviews for this position may be made earlier than the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is identified. Therefore, we encourage interested applicants to submit their applications promptly. Early submission will not only ensure consideration for the position but also increase the likelihood of being invited for an interview. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to receiving your application.

Safeguarding Statement

We are committed to safeguarding our pupils; therefore, the successful applicant will require an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and references.

AI

While we acknowledge the advantages of AI in crafting personal statements for applications, we strongly encourage and expect applicants to personalise and tailor responses. Please note that the Trust may utilise AI checking solutions during the application review process and will be considered when shortlisting.

Apply Now!
If you are ready to make a difference in children's lives, apply today!

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Discovery Schools Academies Trust Ltd

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: Discovery Schools Academies Trust Ltd website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/discovery-schools-academies-trust-ltd

Discovery Schools Academy Trust is a multi academy trust of 13 primary schools and 2 special school dedicated to improving learning and teaching by creating a culture that promotes excellence.
The needs of all children are placed at the heart of all decision making regardless of the school they attend. Teaching and learning excellence is shared through learning networks, sharing of ideas and materials as well as leading practitioners between schools. Discovery has developed a school improvement system which focuses on improving outcomes for all children. It also places staff development, talent management and succession planning at the heart of achieving outstanding organisations.

Head office location

Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed

Find more school jobs in Leicester