Executive Director of People
Northern Lights Learning Trust, Sunderland, SR3 2RE12 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
21 November 2025 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
20 October 2025
Job details
Job role
- Administration, HR, data and finance
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time: 37 hours per week
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £58,946- £64,997
What skills and experience we're looking for
Due to the growth of our Trust, we are seeking to appoint to a new position of Executive Director of People within Northern Lights.
The position is available to begin as soon as possible. We are looking for a dynamic leader who understands the value and power of proactive HR – who wants to make a difference to the lives of our staff and children, and is looking to work in a people-centred way.
We have a vision to be creative and innovative and are looking for the right person who can make our HR offer to our schools the highest level of service, deliver strategically on HR across Northern Lights, and play a key role in the Trust as a member of the Executive team.
Our Trust values underpin our Trust vision and mission ‘That everyone flourishes, with children and young people at the heart of all we do’.
If you are looking to join a people-centred Trust who play a key role in the region, employing around 600 staff, with this figure projected to rise due to further planned Trust growth, then please contact us to arrange a conversation with the CEO, Jo Heaton OBE on recruitment@nllt.co.uk
What the school offers its staff
In return you will receive:
- A supportive working environment that puts people at the heart of the organisation
- The opportunity to work as part of a growing Trust and shape this role
- Continuous professional development
- A range of Trust initiatives that improve wellbeing. Current initiatives include an annual wellbeing day.
- National Terms and Conditions of Employment
- Local Government Pension Scheme
Employee welfare and benefits package including:
- 24-hour GP access
- Nurse support service
- Mental health services, including stress management, mental health first aid training and bereavement support
- Free Flu vaccinations
- Counselling Services
- Physiotherapy
- Financial wellbeing coaching
- Maternity and Paternity support
- Menopause support
- Access to useful wellbeing resources
- Cycle to work scheme
- Lifestyle savings including discounts on shops, food and drink and days out
Further information about the job
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
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Northern Lights Learning Trust
- Type
- Multi-academy trust
- Email address
- recruitment@nllt.co.uk
Arranging a visit to Northern Lights Learning Trust
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@nllt.co.uk.
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