Head of Talent and Workforce Planning

Ormiston Academies Trust, Birmingham, B3 1SF

22 days remaining to apply

• Closing date

  12 November 2026 at 5pm

• Date listed

  8 October 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: £76,905.00 - £83,181.00 Annually (FTE)

Head of Talent and Workforce Planning job summary

Work where it matters most, achieve what matters more.

Be part of a team where passion meets purpose, working together where the challenge is greatest to change lives and build futures for children and young people.

Great schools depend on great people and getting the right people into our schools is one of the most direct ways to improve outcomes for young people. As Head of Talent and Workforce Planning, you will lead our work to find, develop and retain brilliant people in our Trust.

School recruitment can be challenging, and we want someone who sees that as a problem worth solving. Reporting to the National Director of People, you will build data-informed workforce planning that anticipates demand, lead our external recruitment for hard-to-hire roles, including shortage subjects and locations, and establish talent management and succession planning for our senior leaders.

You will champion data, technology and AI-powered tools, setting a new standard for how the Trust makes people decisions, and you will lead a small team, building their capability in data analysis and people planning.

Why you?

You are a strategic talent leader who is motivated by purpose and impact. You combine commercial thinking with a passion for people, using data, insight and innovation to solve workforce challenges. Ambitious, resilient and collaborative, you are excited by the opportunity to influence talent strategy at scale and help shape the future workforce of our Trust. You will have:

• Significant experience leading talent acquisition and, ideally, workforce planning in a large, complex organisation, with demonstrable impact.
• A track record of designing and implementing talent management strategies, including talent identification, succession planning and talent mapping, at scale. This experience is essential and can be drawn from any sector.
• Deep expertise in candidate markets for hard-to-fill roles, and experience of using people data, analytics and technology, including AI, to inform strategy and drive outcomes.
• A proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams, and of building trusted, high-quality relationships with senior stakeholders.

Experience of the education candidate market is highly desirable, but strong candidate market expertise from another complex or hard-to-fill context will also be welcomed.

Why our central team?

You will join our central People team at an exciting point in its development. You will work closely with the National Director of People, People Partners, our Directors of ITT and Professional Development, and school leaders across the Trust. This is a chance to shape an approach to talent that reaches every school and makes a lasting difference to the young people we serve. This is a Trust-wide role with a mix of home working, time in our Birmingham city centre office and visits to schools across the country.

Why Work for Ormiston?

Our vision is for a school system where every child thrives, regardless of background. Our people are at the heart of our approach - they are our greatest asset.

We exist to provide the best learning opportunities every day, in every school for every child. It is the people and teams in our Trust who make this a reality and ensure we have the greatest impact. If you join us at Ormiston, whatever your role, your work will have purpose and meaning.

Ormiston, where every member of staff enjoys…

• The opportunity to build on the legacy of those who came before - being part of one of the longest standing Trusts, created with the sole purpose of enabling children and young people to thrive
• Working for a Trust nationally recognised for its impact on disadvantaged children - a rewarding, stimulating career where staff are challenged to be the best they can be, for the pupils we are proud to serve
• A team and community where you belong - joining a well-resourced and ambitious network of experts and professionals that work at the heart of communities
• A supportive environment to grow your career - an extensive professional development programme, alongside flexible working arrangements and generous benefits

Benefits that care for you

We value your hard work and dedication, and we’re committed to ensuring you feel supported, both professionally and personally so that you are in the best position to make the most impact for the children and young people in our schools.

When you join us at Ormiston, you can be certain that your work will have purpose and meaning. You can also expect robust and holistic support from us to enable you to excel in your role.

You will have access to an attractive benefits package including:

• 30 days annual leave (rising to 32 days after 5 years’ service)
• Generous pension and life cover
• Access to health and well-being programmes, including a counselling service.
• Discounts on retail, travel and leisure through our benefits platform.
• Free and confidential legal, tax and health 24/7 helpline.
• Car scheme including electric vehicles
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Automatic pay progression.
• Flexible working arrangements

And much more as part of a leading multi-academy trust.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you share our commitment to helping every child thrive and want to join our team, we would love to hear from you.

All candidates are advised to refer to the Recruitment Pack attached before making an application.

Applications must be received by the published closing date. Early applications are welcomed, as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found. Please note, we do not accept CVs as a form of application.

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

OAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and the expectation is that all staff will share this commitment. Therefore, the successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS and barred list check.

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 Ormiston Academies Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: Ormiston Academies Trust website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/ormiston-academies-trust

We are a national education charity, underpinned by our founder, Peter Murray’s (Ormiston Trust) belief that every child should be given a chance to thrive. We serve pupils from many communities, all with their unique character, strengths, and challenges.

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