People Manager

Cygnus Academies Trust, Swanscombe, DA10 0BU

18 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  May/June 2026

• Closing date

  30 March 2026 at 12:59am

• Date listed

  12 March 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: £45,672.00 - £51,489.00 Annually (Actual)

People Manager job summary

Grade: Kent Scheme - KSI
Base: Cygnus Academies Trust - Shared Services (Kent) with travel across our schools
Contract: 37 hours per week/ 52 weeks per year, permanent
Salary: Kent Scheme I (£45,672 to £51,489)
Closing date: Sunday 29th March 11.59pm
Interviews: Thursday 2nd April 2026

We’re looking for an experienced and forward thinking People Manager to shape a workplace where every member of staff can thrive — because when our people flourish, our pupils do too.

As part of Cygnus Academies Trust, you’ll lead a small but ambitious HR team and play a central role in building a positive, supportive and high performing culture across our schools. This is a role with real variety, real influence, and real impact.

What makes this role exciting?

• You’ll lead on people strategy, wellbeing and retention, contributing to developing the Trust as an employer of choice.
• You’ll be a trusted partner to our senior leaders, shaping decisions and improving the staff experience.
• You’ll help us grow and strengthen our Trust, supporting leaders with recruitment, workforce planning and future talent.
• You’ll bring expertise in employee relations and create consistent, fair and confident leadership practice across schools.
• You will work collaboratively with the wider HR team to develop, refine, and embed efficient, consistent, and future‑focused HR practices across the Trust
• Provide oversight of payroll and pension administration, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and effective alignment with Trust policies and statutory requirements.

What we’re looking for:

Someone who:

• Is CIPD Level 5 (or above) with strong HR leadership experience.
• Thrives in a role that balances strategy, operational delivery and relationship building.
• Brings confidence and calm to HR matters, including ER casework.
• Understands (or is keen to learn) the education landscape.
• Has a positive, solutions focused approach and wants to ensure the work environment is supportive for others.

If you’re passionate about people, improvement and building healthy organisational cultures, you’ll feel at home here.

For an informal discussion about the role, please do not hesitate to get in touch. To apply, click the fast apply button to complete your application form today.

Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive, candidates may be invited to interview as applications are received; therefore, early application is strongly encouraged as the position may close early should a suitable candidate be found.

If you would prefer the application pack in a different format, please get in touch.

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 Cygnus Academies Trust

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

We are a group of friendly, like-minded schools, working together in the best interest of all our children.

Driven by a desire to collaborate at every level, with an emphasis on staff development and opportunities for all.

Cygnus Academies Trust schools really are a fantastic place to work and learn. Our approach is to allow all schools to retain and celebrate their uniqueness.

While ensuring; great teaching and learning, strong leadership and management, effective local governance, curriculum expertise, visionary business and financial management.

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