In everything we do:
We grow thriving, successful We lead our people to excellence. We change our community and country for the better.
Federation Leadership Role | Grade 9 | Fixed Term (up to 2 years initially)
Lead with purpose. Shape culture. Help people thrive.
We are looking for an exceptional Head of People to join our federation: a values-driven community where relationships matter, people feel a strong sense of belonging, and both adults and children are supported to thrive.
This is a unique opportunity to play a central role in shaping the culture of our schools. Working alongside the Executive Headteacher and senior leaders, you will help us build an environment where staff feel valued, families feel welcomed, and every member of our community is connected by a shared purpose.
About Our Federation
We are proud to be a federation rooted in strong relationships, collaboration and continuous improvement. We believe that when we invest in people – our staff, our families and our communities – we create the conditions for children to flourish.
Our work is grounded in:
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Inclusion and belonging – everyone is welcome and valued
- Wellbeing and care – for both children and adults
- High expectations and support – enabling everyone to do their very best
- Partnership with families and community
The Role
As a key member of our Senior Leadership Team, you will lead and connect four vital areas of our work:
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Colleague engagement, wellbeing and culture
- Leadership and development of ancillary teams
- Family and community engagement
- The ongoing development of a positive, inclusive workplace culture
This role is both strategic and practical: shaping vision while ensuring excellence in the day-to-day experiences of staff, pupils and families.
What You Will Bring
You will be someone who understands that culture is not a document – it is something built daily through relationships, conversations and actions.
You will:
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Help build strong, trusting relationships across all staff groups
- Champion staff wellbeing, workload and professional fulfilment
- Lead and support our ancillary teams to deliver high-quality, efficient services
- Strengthen how we engage with families and the wider community
- Ensure systems and processes are fair, consistent and rooted in our values
Above all, you will help us create a workplace where people feel heard, supported and proud to belong.
Who We Are Looking For
We are seeking a leader who is:
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Values-driven, empathetic and highly relational
- Confident in leading people, managing complexity and influencing others
- Skilled in HR practice, including recruitment, wellbeing, performance and employee relations
- Calm, resilient and able to navigate challenging situations with professionalism and care
- Organised, solution-focused and able to lead multiple priorities effectively A CIPD Level 7 qualification (or working towards it) would be highly beneficial.
Why Join Us?
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Be part of a supportive, collaborative federation
- Work in an environment where people genuinely matter
- Help shape a culture that impacts not just staff, but children and families
- Contribute to meaningful work across schools and the wider community
- Work flexibly, with a role that can evolve as our federation continues to grow
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Grade: 9
- Contract: Fixed term, up to two years initially
- Start Date: To be agreed
- Flexible working patterns considered
- Enhanced DBS required
Join Us
If you are passionate about people, believe in the power of strong relationships, and want to make a genuine difference across a whole school community, we would love to hear from you. Come and help us build a place where everyone – adults and children alike – can truly thrive.
You must demonstrate how you meet the Essential criteria listed in the attached Person Specification in order to secure an interview: How to apply Guidance for applicants Torfaen County Borough Council.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. A comprehensive screening process will be undertaken on all successful applicants, which will include an Enhanced check with the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Torfaen County Borough Council strives to be a fair, supportive and effective employer. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. The Council expects all employees, paid or unpaid, to share this commitment. We value the range of experiences that a diverse workforce brings and therefore we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and under-represented groups.
Welsh Language Skills are desirable for this post but not essential. You are welcome to submit your application in English or in Welsh. Each application will be treated equally.
We are a registered Disability Confident Leader and are committed to the employment and career development of disabled people. Our Guaranteed Interview scheme guarantees that people with disabilities will be invited to interview, so long as they meet the essential requirements for the role. If you have a health condition, are neurodivergent, or use British sign language, and need to discuss reasonable adjustments, please contact the recruiting manager. We can only work with you to arrange adjustments if we are made aware of your requirements prior to your application submission, test or interview.
Please ensure that you only apply for this position via Torfaen Council’s vacancies website. CVs and applications submitted to any other websites are not received by us.
