Group Director of People

The Opportunity

Role Introduction

Lord Wandsworth College (LWC) is a distinctive and ambitious co-educational boarding and day school set within 1,200 acres of Hampshire countryside. Founded in 1922 with a philanthropic mission to widen opportunity, LWC educates pupils aged 11–18 and, through its partnership with St Neot’s School, offers a continuous educational journey from 2 to 18. At its heart is a clear and compelling mission: We Widen Worlds. This is achieved by creating an environment in which young people develop the character, confidence and curiosity to shape their own futures.

LWC is entering an exciting new phase. Building on a decade of strong momentum and its successful collaboration with St Neot’s, the LWC Group looks ahead with confidence and ambition for further growth. Across both schools, staff are central to this success, bringing professionalism, care and a deep commitment to delivering an exceptional education.

LWC now seeks an outstanding Group Director of People to help shape this next chapter. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and working closely with the Head and Senior Leadership Team, the Group Director of People will lead a coherent, forward-looking people strategy across the Group, ensuring that culture, capability and leadership remain at the heart of its ambitions.

This is a broad and influential role. The Group Director of People will lead the people function across the LWC Group, overseeing a central team and ensuring a consistent, high-quality service. As a trusted adviser to senior leaders and Governors, they will provide expert guidance on complex people matters while driving organisational development, workforce planning and leadership capability.

The successful candidate will bring a strong track record of senior HR leadership from a complex stakeholder environment, with the ability to operate both strategically and operationally. An accomplished relationship builder, they will influence at the highest levels and engage effectively across a diverse organisation. Experience of driving organisational change, developing leadership capability and handling complex employee relations issues will be essential. Experience in education or a similarly values-led environment would be advantageous.

They will also bring strong personal qualities, including integrity, sound judgement and discretion, alongside a clear alignment with the values and mission of the LWC Group. Combining pragmatism with ambition, they will have the credibility to contribute at senior level and a genuine commitment to wellbeing, inclusion and safeguarding.

This is a rare opportunity to lead the people agenda across a growing organisation, shaping the culture and leadership that will underpin its future success.