Business Partner - People and Culture

Role Overview

This role operates as a true people partner for school leadership teams, turning workforce plans into practical actions that keep teaching and support staff engaged, fairly managed, and aligned with the schools’ educational goals. On a regular basis, you will move between strategic conversations on structure and talent, hands-on recruitment, disciplinary and grievance casework, and data reviews that reveal where people risks or capability gaps exist. By joining these threads together, you help Makini Schools run smoothly, stay compliant with Kenyan labour requirements, and build a positive, consistent culture across all campuses.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted adviser to principals and school managers, helping them shape team structures, plan workforce needs, and address talent and performance issues before they escalate.
• Oversee recruitment for both teaching and support roles, working with hiring managers to define job requirements, agree sourcing approaches, and run fair, inclusive selection processes that end in a smooth onboarding experience.
• Provide authoritative, practical guidance on employee relations—from investigations and disciplinary hearings to grievances and conflict resolution—ensuring every case is handled consistently, legally, and with care.
• Own the Strategic Workforce Planning cycle: gather and interpret people data, identify current and future skills gaps, and present clear, actionable findings to the Regional People & Culture Director.
• Support performance management across schools by coaching managers on setting expectations, giving honest feedback, and conducting productive talent and development conversations.
• Design and drive initiatives that improve employee engagement, wellness, retention, recognition, diversity, and inclusion, while keeping communication clear during change.
• Maintain accurate HR records, collaborate with payroll and finance on data integrity, prepare monthly people metrics for management decision-making, and support compliance audits and policy updates.
• Contribute to wider People & Culture projects, HR system improvements, and due diligence activities during any merger or acquisition work involving the organisation.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, Industrial Psychology, Organisational Development, or a directly related field.
• A postgraduate qualification in HR, Labour Relations, Business Administration, or Organisational Development is considered an advantage.
• A Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP-K) qualification or an equivalent professional HR certification is preferred.
• Solid working knowledge of Kenyan employment legislation, including the practical application of labour law to disciplinary processes, grievances, and terminations.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse people data, spot trends, and translate findings into practical recommendations for leaders.
• Strong stakeholder management and coaching skills, with comfort advising senior educational leaders on sensitive or complex people matters.
• Experience running recruitment, performance management, and employee engagement activities in a multi-team or multi-site environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, attention to detail in record-keeping, and familiarity with HR information systems.