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People and Culture Lead at Aga Khan Academy
Aga Khan Academy
September 12, 2026
Full-time
On-site
Role Summary:
The People and Culture Lead provides strategic and operational leadership for the people agenda at Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa. As a member of the Academy Leadership Team, the role serves as a trusted advisor and thought partner to school leaders on people, culture, organisational effectiveness and employee experience. The role also contributes to selected Kenya-wide HR initiatives and projects, supporting the broader strategic priorities of Aga Khan Schools in Kenya.
Key Responsibilities:
Serve as a member of the Academy Leadership Team and trusted advisor to the Head of Academy and school leaders on people, culture and organisational matters.
Lead workforce planning, recruitment and selection, onboarding and talent acquisition to attract and retain the talent required to achieve the Academy's strategic objectives.
Support organisational change and provide guidance on people-related implications, implementation and organisational effectiveness.
Lead initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, wellbeing, psychological safety and organisational culture, including staff listening, engagement surveys and recognition programmes.
Lead talent management, succession planning, leadership development, learning and development, training needs analysis and management capability-building initiatives.
Lead implementation of performance management processes, supporting goal setting, feedback, performance improvement and a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Provide expert guidance on employee relations, grievances and disciplinary matters, fostering constructive relationships and ensuring fairness, consistency and compliance.
Participate in labour relations processes and support implementation of relevant collective bargaining agreements.
Serve as the lead for adult safeguarding at the Academy and ensure compliance with employment legislation, organisational policies and safeguarding requirements.
Oversee HR service delivery across the employee lifecycle, ensuring consistent implementation of policies, procedures and service standards.
Partner with Finance on payroll inputs, benefits administration and employee records, while ensuring confidentiality and appropriate management of employee information.
Contribute to AKES, Kenya-wide HR strategies and lead designated HR initiatives, projects or functional portfolios as assigned by the Head of People & Culture.
The requirements
Qualifications and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, Organisational Development, Business Administration or a related field.
Master's degree in Human Resource Management, Organisational Development, Leadership, Education Management or a related discipline is preferred.
Professional HR qualification (CHRP-K, CIPD, SHRM, HRCI or equivalent) and full membership of the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM).
Minimum of 8 - 10 years' progressive HR experience, with at least 3 - 5 years in a management or senior HR leadership role.
Demonstrated experience partnering with senior leaders on people and organisational matters, with strong experience in employee relations, organisational development and culture-building.
Experience leading recruitment, performance management, talent development, organisational change and people-related projects.
Experience within an international school, IB environment, educational institution or mission-driven organisation is highly desirable.
Experience operating within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment is an advantage.
The People and Culture Lead provides strategic and operational leadership for the people agenda at Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa. As a member of the Academy Leadership Team, the role serves as a trusted advisor and thought partner to school leaders on people, culture, organisational effectiveness and employee experience. The role also contributes to selected Kenya-wide HR initiatives and projects, supporting the broader strategic priorities of Aga Khan Schools in Kenya.
Key Responsibilities:
Serve as a member of the Academy Leadership Team and trusted advisor to the Head of Academy and school leaders on people, culture and organisational matters.
Lead workforce planning, recruitment and selection, onboarding and talent acquisition to attract and retain the talent required to achieve the Academy's strategic objectives.
Support organisational change and provide guidance on people-related implications, implementation and organisational effectiveness.
Lead initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, wellbeing, psychological safety and organisational culture, including staff listening, engagement surveys and recognition programmes.
Lead talent management, succession planning, leadership development, learning and development, training needs analysis and management capability-building initiatives.
Lead implementation of performance management processes, supporting goal setting, feedback, performance improvement and a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Provide expert guidance on employee relations, grievances and disciplinary matters, fostering constructive relationships and ensuring fairness, consistency and compliance.
Participate in labour relations processes and support implementation of relevant collective bargaining agreements.
Serve as the lead for adult safeguarding at the Academy and ensure compliance with employment legislation, organisational policies and safeguarding requirements.
Oversee HR service delivery across the employee lifecycle, ensuring consistent implementation of policies, procedures and service standards.
Partner with Finance on payroll inputs, benefits administration and employee records, while ensuring confidentiality and appropriate management of employee information.
Contribute to AKES, Kenya-wide HR strategies and lead designated HR initiatives, projects or functional portfolios as assigned by the Head of People & Culture.
The requirements
Qualifications and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, Organisational Development, Business Administration or a related field.
Master's degree in Human Resource Management, Organisational Development, Leadership, Education Management or a related discipline is preferred.
Professional HR qualification (CHRP-K, CIPD, SHRM, HRCI or equivalent) and full membership of the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM).
Minimum of 8 - 10 years' progressive HR experience, with at least 3 - 5 years in a management or senior HR leadership role.
Demonstrated experience partnering with senior leaders on people and organisational matters, with strong experience in employee relations, organisational development and culture-building.
Experience leading recruitment, performance management, talent development, organisational change and people-related projects.
Experience within an international school, IB environment, educational institution or mission-driven organisation is highly desirable.
Experience operating within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment is an advantage.