Job Description:

About the Role

A large multi‑academy trust is seeking a highly organised and detail‑focused HR Officer to join its central HR team on a maternity cover contract. This role is ideal for an HR professional who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, enjoys working across the full employee lifecycle, and is confident managing safeguarding‑linked compliance. You will play a key part in recruitment, onboarding, HR systems, payroll data accuracy, and ensuring the organisation meets statutory and safeguarding requirements. You will be required to work 36 hours per week, full year (52.14 weeks). This is not a term time only role.

Benefits

• Competitive salary (LBR 07, SP 23–25)
• Full‑year contract with stable working hours 8am to 4pm or 9am to 5pm
• Opportunity to gain broad HR generalist experience across multiple sites
• Exposure to HR systems, payroll processes, and safer recruitment compliance
• Supportive central services team including HR, MIS, Finance and Payroll
• Professional development within a large, multi‑site organisation

Key Responsibilities

• Support the full employee lifecycle including recruitment, onboarding, offboarding and HR administration.
• Apply safer recruitment principles and Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.
• Complete safeguarding checks: references, Enhanced DBS, qualifications, right‑to‑work.
• Maintain a fully compliant Single Central Register (SCR).
• Ensure personnel files and HR data are accurate, secure and compliant with legislation.
• Prepare payroll information and work closely with central services to ensure accuracy.
• Track probation periods, absence data and HR documentation.
• Maintain HR systems, electronic files and reporting dashboards with 100% accuracy.
• Support line managers with investigations, disciplinary processes and HR queries.
• Assist with statutory returns including the School Workforce Census and Gender Pay Gap reporting.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of HR processes and systems.

Requirements

• CIPD qualification or equivalent HR experience (Essential)
• Level 2 English, Maths and Science (Essential)
• Experience working in an HR team during change or growth (Essential)
• Strong understanding of HR best practice and employment law (Essential)
• Experience implementing or maintaining HR systems and procedures (Essential)
• Enhanced DBS with barred list checks (Essential)

How to Apply

If you are a committed HR professional looking for a varied and impactful role, we would love to hear from you.  Please submit your CV and cover letter as soon as possible, as the vacancy may close early depending on application volume.