Job Description

Crosfields School is seeking a highly organised and proactive HR Manager to oversee the daily HR operations and provide strategic guidance to school leadership. The successful candidate will work effectively with the HR Coordinator to ensure that the institution attracts, retains, and nurtures high-performing staff while fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.

Job Purpose

The HR Manager will be responsible for all HR matters and will provide effective HR support and administration to the school community. Our ideal candidate will bring professional expertise, compassion, objectivity and innovation to the role. They will provide specialist advice, guidance and support on a wide range of people management, recruitment and regulatory issues. An excellent understanding of the importance of safeguarding and confidentiality within the scope of this role is essential alongside outstanding organisational and interpersonal skills.

Objectives

Provide best practice HR advice in accordance with employment legislation and safeguarding requirements. Lead on the full employee lifecycle. Promote a positive, inclusive, and supportive work environment with a focus on safeguarding. Manage all employee relations. To oversee and evaluate HR administration and HR processes including the line management of the HR Coordinator.

Accountabilities

Recruitment

Lead on staff recruitment including ensuring that it is carried out in line with extant DfE Keeping Children Safe in Education and wider safer recruitment practice. Responsible for the maintenance and accuracy of the Single Central Record.

Employee Relations

Complex HR matters

Advise and support Line Managers and Senior Leadership Team when addressing complex staff issues. Co-ordinate and manage casework involving performance management, dispute resolutions, disciplinary matters, grievances, absence, retirement and restructures. Support change management within the school.
Support

Support members of staff and Line Managers with requests for exceptional leave, flexible working and other variations to normal working patterns. Support members of staff, and their Line Managers, returning to work after a period of absence. Inform and support Line Managers in respect of topical HR issues.
Policies and Practice

Monitor and review employment policies, procedures, guidelines and employment handbook and implement changes as required by a change in legalisation, best practice or school policy. Develop and implement HR initiatives aligned with the school's development goals. Maintain good working relationships with the school's legal advisers and other HR practitioners in schools.
Pay and Pensions

Provide first-line advice on current and existing benefits for members of staff and Line Managers. Collate and prepare variations to pay on a monthly basis for Payroll. Advise and support auto-enrolment for pensions.

HR Administration

Maintain timely, accurate and complete staff records that are compliant with current employment law, ISI requirements and GDPR. Maintain and develop the use of Every HR and ISAMS and other IT tools as key resources for streamlining HR processes. Manage maternity, paternity, adoption, parental leave and sick leave administration. Maintain and manage staff absence records including termly reports for the Board. Follow up on GP reports, liaise with Occupational Health for referrals, manage income protection and private healthcare applications. Provide data and trend analysis in respect of key HR indicators for example absences, salaries, gender pay gap, and diversity to support wider decision-making. Manage statutory returns e.g. workforce census.

Qualifications and Training

HR Qualification (ideally CIPD Level 7), or equivalent experience Evidence of ongoing CPD

Experience

Experience working in a regulated environment; working in a similar role in a school would be highly advantageous Evidence of continuous professional development and deep understanding of imminent employment law changes Working in a dedicated HR team providing support and advice across the full range of people management matters. Current knowledge of employment legislation and practice alongside real-life experience of its application within the workplace. Outstanding interpersonal skills, ability to empathise and buy-in to a coaching culture. Experience of managing a small team and working in support of others. Ability to be proactive, work independently and meet deadlines Strong organisational skills and confidence in managing multiple work streams concurrently.

Person Specification

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with staff at all levels Highly organised, proactive, and able to work under pressure A strong sense of confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical responsibility Ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines effectively A commitment to promoting diversity, equality, and well-being in the workplace
Crosfields School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. For further information, please see here Guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 .

As a result of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, employers now have to verify that new recruits who are not British nationals are eligible to work in this country. Therefore, any applicant who is offered an interview will asked to provide official documentation to verify their ID, address and right to work in the UK. It is also normal practice for the School to ask for original qualifications and professional membership documents to be presented at interview as detailed on the application form.

Crosfields School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers, online checks and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Further information on our recruitment processes can be found on our website: Crosfields School Recruitment Policy.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

Company pension Discounted or free food On-site parking
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Application question(s):

Do you hold a CIPD or equivalent experience?
Education:

Bachelor's (preferred)
Experience:

HR: 5 years (preferred)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 30/04/2025