HR Manager required in an independent school in Chislehurst

HR Manager required in an independent school in Chislehurst
I am working with an independent school in Chislehurst and they’re looking for a HR Manager to start in January 2027 or sooner.

35 hours per week, Monday to Friday – Term time plus 7 weeks

Actual Salary Range: £44,051 to £49,117 (dependant on experience)

We are seeking to appoint an experienced, Human Resources Manager to provide strategic leadership and operational management of the schools HR function. You will work closely with the Head, Bursar and other members of the Senior Management Team to ensure the effective management of all HR matters across the school.

The successful candidate will have:

• Experience in a similar HR role with practical knowledge of employment law and employee relations

• Strong business, organisational and management skills with attention to detail

• The ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively under pressure

• A positive, approachable and professional manner

• Discretion and integrity when handling confidential, sensitive information

• Sound judgement and the confidence to make decisions

• Experience of drafting and implementing HR policies and procedures

• Excellent written, verbal and numerical skills

• Knowledge of HR information management databases such as iSAMS, PASS or similar

• Flexibility and a willingness to contribute across the school’s support functions

• The ability to build effective working relationships with staff at all levels.

You will be employed to work 35 hours per week, for 43 weeks per year. This will be term time including INSET

days (36 weeks) plus 7 additional weeks out of the 16 weeks in the holiday period. Normal working hours will

be Monday to Friday, initially 9.00am to 4.30pm with a 30 minute unpaid break.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Leadership

o Plan, develop, implement and regularly review HR strategies and procedures covering

o Recruitment and selection

o Employee relations

o Disciplinary and grievance procedures

o Pay and conditions of service

o Contracts of employment

o Training and development

o Succession planning

o Performance management

• Provide professional HR advice and guidance to the Head, Bursar, Senior Management Team, Heads of Department and line managers on all employment matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability and attendance issues.

• Attend Senior Management Team meetings as required.

• Ensure compliance with all current employment legislation and best practice.

Recruitment and Safeguarding

• Ensure the school follows safer recruitment procedures in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

• Oversee all recruitment and selection processes.

• Manage pre-employment checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearances.

• Issue contracts of employment and employment-related correspondence.

• Lead and maintain the school’s Single Central Register to ensure compliance with Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) requirements.

• Liaise with external HR advisers, employment lawyers and Occupational Health providers on complex employee relation matters as required.

Information Management and Safeguarding

• Maintain ownership and oversight of the school’s Single Central Register.

• Ensure compliance with safeguarding requirements relating to employee records and recruitment checks.

• Support preparation for ISI inspections and safeguarding audits.

• Help develop and implement any new school or MIST initiatives

Payroll Administration

• Maintain accurate payroll records and employee data, including salary information, payroll amendments and employment changes.

• Maintain records of monthly payroll variations, including:

o Flexible working arrangements

o Salary adjustments

o New starters

o Leavers

o Contractual changes

• Prepare and submit monthly payroll information to the Bursar and School Accountant within agreed deadlines.

• Ensure all payroll documentation is securely maintained and shared appropriately through the school’s systems.

• Liaise with the Bursar, School Accountant and payroll provider to ensure the accurate and timely processing of payroll.

• Ensure payroll submissions are completed and sent in accordance with all payroll deadlines.

Finance Administration

• Maintain accurate staffing budget records, including full-time equivalent (FTE) data, salary information, approved vacancies, new starters, leavers and contractual changes.

• Produce and maintain staffing establishment information to support budget planning and financial reporting.

• Assist the Bursar and School Accountant with staffing budget monitoring and workforce cost analysis.

• Respond to auditor enquiries relating to staffing costs, payroll and establishment data.

• Provide staffing information and analysis to support annual audits and financial returns, including MIST submissions.

• Ensure staffing records used for financial reporting are accurate, up to date and reconciled with payroll and HR records.

HR Administration

• Maintain accurate employee records on the school’s HR and management information systems, including iSAMS and PASS.

• Ensure all relevant personnel policies are available and maintained on Microsoft Teams.

• Review and update the Staff Handbook termly.

• Maintain accurate staff training records, working closely with the Deputy Head, IT Manager and Bursar’s PA.

• Develop, review and maintain the appraisal process for support staff.

• Ensure exit questionnaires are issued and reviewed for all leavers.

• Monitor support staff absence levels and take appropriate action where necessary.

Health and Safety

• Assist in implementing and monitoring the School’s Health and Safety Policy.

• Ensure compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act and related legislation.

• Attend Health and Safety Committee meetings.

• Report any accidents to RIDDOR when necessary

• Promote a positive health and safety culture throughout the school.

Compliance and Data Protection

• Support the Bursar and IT Manager in responding to:

o Subject Access Requests (SARs)

o Freedom of Information (FOI) requests

Wider School Responsibilities

• Provide support and cover for the Bursar across Finance, Estates, Catering, IT and HR functions a required.

• Undertake other duties appropriate to the role as may reasonably be required by the Head or Bursar.

Essential Personal Qualities

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Excellent written, verbal and numerical skills

• The ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively under pressure

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

• A positive, approachable and professional manner.

• Sound judgement and the confidence to make decisions

• Discretion and integrity when handling confidential, sensitive information

• Flexibility and a willingness to contribute across the school’s support functions

• The ability to build effective working relationships with staff at all levels.

Experience

Previous experience within a school environment would be advantageous but is not essential.

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• Experience in a HR role (Essential)

• Practical knowledge of employment law and employee relations (Essential)

• Strong business, organisational and management skills. (Essential)

• Experience drafting and implementing HR policies and procedures (Desirable)

• Knowledge of HR information systems (Essential) and management databases such as iSAMS, PAS or similar. (Desirable)

Qualifications

• Substantial relevant experience within a comparable HR management role. (Essential)

• Educated to degree level is desirable but not essential (Desirable)

• Part qualified or Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (MCIPD) or equivalent professional qualification. (Desirable)

• Opportunity to develop your qualifications, as training will be provided.