Head of HR

Head of HR

Job Title: Head of Human Resources 

Location: Watford
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

About the Role

Engage Education is currently working in partnership with a forward-thinking and inclusive school seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Human Resources to lead and develop the HR function across the organisation. This is a key leadership role supporting the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team in delivering excellent staffing, culture, and compliance across the school.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the full HR function across the school, ensuring a high-quality, compliant and efficient HR service.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team, and Governors on all HR matters.
• Oversee all employee relations cases including disciplinary, grievance, capability, attendance, and performance management.
• Manage the full employee lifecycle including recruitment, safer recruitment checks, onboarding, and offboarding.
• Ensure all HR policies and procedures are up to date, compliant with employment law, and aligned with safeguarding requirements.
• Support workforce planning and organisational development to meet the strategic needs of the school.
• Oversee staff records, contracts, and HR systems ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and GDPR compliance.
• Lead on staff wellbeing, engagement, retention, and culture improvement initiatives.
• Manage absence reporting and contribute to strategies to reduce staff absence and improve wellbeing.
• Coordinate training and professional development, ensuring statutory and professional learning needs are met.
• Support restructures, change management processes, and organisational development projects.
• Prepare HR reports, workforce data, and analysis for senior leaders and governing bodies.
• Ensure robust safer recruitment practices are consistently applied.
• Liaise with external HR providers, occupational health, and legal advisors where required.

About You

• Proven experience in a senior HR leadership role.
• CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 qualification (or equivalent experience).
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience managing complex employee relations cases confidently and professionally.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Experience within a school, academy, or public sector environment is highly desirable.
• Ability to work sensitively and confidentially in a safeguarding-focused environment.

Safeguarding & Compliance

Engage Education and the school are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants must be willing to undergo an enhanced DBS check, online checks, and provide satisfactory references in line with safer recruitment practices.

About Engage Education

Engage Education is a trusted education recruitment partner, working with schools across the UK to place high-quality teaching and support staff. We are committed to matching talented professionals with roles where they can make a real impact.

About you

• Experience working within a school environment
• A valid DBS on the DBS update service
• Be available to interview and start immediately

About us

We are Engage Education Services, the most trusted education recruitment agency.

• Get paid in line with AWR
• Your own dedicated consultant
• Do you have friends or colleagues looking for work? Invite friends to join us & earn a £50 Amazon voucher when they work 5 days!
• Wellbeing support, travel discounts, and retail offers from our partners

How to apply

You can apply for this role below or get in touch with us directly. All applicants require the appropriate qualifications.

If you are not contacted within 2 working days, unfortunately, you have been unsuccessful in this role.

All candidates must have a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before starting work. Full assistance provided.

By applying for this role, you are consenting to Engage Education Ltd storing your details in our fully encrypted database, in line with the GDPR requirements.