Location
Barking, Across Federation schools

Hours
35 hours per week, term time only plus 10 days working during school holiday periods

Salary
P04, £49,056 - £52,194 (Full Time) pro rata, likely to be between approximately £43,279 - £46,047 subject to experience, working days and continuous service

About the Role
Could you help us deliver an outstanding HR service across our Federation of schools? Our Federation brings schools together to share expertise and provide high-quality, efficient and sustainable services, while ensuring each school retains its own identity and character. As our Federation develops, we are strengthening our central services to support current schools and future growth.

We are looking for a friendly, professional and highly organised HR Manager to join our Central Federation Core Staff Leadership Team. This is a varied and trusted role for someone who is exceptionally efficient, enjoys making systems work well and can manage multiple priorities without losing sight of the detail.

Working under the direction of the School Business Manager, you will lead the day-to-day HR service across our schools and line manage the HR Officer. You will help ensure employees and leaders receive a responsive, supportive and consistent HR service, while maintaining high standards of accuracy, confidentiality and compliance.

The role includes responsibility for:
- Sickness absence and attendance management
- Employee records and HR systems
- General HR advice and support
- Management information and workforce reporting
- Staff engagement, wellbeing and retention
- Ensuring HR policies and procedures are applied consistently, fairly and transparently
- Supporting employee relations meetings, hearings and formal processes
- Working with Finance and Payroll colleagues to ensure employee information is accurate and timely
- Developing efficient, consistent and scalable HR systems and processes that can support future Federation growth

These areas build on the responsibilities already established within the current HR Manager role.

Experience
- Strong HR knowledge and experience with the ability to provide practical advice and guidance
- Experience working with multiple tasks, competing priorities and strict deadlines
- Familiarity with continuous improvement and Operational Excellence principles is desirable
- School experience would be helpful but is not essential

About you
- Friendly, approachable and professional
- Acts with absolute integrity, discretion and confidentiality
- Exceptionally organised, accurate and efficient
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
- Patience and interpersonal skills to support employees and managers sensitively and professionally
- Understands the importance of applying policy consistently and transparently
- Exercises sound judgement, recognises risk and knows when to escalate or seek specialist advice
- Excellent IT skills and confidence in developing systems, processes and using workforce data
- Enjoys improving the way services operate
- Takes ownership, follows things through and keeps senior leaders appropriately informed
- Works collaboratively and positively as part of a wider team

Qualifications
An HR qualification such as CIPD, or currently working towards one, would be desirable.

Additional Information
The Federation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Appointment will be subject to safer recruitment procedures and all appropriate pre-employment checks.