HR Manager

The HR Manager role is a key leadership position with significant influence across the school, providing strategic advice to senior leaders while delivering an efficient, professional and people-centred HR service. Reporting to the Bursar and working closely with the Headmaster and Finance Director, the successful candidate will lead HR strategy, compliance and operations across the school.

The HR Manager will be responsible for:

• Developing and delivering an HR strategy aligned with the School Development Plan, ensuring a coherent, efficient and forward-looking HR service.
• Leading employment compliance including safer recruitment, SCR oversight, UKVI requirements and policy governance.
• Managing recruitment and workforce planning across teaching, support and overseas programmes, ensuring an excellent candidate experience.
• Advising, coaching and supporting managers and heads of department on employee relations matters, helping to foster a positive, high-trust culture.
• Overseeing payroll, pensions, employee benefits and annual reviews in partnership with the Finance Officer.
• Maintaining HR systems, ensuring data integrity, insight and operational excellence.
• Promoting staff wellbeing, inclusion and engagement through initiatives, forums and staff feedback mechanisms.

The successful candidate will have:

• A degree relevant to HR and/or CIPD qualification (Level 5 minimum).
• Demonstrable experience of HR leadership in a service focused environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law, safer recruitment and HR best practice.
• Experience advising senior leaders on complex people matters.
• Excellent communication, judgement, influencing and organisational skills.
• Warmth, integrity and professionalism, together with a genuine commitment to the values and ethos of Summer Fields.

Summer Fields is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.