Senior HR Advisor

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time, Monday to Friday (8am 5pm)

We are seeking a dynamic and detail oriented Senior HR Advisor to lead HR for several client groups within our large, multi site independent school. This is a truly hands on role where you'll take ownership of the full employee lifecycle, from day to day HR administration and compliance to employee relations and strategic improvement projects. If you thrive on variety and want to make a tangible impact while advancing your HR career, this opportunity is for you.

As the first point of contact for staff queries, you'll manage everything from contracts and absence to policy updates and HR systems, while playing a key role in shaping the future of our HR function. Expect a mix of administrative work and more complex HR challenges, including supporting managers with employee relations cases and contributing to reward benchmarking, along with the chance to influence culture, compliance, and staff experience.

As our HR function evolves, you'll have the opportunity to grow into a more senior role with broader strategic responsibilities, making this an excellent career building position for an ambitious HR professional. This is a fast paced and varied role that will suit someone highly organised, resilient and confident managing competing priorities. You will make a meaningful contribution to staff experience, well being, and organisational culture while developing your HR expertise across all areas of the employee lifecycle.

The Department

At Highgate, our HR team is on an exciting journey of transformation. Our vision is to build a trusted, people centred HR function that supports every member of our school community to succeed, now and in the future.

• Reliable and compliant - safeguarding records and ensuring integrity across all schools.
• Supportive and empowering - fostering well being, inclusion, and respect.
• Efficient and modern - leveraging digital systems and data driven insights.
• Strategic and forward looking - anticipating future staffing needs and shaping culture.
• A trusted partner - providing professional, accessible advice and acting as a stable pillar in a dynamic environment.

What this looks like in practice: over the next few years, we are implementing digital first HR processes, standardising staff records, and building a robust data foundation to inform workforce planning and improve staff experience. We aim to deliver a responsive HR service that is easy, transparent, and consistent, while driving initiatives that enhance well being, inclusion, and professional growth.

By joining us, you'll play a key role in building strong, efficient HR processes and helping us evolve into a strategic partner that shapes culture, talent, and leadership for the future.

Main Responsibilities Employee Lifecycle

• Act as first point of contact for all HR queries (contracts, terms, pay/benefits, leave, flexible working, etc.).
• Manage absence and leave: sickness, annual leave, family leave, special leave, return to work, and long term absence tracking.
• Handle contract changes, promotions, working pattern modifications, and flexible working arrangements.
• Maintain accurate personnel records and data: contracts, amendments, safeguarding checks, training records, benefits, and contact details.
• Manage exit processes: resignations, retirements, leaver administration, payroll liaison, and system updates.
• Provide employee relations support for informal grievances, performance or attendance issues, investigations, and disciplinary hearings, escalating complex cases as needed.
• Support staff well being and welfare queries, acting as an approachable and trusted HR contact.
• Carry out reward & benefits benchmarking checks as and when queries arise.
• Operate and maintain the HRIS or equivalent database for your group, ensuring accurate data entry and reporting.
• Produce routine HR reports: headcount, absence statistics, compliance audits, and workforce data for leadership.

Strategic, Compliance & HR Improvement

• Audit existing staff files and records, identify gaps, and lead remediation.
• Standardise and consolidate personnel records (digital/paper), ensuring data protection and safeguarding compliance.
• Manage compliance obligations: background checks, safer recruitment documentation, training renewals, and regulatory requirements.
• Review and maintain HR policies and staff handbook materials relevant to your client group.
• Support implementation and maintenance of HRIS or other digital HR systems, including data migration and workflow configuration.
• Work with leadership to embed staff development, well being, and inclusion initiatives.
• Contribute to workforce planning aligned with the school's development strategy.
• Provide HR insight and data to support senior leadership decision making.

General

• Provide excellent (internal and external) customer service and build strong relationships.
• Ensure confidentiality of all written and verbal communication.
• Assist other members of the HR Team or with other HR Projects as required.
• Maintain up to date awareness of current employment law, best practice issues and changes to KCSIE and ISI guidelines that are relevant to the role.

Person Specification Qualifications / Professional Bodies

• Essential: Strong academics that demonstrate learning agility.
• Desirable: CIPD Level 5.

Experience

• Essential: Demonstrable experience working in an HR role in a similar setting; extensive use of HR/MIS Systems; experience of telephone, video calls, email and face to face contact with stakeholders.
• Desirable: Previous HR experience in a regulated or complex multi site environment.

Skills / Knowledge

• Essential: Relevant HR qualification or demonstrable HR experience; previous experience of handling ER casework independently; strong knowledge of UK employment law; strong verbal reasoning and critical thinking skills; strong drafting skills; excellent organisational and record keeping skills with meticulous attention to detail; strong interpersonal and communication skills, confident engaging with staff at all levels; ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently across operational and strategic tasks; IT literate with experience using HRIS/databases and common office software; a pragmatic, hands on approach - willing to deliver administrative tasks as well as higher level HR challenges; integrity, discretion, resilience, and commitment to safeguarding and fairness; familiarity with staff development, performance management, and well being initiatives.
• Desirable: Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding policies; good understanding of GDPR and data protection principles; familiarity with SharePoint and intranet platforms; project management skills for HR improvement or compliance projects.

Personal Attributes

• Essential: Strong customer focus; energetic and approachable with excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills; ability to build and maintain strong relationships; flexible with a 'can do' approach and able to work effectively and use initiative; a proactive approach to work, and meeting targets; an ability to identify process improvement needs and suggest solutions; the ability to maintain in strictest confidence any information received concerning School matters; demonstrates professionalism and integrity as an ambassador for the School.
• Desirable: Interest in change management and internal communications; interest in HRIS implementation and digital HR systems.

Location

Highgate Village, adjacent to Hampstead Heath, with quaint shops and easy connections across London.

Benefits

• Pension: AVIVA workplace pension scheme offered with a generous 26% employer contribution, with the ability to flex up to 16% of this as additional non pensionable salary, employees contribute a minimum of 5%.
• Personal development: Comprehensive induction support for new staff. Focus on continued professional development for all employees.
• Leisure facilities: Free access, at stipulated times, to our sports facilities, including a fitness suite and swimming pool (recently refurbished).
• Lunch: Complimentary lunch.
• Sustainable travel: Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and a Season Ticket Loan scheme for public transport.
• Family friendly policies: Enhanced maternity pay (8 weeks' full pay, then 10 weeks' half pay) and paid dependant leave.