People Officer School

Great HR is about judgement, relationships and making a difference when it matters.
Are you the HR person managers trust when a people issue becomes complicated? We are looking for an approachable, credible and people-focused People Officer who will be at the heart of our academy, supporting managers and employees through the moments that matter. From employee relations and sickness absence to wellbeing, payroll, appraisal and development, you will provide practical HR support that is clear, responsive and grounded in sound judgement.

Alongside your HR experience, you will bring hands-on experience of payroll administration, with the accuracy, attention to detail and organisation needed to ensure employee changes are processed correctly and on time. This is a role for someone who enjoys being close to the people they support. You will build trusted relationships, keep cases and processes moving, communicate proactively and help managers feel more confident in dealing with people matters well.

• Providing practical first-line HR advice to managers and employees on a wide range of day-to-day people matters
• Managing and supporting employee relations casework, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, conduct, performance and probation matters
• Supporting managers with short-term, long-term and complex sickness absence, attendance management and occupational health referrals.
• Helping managers identify the right approach where issues involve conduct, capability, attendance, wellbeing or development.
• Keeping cases moving, following up actions and making sure managers and employees know what is happening, what is expected of them and what comes next.
• Support the accurate and timely administration of payroll, including processing payroll changes, pensions admin & guidance, checking payroll data, liaising with managers and the payroll provider/team, resolving queries, and maintaining accurate records.
• Administration of the annual workforce census.
• Supporting appraisal, performance development and probation processes across the academy.
• Contributing to staff wellbeing activity and using casework, absence data and employee feedback to identify where additional support may be needed.
• Supporting CPD, learning and development activity and helping colleagues access opportunities to develop their skills.
• Preparing clear, accurate correspondence and maintaining high-quality confidential case records.
• Using People data to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Working closely with the wider People Team and colleagues in finance, IT, school administration and leadership to provide a joined-up service.

• Practical experience of advising managers and supporting employee relations matters.
• Experience of sickness absence and attendance management, including more complex or long‑term cases.
• Sound practical knowledge of UK employment law and HR good practice.
• Experience of supporting payroll administration.
• The judgement to know when to advise, when to challenge and when to be escalated.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, to explain HR processes clearly and sensitively.
• Strong organisation and attention to detail in managing competing cases, deadlines and priorities.
• A calm, professional and objective approach to sensitive or challenging situations.

• You are approachable and responsive. Managers and employees feel comfortable coming…