People Services (HR) Manager

Salary range: £40,219 - £45,266 per annum

Full-time, all year-round, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Permanent

To start Spring 2026

The role

Are you an experienced people management professional looking for an exciting new opportunity within a leading independent school? We are seeking a CIPD-qualified professional who can make a positive impact in a people-focused, collaborative environment and integrate seamlessly into a busy team. In this role, you will work closely with the Head of People to deliver a high-quality HR service, including employee relations, performance management and the overall employee lifecycle, with a particular focus on recruitment and onboarding. You will help provide a professional and engaging HR experience for both current and prospective colleagues, while building exemplary working relationships and ensuring that we remain an employer of choice. You will also play a key role in recruitment and retention, supporting the full recruitment cycle, maintaining the integrity of HRIS and payroll information and delivering timely reporting. Additionally, you will oversee people-based operations and administration, ensuring our systems are accurate, efficient and compliant, while helping colleagues perform to their full potential and ensuring staff are paid accurately and on time.

About you

We are looking for an individual with a CIPD Level 5 qualification (or working towards this), with extensive HR/People Management experience, ideally in a generalist business partner role. You will demonstrate excellent knowledge of employment law, strong communication skills and the ability to handle sensitive matters with tact, discretion and confidentiality. The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment is also essential, as is an expert eye for detail and an understanding of compliance and regulatory requirements.

Benenden is one of the leading day and boarding schools in Britain. We were founded in 1923 and are situated in 250 acres of attractive parkland in Kent. There are 550 girls in the school, aged 11-18, with 190 of those in the Sixth Form. Benenden is at the forefront of girls’ education in the UK, with recent innovations including the Benenden Diploma, a bespoke curriculum for our youngest two-year groups, and the Professional Skills Programme, teaching the Sixth Form skills for the workplace. We are an ambitious school, with recent developments including a state-of-the-art Science Centre and all-weather sports pitch, and the newly established Centenary Hall and Sir David K.P. Li Music School.

At Benenden we know that everyone brings a unique perspective that adds to our community. We want to attract, retain and develop diverse talent, so that we are a great school, this means recruiting from the widest possible pool of talent. Benenden offers its own generous pay structure, responsibility allowances and benefits. Staff are provided with meals whilst on duty, catering for all tastes and dietary requirements. The school’s leisure facilities, including wonderful grounds, a fitness gym and swimming pool are also available for staff to use.

For a full job description and to apply, please click the apply button. Completed applications should be received by 9:00 am on Tuesday 7th April 2026. Please direct any informal enquiries to recruitment@benenden.school. Please note CVs are not accepted in isolation. Benenden School is committed to equal opportunities and equal pay for all employees. The post-holder will be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children with whom they come into contact. They must ensure compliance with the School’s Child Protection Policy Statement at all times, this appointment will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks.