HR Manager in Sidmouth

Head of HR - Sidmouth, Devon - Permanent

Salary & Benefits package: £35,000 per annum
Location: Sidmouth, Devon
Contract: Permanent

Are you an experienced HR professional with a strong understanding of payroll, looking for a senior role where you can make a real difference within an education environment?

We are supporting the recruitment of a Head of HR & Payroll based in Sidmouth, Devon, offering the opportunity to take ownership of HR, payroll, safer recruitment and personnel administration within a school.

Working closely with the Head of School and Finance & Operations Manager, you'll play a key role in ensuring staff are recruited safely, supported effectively and paid accurately. This is a varied position combining strategic HR leadership with hands-on responsibility for payroll, employee relations, recruitment and compliance.

What You'll Be Doing

• Acting as a trusted adviser to the Head of School on HR matters, workforce planning and employment practice
• Providing advice and guidance to managers on employee relations, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence and performance matters
• Overseeing recruitment, onboarding, employment contracts and contractual changes
• Managing safer recruitment processes, pre-employment checks and the Single Central Record
• Ensuring HR policies and procedures comply with current UK employment legislation and relevant safeguarding requirements
• Taking responsibility for monthly payroll, including processing, checking, statutory payments, pensions and returns
• Ensuring payroll information accurately reflects employment contracts and personnel records
• Maintaining accurate and confidential employee records, HR systems and compliance documentation
• Managing absence, probation, appraisals, staff training records and mandatory compliance requirements
• Developing HR management information and KPIs to support workforce planning and decision-making
• Identifying opportunities to improve HR and payroll systems, simplify administration and reduce duplicated processes
• Working closely with the Finance & Operations Manager to coordinate deadlines, share agreed responsibilities and maintain effective cover arrangements
• Supporting inspections, audits and regulatory reviews by ensuring records and documentation are complete and up to date
• Line managing the Reception & Administration Officer job-share arrangement and coordinating administrative responsibilities

What We're Looking For

• Significant experience in HR management or a senior HR generalist role, with a strong understanding of UK employment legislation
• Practical experience managing or running payroll, including statutory requirements and pensions
• Experience overseeing recruitment, onboarding and pre-employment checks
• Strong knowledge of employee relations, including disciplinary, grievance, absence and performance management
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accurate record keeping
• Strong IT skills and confidence using HR systems, databases and management information tools
• The ability to improve processes and develop clear, effective procedures
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to advise senior leaders and support colleagues at all levels
• A professional, approachable manner, with discretion and sound judgement when handling confidential information
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
• A genuine commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

Desirable:

• CIPD qualification or equivalent HR experience
• Payroll qualification, such as CIPP, or equivalent practical experience
• Experience within an independent school or wider education environment
• Knowledge of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and relevant education regulations
• Experience using school management information systems

Why You'll Love This Role

• The opportunity to lead both HR and payroll within a school environment
• A senior position working closely with the Head of School and contributing to wider strategic planning
• A varied role covering HR strategy, employee relations, recruitment, payroll and compliance
• The opportunity to improve systems, streamline processes and make a tangible difference to the way the school operates
• A collaborative partnership with the Finance & Operations Manager, with clearly defined responsibilities and shared cover arrangements
• The chance to support a positive staff culture while ensuring high standards of compliance and safeguarding
• A role combining strategic responsibility with hands-on involvement in the day-to-day running of HR and payroll

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