HR Manager in Chelmsford

We are seeking a Human Resources (HR) Manager to provide lead operational activity across the School, ensuring the continuation of a high-performing, values-led workforce. The role supports the School’s educational mission by delivering effective people management, robust safeguarding practice, and compliance with employment legislation and regulatory requirements. They will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery and management of the HR function at New Hall School.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and deliver the School’s HR strategy aligned to its vision, values, and long-term development plan, including workforce-related financial planning.
• Advise senior leadership on organisational design, workforce strategy, and culture to support whole-School improvement.
• Oversee end-to-end recruitment and selection processes, ensuring full compliance with safer recruitment and safeguarding requirements.
• Manage workforce planning to attract, retain, and develop high-quality staff.
• Ensure all pre-employment checks, staff records, and the Single Central Register are accurate, compliant, and inspection-ready.
• Maintain compliance with employment law, safeguarding regulations, ISI standards, and GDPR, acting as the key contact for inspections.
• Provide expert HR advice to leaders and manage employee relations cases (disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence).
• Develop, implement, and review HR policies and procedures in line with current legislation and best practice.
• Oversee performance management, CPD initiatives, succession planning, and talent development across staff.
• Manage payroll, pay reviews, pensions, and benefits, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and effective coordination with finance and payroll providers.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Have a clear understanding of and a commitment to Catholic education.
• Care about the School’s charitable work and public benefit and help nurture the spirit of service to others.
• Hold CIPD Level 5 qualification.
• Have strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Have proven experience of safer recruitment and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Be able to operate operationally in a busy School environment.
• Have excellent communication, organisational, IT, and management skills.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills and the confidence to advise senior leaders.
• Have excellent attention to detail and strong organisational skills.
• Have a high level of discretion, integrity, professionalism, and emotional intelligence.

What New Hall offers:

• 35 days’ holiday (including bank holidays).
• Excellent benefits & CPD.
• Lunch without charge in term time.
• Discounted annual membership for New Hall Sport Club.

New Hall School offers an exceptional working environment. The main campus occupies the stunning Grade I listed former Tudor palace of Beaulieu. The School’s conference and events venue is at the Grade I listed Boreham House, one mile away. New Hall is a warm, welcoming, and supportive community, with a staff of around 300. Beaulieu Park railway station is at the entrance to New Hall’s Avenue: 30 minutes to Stratford and 38 minutes to London Liverpool Street. The Elizabeth Line at Shenfield (13 minutes by train) terminates at Heathrow airport. There are nearby airports: London Stansted, London Southend and London City.

Early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date of this advertisement. Application closing date midday, Monday 8 June 2026.

All adults employed by the New Hall School have a responsibility for data protection and have a duty to observe and follow the principles of the GDPR Regulations. All applicants must be able to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. As part of our need to comply with UK immigration rules, you will be required to provide Home Office stipulated documentation prior to interview. As well as verification of identity, we ask all successful candidates to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, we may also conduct an online search about any shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence to identify any matters that might relate directly to our legal duty to meet safeguarding duties, in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

New Hall School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

SAFEGUARDING AND FURTHER INFORMATION:

Due to the nature of this role, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. In making your application, it is essential you disclose whether you have any pending charges, convictions, bind-overs or cautions and, if so, for which offences. This post will be exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Therefore, applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act, and, in the event of the employment being taken up; any failure to disclose such convictions will result in dismissal or disciplinary action. The fact that a pending charge, conviction, bind-over or caution has been recorded against you will not necessarily debar you from consideration for this appointment.