HR Advisor (Maternity Cover) in London

Emanuel School is looking for a confident and organised HR Advisor to play a key role in its HR team on a maternity cover contract until June 2027. This is an excellent opportunity for an HR generalist who enjoys supporting managers and staff, and helping to ensure that effective, compliant and people-centred HR practice underpins a thriving working environment.

As HR Advisor you will make a meaningful impact in a busy, people-focused community, in a role with real variety and responsibility. You will be at the heart of the school’s people operations, supporting recruitment, onboarding, employee lifecycle administration and day-to-day HR advice across a busy and friendly community. From coordinating recruitment campaigns and safer recruitment checks to preparing contracts, updating HR systems and supporting staff queries, you will ensure that HR processes are smooth, compliant and genuinely supportive.

You will also have the opportunity to broaden your advisory experience, working closely with the HR Director on employee relations casework, absence management, policy review and support for line managers. We are looking for a confident HR professional with experience of providing generalist HR advice, applying HR policies and supporting first-line employee relations matters.

You will be CIPD Level 5 qualified, or able to demonstrate equivalent experience, with strong administrative and written communication skills, with the ability to manage a varied workload with accuracy, discretion and good judgement. Experience in a school or education setting, including safer recruitment, pre-employment checks or maintaining a Single Central Record, would be a real advantage, but what matters most is that you are organised, approachable, proactive and ready to make a positive contribution from day one.

Working at Emanuel There is always a buzz at Emanuel. Colleagues enjoy their work and, like the pupils, are ambitious for the school. With a weekly staff briefing, half termly staff meetings, termly consultative group meetings and a common room committee, all of us are engaged in a lively ongoing dialogue about the school’s aims and aspirations. Everyone works hard here, and anyone joining us should expect to do the same and share our commitment to the highest standards.

At the same time our ethos remains unpretentious, kindly and practical, and there’s a strong sense of community and friendship at the school. We aim to look after our staff well: we have an appraisal scheme with a focus on employees’ professional development; we sponsor postgraduate courses and a range of training opportunities; we offer salary sacrifice childcare vouchers through TEDS Premier, we offer a healthcare plan via Simply Health that includes counselling and medical support; and we’re committed to supporting staff wellbeing. Financially, all staff benefit from good pension provision and free lunches.

For further details and to apply please click the apply button. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 16th June 2026. Do note that interviews may be held at any stage after applications are received, so candidates are advised to apply as soon as possible. Please note that this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Emanuel School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Prior to applying, candidates should read our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy our Recruitment Policy and our Recruitment Privacy Notice.