HR Manager (Maternity Cover)

A year to make a real difference. Notting Hill & Ealing High School is seeking an experienced, confident and highly capable HR Manager to join one of London's leading girls' schools on a 15-month fixed-term maternity-cover contract. There may be an opportunity to extend the appointment, subject to the substantive postholder's return date and the School's requirements.

This is more than a holding role. You will have the scope, visibility and senior-level access to make a tangible and lasting difference: leading an excellent day-to-day HR service while strengthening systems and processes, building trusted relationships with managers and colleagues, and helping shape a responsive, professional HR function that works brilliantly for its people.

We are looking for an accomplished, hands-on HR generalist who combines strong technical knowledge with sound judgement, pace and a practical approach. You will be comfortable advising senior and middle leaders on employee relations matters, while equally willing to get into the detail of recruitment, onboarding, absence, probation, payroll information, HR records and the many practical issues that arise in the working life of a busy school.

The opportunity

For the right person, it offers the satisfaction of joining a high-performing school community, supporting colleagues through a period of development and change, and making a positive contribution to the continued development of strong relationships, clear processes and a responsive, professional HR service.

You will:

• Provide accessible, confident and pragmatic HR advice to managers and colleagues
• Build positive relationships and strengthen confidence in the HR service across the School
• Review existing HR systems and processes and implement practical improvements
• Work closely with Finance to strengthen the HR/payroll interface and accuracy of employee information
• Manage and advise on a broad range of employee relations matters
• Ensure recruitment, onboarding, safer recruitment and HR compliance operate to consistently high standards, including effective oversight and maintenance of the School's Single Central Record (SCR)
• Use HR data and professional insight to identify emerging issues, risks and opportunities
• Work in close partnership with the GDST central HR team, drawing on specialist expertise and ensuring advice is translated into effective local action

About you

You may already be an HR Manager or HR Business Partner, or be an experienced HR Adviser ready to step into broader ownership. What matters most is that you combine strong technical HR knowledge with excellent judgement, warmth, resilience and the confidence to work independently in a visible role.

You will be a natural problem solver and completer: someone who sees what needs to be done, engages the right people and follows matters through. You will be equally comfortable handling a sensitive employee-relations discussion, advising a senior leader, improving a process and dealing with the operational detail that keeps an effective HR function running.

You will ideally be CIPD qualified to Level 5 or above, or able to demonstrate equivalent substantial professional HR experience. Experience in education would be valuable but is not essential.

We would equally welcome applications from strong HR professionals in other complex, people-focused organisations who are attracted by the opportunity to bring their experience into a high-performing school environment.

About the School

NHEHS is a leading academic day school. Our girls are ambitious, bright, enthusiastic and eager to learn and we offer a warm and supportive community. We occupy a site in suburban, leafy, west Ealing with excellent transport links.

As part of the GDST, the UK's leading network of independent girls' schools, we can offer a variety of benefits, such as:

• Competitive terms and conditions of employment, and competitive salaries and pay progression
• Membership of the GDST flexible pension scheme (18% employer contribution and flexibility to generate a pay top-up of up to 10% of pensionable salary in lieu of pension)
• Employee Assistance Programme via Health Assured, offering free 24-hour counselling, wellbeing support and advice services
• A discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools
• Free lunches for all staff during term time (equivalent to at least £900 per year)
• In-school staff wellbeing activities such as yoga and access to the school gym

The closing date for applications is 30th September 2026 at 11:59 AM. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified individuals. To be eligible for employment, candidates must provide proof of their right to work in the UK.

NHEHS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the DBS. Applications will be considered only from candidates who are eligible to work in the UK.

The GDST is committed to diversity, inclusion and real change: a family where every individual is valued, respected and included.