HR Manager in London

OMG Education is an Independent Alternative Provision School for 11–18-year-olds. It provides a nurturing, creative and trauma‑informed environment for young people disengaged from mainstream education. Our provision operates across multiple school sites, and the role requires a coordinated and consistent approach to HR systems, staff records, compliance and communication across all locations.

The HR Manager plays a key operational role in ensuring the smooth, compliant and efficient running of the school’s people functions. The postholder will lead on HR operations, personnel records, recruitment administration, employee relations support and HR compliance monitoring across the school’s sites, including safer recruitment and Single Central Record requirements. This role supports the effective running of the school by helping to ensure that people processes and statutory records are accurate, timely, confidential and inspection‑ready at all times across the organisation.

Main Purpose of the Role

• To coordinate HR administration across the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, contracts, absence records and staff documentation across all school sites.
• To maintain compliance with relevant employment, safeguarding, pension, data protection and independent school requirements.
• To support leaders by providing reliable administrative and HR systems that enable the school to operate effectively across a multi‑site provision.
• To support consistent people management practice across the organisation through effective policy implementation, advice and casework coordination.

Key Responsibilities

• Human Resources and People Operations
• Administer recruitment processes from advertisement through to appointment, in line with safer recruitment procedures and school policy.
• Ensure pre‑employment checks are completed, recorded and followed up, including references, right to work, qualifications, DBS, prohibition checks and other relevant vetting requirements.
• Maintain an accurate, complete and audit‑ready Single Central Record and personnel filing system across all sites.
• Prepare contracts, offer letters, variation letters and other employment documentation.
• Coordinate induction administration for new starters and ensure all required forms and documents are completed and filed.
• Maintain accurate records relating to absence, leave, probation, appraisal and other employment matters.
• Act as a first point of contact for routine HR queries and provide advice to managers on HR procedures, escalating or signposting complex matters where appropriate.
• Support the administration of performance management and staff review processes.
• Promote consistency in HR practice, documentation and record keeping across all school sites.
• Employee Relations and Policy
• Support leaders with employee relations matters, including informal and formal processes relating to conduct, grievance, capability, probation and attendance, ensuring policies and procedures are followed fairly and consistently.
• Prepare letters, meeting documentation, records and outcome paperwork linked to HR processes.
• Lead on the regular review and updating of HR policies and procedures in consultation with the Operations Director and senior leaders.
• Support the implementation of HR policies, ensuring staff and managers understand relevant processes and expectations.
• Maintain accurate records of HR casework, meetings and follow‑up actions.
• Payroll Data and Compliance
• Prepare accurate payroll instructions for the Finance team, including starters, leavers, contractual changes and absence information, in line with deadlines.
• Maintain up‑to‑date HR records to ensure payroll data and employee information are accurate.
• Help ensure that HR and staff compliance records are accurate, current and ready for internal review, inspection or audit across all sites.
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure secure handling of staff and pupil information in line with GDPR and school policies.
• Support compliance with Keeping Children Safe in Education, safer recruitment guidance and relevant Independent School Standards requirements referenced in the role profile.
• Contribute to the development, review and implementation of administrative HR procedures.
• Produce reports, data summaries and administrative information for leaders as required.
• Travel between school sites as required to maintain oversight, consistency and effective working relationships.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and nature of the post as reasonably required by the school.

General Responsibilities

• To promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people in accordance with the school’s safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
• To work at all times in accordance with school policies, procedures and professional expectations.
• To maintain high standards of confidentiality, professionalism and integrity.
• To participate in training, supervision and professional development as required.

Person Specification Criteria

• Qualifications
• Degree‑level qualification or equivalent experience in HR or a related field.
• CIPD Level 3 or Level 5 qualification, or working towards a CIPD qualification.
• Experience
• At least 3 years’ relevant experience in HR administration or HR operations.
• Experience of staff administration, safer recruitment and maintaining accurate employment records.
• Experience of supporting managers with HR processes or employee relations matters.
• Experience in a school, alternative provision, charity or other regulated setting.
• Experience of maintaining a Single Central Record.
• Knowledge
• Sound understanding of HR administration, employment‑related processes, confidentiality requirements and record keeping.
• Knowledge of safer recruitment and statutory pre‑employment checking requirements.
• Knowledge of Independent School Standards, Ofsted expectations, KCSIE and Local Authority funding processes.
• Skills
• Strong administrative and organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities accurately.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to handle sensitive matters professionally.
• Good Excel and IT skills, including the ability to maintain accurate records and produce reports.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple school sites and maintain consistent systems and standards.
• Experience using school MIS and HR software such as Arbor or similar systems.
• Trustworthy, discreet and able to maintain confidentiality.
• Able to work independently and use initiative.
• Calm, reliable and solution‑focused.
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality and the values of the school.
• Flexible and adaptable approach in a developing multi‑site school environment.

Safer Recruitment and Safeguarding

OMG Education Independent School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. This post will be subject to safer recruitment procedures, including satisfactory references, enhanced DBS clearance, right‑to‑work checks, qualification checks and any other checks relevant to the role.

What We Offer

• Career development: Gain invaluable hands‑on experience in the operational and people side of education.
• Training opportunities: Benefit from ongoing CPD to enhance your skills.
• Inclusion and impact: Make a real difference in the lives of young people who need your support the most.

OMG Education Independent School is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. Applications are welcomed from candidates of all backgrounds.