At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR services across two secondary schools, ensuring compliance and high-quality practices.
- Company: Join a thriving Multi Academy Trust committed to excellence and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while growing your HR career in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Proven HR experience in education and a relevant qualification (CIPD Level 5 or equivalent).
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth as the Trust expands with more schools.
The predicted salary is between 35400 - 41000 £ per year.
South Farnham Educational Trust (SFET) is seeking a skilled and proactive Secondary School HR Manager to oversee and deliver HR services across two secondary schools within the Trust. We are looking for a candidate with strong experience in the education sector and proven line-management capability. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in a multi-site environment, ensuring consistent, compliant and high-quality HR practice while contributing to the Trust's wider strategic HR aims. As the Trust continues to grow, this role is likely to expand to include additional secondary schools, offering increased scope and responsibility.
Location: 2 days per week at The Blue Coat School (Basingstoke), 2 days per week at Brighton Hill Community School (Basingstoke), 1 day per week at South Farnham Educational Trust Central Office (South Farnham School, Farnham)
Salary: £40,461 - £46,351 (dependant upon experience)
Contract: Full-time, permanent
About the Role
- Provide day-to-day leadership and guidance to HR Officers at both schools.
- Act as the lead HR contact for secondary schools, ensuring alignment with Trust-wide policies.
- Manage recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, and compliance processes across both sites.
- Ensure accurate and compliant monthly payroll processing, including overtime, contractual changes, pensions, national insurance, tax calculations and all other payroll-related checks, while maintaining alignment with staffing budgets.
- Support the HR Director in delivering strategic HR projects and workforce planning.
About You
- Has proven HR experience, ideally within an education setting.
- Holds a relevant HR qualification (CIPD Level 5 or equivalent).
- Can confidently manage HR operations across multiple sites.
- Demonstrates strong leadership, coaching, and relationship-building skills.
- Is highly organised, resilient, and committed to safeguarding and compliance.
Why Join Us?
SFET is a thriving Multi Academy Trust with a strong commitment to excellence and collaboration. You will be part of a forward-thinking team that values professional development and innovation in HR practice.
Safeguarding Statement: South Farnham Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
Secondary Schools HR Manager (multi-site role) Basingstoke/Farnham employer: SOUTH FARNHAM EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Contact Detail:
SOUTH FARNHAM EDUCATIONAL TRUST Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Secondary Schools HR Manager (multi-site role) Basingstoke/Farnham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector and let them know you're on the hunt for an HR Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the schools and the Trust. Understand their values, challenges, and recent developments. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed HR operations across multiple sites. Highlight your coaching and relationship-building skills to demonstrate your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team at SFET and contributing to our commitment to excellence.
We think you need these skills to ace Secondary Schools HR Manager (multi-site role) Basingstoke/Farnham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Secondary Schools HR Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in the education sector and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our Trust's strategic HR aims. Keep it engaging and personal – we love a bit of personality!
Showcase Your HR Expertise: In your application, be sure to showcase your HR qualifications and experience, especially in managing operations across multiple sites. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know what you bring to the table!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you can find more info about the role and our Trust there. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at SOUTH FARNHAM EDUCATIONAL TRUST
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your HR knowledge, especially in the education sector. Familiarise yourself with key policies and practices relevant to secondary schools, as well as any recent changes in legislation that could impact HR operations.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led HR teams or projects in the past. Be ready to discuss your approach to coaching and relationship-building, as these are crucial for managing HR across multiple sites.
✨Understand the Trust's Vision
Research South Farnham Educational Trust and its strategic aims. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their commitment to excellence and collaboration in HR practice.
✨Be Ready for Compliance Questions
Since compliance is a big part of this role, think about how you've ensured compliance in previous positions. Prepare to discuss your experience with payroll processing, employee relations, and safeguarding practices to demonstrate your attention to detail and commitment to best practices.