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- Tasks: Lead HR initiatives, provide expert advice, and manage employee relations in a school setting.
- Company: St George’s is a prestigious all-through independent school for girls in Edinburgh.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, reduced school fees, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team focused on empowering students and fostering a positive educational environment.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 or equivalent experience in HR, preferably in education.
- Other info: Full-time role with potential part-time flexibility; occasional evening work may be required.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 43000 £ per year.
Overview
Job Type: Permanent
Job Sector: HR, Training
Region: Scotland
Location: Edinburgh
Salary Description: Salary range: £38,000- £43,000 dependent on qualifications and experience
Posted: 03/09/2025
Recruiter: Teacheroo
Job Ref: schooltalent/TP/5794/2080
Role
Lead HR Advisor | Full time, Permanent
• Full-time hours, 38 days annual leave (including bank holidays), to be taken primarily during the school holidays with some flexibility. May consider part time (0.7-0.8) for the right candidate.
• Best delivered in person (not primarily remote/hybrid).
• May require occasional evening work for staff meetings or events.
• Closing Date: 18 September 2025 • Interviews: Week Beginning 22 September 2025
Job Purpose
To deliver specialist HR expertise that enables effective people management across the school, ensuring staff can focus on delivering exceptional educational outcomes for students. The HR Advisor supports the school leadership team, staff, and Governing Council with comprehensive HR guidance while ensuring compliance with employment law and school policies.
Package Description
- Competitive remuneration and benefits package including:
- Reduced school fees and wraparound care at St George’s School
- Pension contribution
- Staff lunches
- Access to school buses on school routes for all staff (small charge)
- Professional learning and development opportunities
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Opportunity to benefit from school facilities
- Death in service benefits
Main Responsibilities
Advisory Support:
- Provide first-line HR advice and guidance to those with leadership and management responsibility within the school.
- Support staff with queries relating to employment terms, conditions, and policies.
- Liaise with employment lawyers to ensure fair and consistent application of HR procedures, and provide advice as appropriate.
- Guide managers through performance management processes.
Case Management:
- Support schools with day-to-day HR advice, case management, and policy implementation.
- Handle complex employee relations cases from initiation to resolution.
- Conduct workplace investigations as required.
- Manage absence cases and records, including long-term sickness and return-to-work processes and any payroll adjustments.
Policy and Compliance:
- Ensure compliance with employment legislation and safeguarding requirements specific to education settings.
- Review and update HR policies and procedures, reporting to Governing Council as required.
- Support policy implementation across the school community.
- Maintain awareness of changes in education sector employment law.
Recruitment Support:
- Assist with recruitment processes, including safer recruitment practices.
- Support onboarding and induction of new staff.
- Advise and implement contractual arrangements for teaching and support staff and ensure staff are provided with details of pension arrangements and other benefits.
- Ensure accurate details of staffing changes are provided to Payroll, IT and other relevant departments.
- Manage the recruitment budget.
The Ideal Candidate
Essential Requirements
- CIPD qualification (Level 5 or above) or equivalent experience.
- Substantial experience in an HR advisory role, preferably within education.
- Knowledge of employment law and education sector requirements, including staff training.
- Experience with disciplinary, grievance, absence and performance management procedures.
Skills:
- Confidentiality, autonomy and initiative.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to present to staff groups and Governing Body.
- Ability to build relationships across all levels of the school community.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Understanding of safeguarding requirements in educational settings.
- IT literate; experience with Microsoft systems.
- Familiar with HR systems (St George’s uses Every HR).
Personal Qualities:
- Understanding and enthusiasm for the school’s history and ethos.
- Calm under pressure.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Exemplary inter-personal skills.
- Positive attitude towards institutional change.
About the school/organisation
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early upon receipt of suitable applications. St George’s is an all-through independent school for girls aged 3-18 in Edinburgh with a history of empowering girls and a strong ethos.
Contact Details
Teacheroo
Tel: 000 000 0000
Contact: Rachel Hastie
Email:
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Lead HR Advisor employer: Teacheroo
Contact Detail:
Teacheroo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead HR Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific HR policies and procedures relevant to the education sector. Understanding the nuances of employment law in this context will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former HR professionals in educational settings. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights and may even lead to referrals, which can significantly boost your chances of landing the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss real-life scenarios where you've successfully managed complex employee relations cases. Being able to articulate your problem-solving skills and how you've navigated challenging situations will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your understanding of safeguarding requirements in educational settings during your interactions. This is a critical aspect of the role, and demonstrating your knowledge will highlight your suitability for the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead HR Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant HR experience, particularly in education. Emphasise your CIPD qualification and any specific achievements that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that addresses the key requirements of the role. Discuss your understanding of employment law and your experience with performance management processes, showcasing how you can contribute to the school’s HR needs.
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, highlight your excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Provide examples of how you've built relationships within a team or managed complex employee relations cases effectively.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for an HR role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Teacheroo
✨Know Your HR Legislation
Brush up on the latest employment laws and regulations, especially those relevant to the education sector. Being able to discuss these confidently will show your expertise and understanding of the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Advisory Skills
Prepare examples of how you've provided HR advice in previous roles. Highlight your ability to guide managers through complex situations, as this is a key part of the Lead HR Advisor position.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves presenting to staff and the Governing Body, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Consider preparing a short presentation on a relevant HR topic to demonstrate your skills.
✨Understand the School's Ethos
Familiarise yourself with St George’s School's history and values. Showing genuine enthusiasm for their ethos during the interview can set you apart from other candidates.
