Human Resources Officer

Location: Tower Hamlets, East London

School Type: Independent Secondary School & Sixth Form

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

Start Date: ASAP Start

An esteemed independent secondary school and Sixth Form in Tower Hamlets, ideally situated near London’s City and Canary Wharf districts, is seeking an organized, proactive, and discreet HR Officer to oversee its people operations starting ASAP. This is a key operational post for an experienced HR practitioner or HR generalist looking to lead end-to-end employee lifecycle management, safe recruitment, and workforce administration within a fast-paced, high-performing educational community.

About the Role

As the HR Officer, you will serve as the trusted central point of contact for all workforce matters across teaching and support operational teams. Starting immediately, you will drive professional HR support across employee relations, talent acquisition, single central record (SCR) compliance, staff onboarding, and payroll administration, ensuring seamless administrative efficiency and statutory compliance aligned with Independent School Inspectorate (ISI) standards.

• Start Date: Immediate / ASAP

• Environment: A prestigious independent co-educational school recognized for academic excellence, dedicated staff, and strong professional standards

• Culture: A collaborative, professional, and supportive administrative team working alongside senior leadership and operational department heads

Key Responsibilities

• Safer Recruitment & SCR Management: Manage end-to-end recruitment pipelines, coordinate interviews, conduct pre-employment vetting (DBS, right-to-work checks, references, prohibition checks), and maintain an audit-ready Single Central Record (SCR).

• Employee Lifecycle & Administration: Issue contracts of employment, oversee seamless onboarding and induction routines, track probation periods, and manage exit procedures.

• Employee Relations & Advisory: Provide first-line guidance to staff and line managers on school policies, sickness absence tracking, maternity/paternity leave, and routine HR query resolution.

• Payroll & Benefits Coordination: Collate and process monthly payroll adjustments (overtime, absences, new starters, leavers) in liaison with the finance department and external payroll provider.

• HR Data & Policy Compliance: Maintain accurate, GDPR-compliant HR database records, monitor attendance trends, and assist leadership in reviewing HR policies in line with employment legislation and ISI regulations.

Requirements

• Proven experience in a HR Officer, HR Advisor, or HR Coordinator role, ideally within an educational institution (independent or state school) or a regulated sector.

• CIPD qualification (Level 3 or Level 5) or equivalent HR/Business Administration credential is preferred.

• In-depth knowledge of Safer Recruitment practices, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, and Single Central Record (SCR) maintenance.

• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law basics, HR database management (e.g., SIMS, iSAMS, CIPHR), and confidential record-keeping.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, strong emotional intelligence, meticulous attention to detail, and absolute discretion.

Salary & Benefits

• Pay Scale: Highly competitive independent school support staff scale (commensurate with HR experience and qualifications).

• Generous employer pension contribution, extended school holiday provisions, continuous professional development (CIPD funding support available), daily complimentary school lunches, and staff wellbeing schemes.

How to Apply

If you are an organized, compliance-focused HR professional ready to make an immediate impact within a leading independent school in Tower Hamlets starting ASAP, we invite you to apply. Please submit your application and covering letter as soon as possible for consideration.