Director of HR

Suffolk Jobs Direct; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading independent school in Ipswich is seeking an experienced HR professional to oversee employee relations and manage HR operations. The ideal candidate will have a Level 5 CIPD qualification and experience in a medium to large organization, preferably within education. Attractive benefits include a salary of up to £48,000 and comprehensive holiday and pension plans.

Benefits

30 days paid holiday

Defined contribution pension scheme

Free lunch during term time

Access to school swimming pool

Fitness gym access

Cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in a medium/large business, ideally educational.
• Understanding of employment law and compliance frameworks.
• Manage complex and emotive HR issues effectively.

Responsibilities

• Oversee employee relations casework.
• Shape the culture and ensure HR meets staff needs.
• Manage HR operational matters including recruitment.
• Handle payroll, pension legislation, and staff benefits.

Skills

Time management

Communication

Tact

Diplomacy

Empathy

Patience

Resilience

Education

Level 5 CIPD or equivalent

Job description

Job Description

Ipswich School (Address: Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3SG). Salary: £48,000 per annum. Hours: Full time. Contract: Permanent. Reference: 0483.

Ipswich School has been listed as one of the top 130 schools in the country and is certainly one of the foremost independent schools in East Anglia. We were established prior to 1399 and moved to our present site in 1852. We have been regularly voted Suffolk’s top independent school in The Sunday Times Parent Power League and have circa 1000 pupils aged between 3 months and 19 years. We have a day nursery (The Lodge Day Nursery), Prep School and Senior School, located near to Christchurch Park, with sports facilities located in Rushmere and at Notcutts, off Henley Road. With around 430 staff, and all operations, including catering and cleaning, managed ‘in house’, we are a large local employer of both teaching and support staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee employee relations casework.
• Help senior management shape the school’s culture and ensure the HR function meets staff needs.
• Oversee and manage HR operational matters: staff recruitment, right‑to‑work checks, disciplinary, grievance and capability processes.
• Handle payroll, workplace pension legislation, sickness/absence, occupational health, staff benefits, performance review, training and development.

Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant qualification (minimum Level 5 CIPD or equivalent).
• Experience of working in a medium/large sized business, ideally in an educational environment.
• Excellent understanding of employment law, Ofsted/ISI compliance frameworks.
• Strong time‑management and communication skills.
• High levels of tact, diplomacy, empathy, patience and resilience to manage complex and emotive issues.

Hours of work, salary and benefits

• Working Monday‑Friday, minimum 37.5 hours per week, core hours 8:00‑5:00.
• Salary up to £48,000 per annum, paid monthly in arrears.
• 30 days’ paid holiday, plus public holidays.
• Defined contribution pension scheme after 3 months, with 10% employer contribution.
• 3x death‑in‑service life cover.
• Fee remission of 50% for eligible children after probationary period.
• Free lunch during term time.
• Access to school swimming pool, fitness gym.
• Access to Smarthealth wellbeing app, cycle‑to‑work scheme.

How to Apply

Please download the full job description from our website and apply using our application form. We cannot accept a CV in place of a fully completed application form for a role that involves working in a school environment.

Completed application forms should be returned by noon on Tuesday 2 December 2025 to the Director of HR, Ipswich School, 25 Henley Road, Ipswich, IP1 3SG or email to [e-mail].

Candidates shortlisted for interview will be advised as soon as possible after the closing date and interviews will be held on Monday 8 December 2025, including a competency assessment.

Closing date: 12 pm, 2 December 2025.

Interview date: 8 December 2025.

About the Team

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Important Please Read Before Applying

This job does not have a Suffolk Jobs Direct online application form. The ‘Apply Now’ button only allows you to submit a job alert, not an online application.