Head of HR

St Mary's School Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

St Mary’s School in Cambridge seeks an experienced Head of HR to lead the HR function, advising senior leaders and staff on employment matters while safeguarding within a Catholic ethos.

You will oversee recruitment, employee relations, HR administration and payroll coordination, ensuring compliant, confidential HR practices and strong workforce development across the School.

Qualifications

• Significant generalist HR experience including recruitment and employee relations.
• Excellent organisational, communication and record-keeping skills.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and safer recruitment practices is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day HR function advising senior leaders on employment matters, policies and procedures.
• Oversee end-to-end recruitment and safer recruitment processes with pre-employment checks.
• Advise managers on employee relations including disciplinary, grievance, capability and absence cases.
• Promote staff wellbeing, development and a positive working culture.

Skills

Generalist HR experience

Recruitment

Employee relations

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Record-keeping

Education

HR qualification

Tools

HR systems

Job description

St Mary's School is seeking an experienced and proactive Head of HR to lead the School’s Human Resources function and provide professional advice and support to senior leaders and staff. The successful candidate will oversee recruitment, employee relations, HR administration and employment compliance, ensuring effective, consistent and confidential HR practices across the School.

Working closely with the Head, Bursar and Senior Leadership Team, the postholder will play a key role in promoting staff wellbeing, supporting workforce development and maintaining the School’s commitment to safeguarding and its Catholic ethos.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the day-to-day HR function, advising senior leaders and managers on employment matters, policies and procedures.
• Oversee end-to-end recruitment and safer recruitment processes, ensuring all pre-employment checks and records are complete.
• Advise and support managers on employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability and absence cases.
• Promote staff wellbeing, development, retention and a positive working culture.
• Maintain the Single Central Record (SCR) and oversee employment, safeguarding and training compliance.
• Manage and support the HR Administrator, ensuring effective delivery of HR services.
• Coordinate accurate payroll information, contractual changes and staff records.
• Review and improve HR systems, processes and procedures to ensure efficiency and consistency.

Person Specification:

The successful candidate will have significant generalist HR experience, including recruitment and employee relations, with the confidence and professional judgement to advise managers on sensitive and complex matters. They will have excellent organisational, communication and record-keeping skills, a strong understanding of employment practice and a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Experience in a school or similar environment, a recognised HR qualification and knowledge of safer recruitment requirements would be advantageous.

Closing date: 8.00am on Friday, 20 November 2026.

Interview date: Thursday, 26 November 2026.

We will review applications on receipt. Suitable candidates may be interviewed before the closing date and we reserve the right to withdraw the position if an early appointment is made.