Head of Human Resources

Isbi; Northwood; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership in HR strategy

Supportive working environment

Opportunity to shape staff experience

Job summary

St Helen’s School in Northwood seeks an experienced Head of Human Resources to lead the HR function on a full-time, permanent basis. You will provide strategic leadership across employee relations, recruitment, policy development and workforce planning.

You will also oversee payroll, safeguarding compliance and staff wellbeing, partnering with senior leaders to drive a high-performing, inclusive school culture built on The St Helen’s Way.

Qualifications

• Significant generalist HR experience in a senior HR role, ideally within a school environment.
• CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent professional HR experience.
• Extensive experience managing complex employee relations matters (disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence).
• Ability to provide expert HR advice to managers, employees and senior leaders.
• Experience developing and implementing HR policies, recruitment processes and supporting organisational change.
• Understanding of UK employment legislation and safeguarding requirements in education.
• Experience overseeing payroll, pensions and employee benefits queries.
• Proven ability to coach and develop HR colleagues and promote service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead the HR function in a dynamic school, ensuring strategic alignment with objectives.
• Oversee employee relations, recruitment, policy development, performance management and staff wellbeing.
• Drive learning and development, organisational change and workforce planning.
• Provide expert guidance on employment law, safeguarding and HR best practice.
• Support payroll, pensions and benefits, working with finance and external providers.
• Champion inclusive culture and develop HR services through collaboration with staff and managers.

Skills

Senior HR management

People management

Employee relations

UK employment law

Safeguarding requirements

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Change management

Education

CIPD Level 7 qualification

HR qualification or equivalent

Job description

Head of Human Resources

St Helen’s School

St Helen’s School is seeking an experienced and proactive Head of Human Resources to lead our HR function on a full-time, permanent basis.

This is an excellent opportunity for an accomplished HR professional with experience in the education sector to make a significant contribution to the ongoing success of the School. The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and oversee the delivery of a professional, responsive and effective HR service, supporting staff, managers and senior leaders across all aspects of people management.

Working closely with senior leaders, the Head of Human Resources will lead on employee relations, recruitment, policy development, performance management, staff wellbeing, learning and development, organisational change and workforce planning. They will provide expert advice and guidance on employment legislation, safeguarding requirements and HR best practice, ensuring that the School’s policies and procedures remain compliant, effective and aligned with its strategic objectives.

The successful candidate will play a key role in fostering a positive, inclusive and high-performing working environment where colleagues feel supported, valued and empowered to succeed. They will champion The St Helen’s Way, ensuring that the School’s values, behaviours and expectations are embedded throughout the employee lifecycle and reflected in all people practices.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has significant generalist HR experience in a senior HR management or HR Business Partner role, ideally within a school environment.
• Holds a CIPD Level 7 qualification or has equivalent professional HR experience, with a commitment to continuing professional development.
• Has extensive experience managing complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability and absence management cases.
• Can provide expert, practical and professional HR advice and guidance to managers, employees and senior leaders.
• Has experience developing and implementing HR policies and procedures, leading recruitment and selection processes, and supporting organisational change.
• Understands UK employment legislation, safeguarding requirements and the importance of safer recruitment within an educational setting.
• Has experience overseeing payroll, pensions and employee benefits queries, working collaboratively with finance colleagues and external providers.
• Can lead, coach and develop HR colleagues, promoting a collaborative and responsive approach to service delivery.
• Has strong interpersonal, communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to manage sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism.
• Is highly organised, analytical and solutions-focused, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and make sound, well-informed decisions.
• Is committed to promoting staff wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion, and creating a positive workplace culture built on accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Is passionate about championing The St Helen’s Way and contributing to the continued success of the School.

What we offer:

• The opportunity to play a key leadership role within a successful and ambitious school.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment with opportunities to influence and develop the School’s people strategy.
• The opportunity to shape HR practice, strengthen organisational culture and make a meaningful contribution to staff experience and the wider School community.

Closing Date:

09.00am Tuesday 3rd November 2026

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place before the closing date. We therefore encourage early applications and reserve the right to close the vacancy early should a suitable candidate be appointed.