HR and Payroll Officer

Suffolk Jobs Direct; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious education institution in Ipswich is seeking an experienced HR professional to support various HR and payroll activities. The role involves providing advice to staff, assisting with recruitment, and improving HR systems. The starting salary is £33,000 per annum with additional benefits including holiday entitlement and a pension scheme.

Benefits

25 days paid holiday plus public holidays

Defined contribution pension with employer contributions

Free lunch during term time

Access to swimming pool and gym

24/7 GP access via wellbeing app

Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a similar HR role, ideally within the education sector.
• Solid practical understanding of employment law and HR best practice.
• Highly organised and detail-oriented.
• Collaborative, flexible, and proactive approach.

Responsibilities

• Support HR and payroll activities throughout the academic year.
• Act as key contact for line managers and staff on HR issues.
• Assist with recruitment administration and HR systems.

Skills

Experience in HR

Understanding of employment law

Excellent communication skills

IT proficiency

Job description

Job Description

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

• Work closely with the Director of HR, HR Administrator and Payroll Manager to support a wide range of HR and payroll activities throughout the academic year.
• Act as a key point of contact for line managers and staff for advice and practical assistance on HR issues.
• Support the work of the HR team in areas such as recruitment administration, the monthly payroll, the development of our HR information and systems, projects and other key pieces of work.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a similar HR role, ideally within the education sector.
• Solid practical understanding of employment law and HR best practice.
• Highly organised, detail‑oriented and possess excellent IT and communication skills.
• A collaborative, flexible and proactive approach is essential.

Hours of work, salary and benefits

• You will work throughout the year on Mondays – Fridays for a minimum of 37.5 hours per week. Core working hours are Monday – Friday between 8.00 am – 5.00 pm.
• Starting salary will be £33,000 per annum. Salaries are paid monthly in arrears by BACS on the last working day of each month throughout the year.
• You will be entitled to 25 working days’ paid holiday per year, plus public holidays. After 5 years’ continuous service, entitlement increases to 30 days plus public holidays.
• After 3 months’ service you will be entitled to join a defined contribution pension scheme with 10% employer contributions, and receive 3x death in service life cover.
• If you have a child or children who are eligible to attend the school and have been awarded a place, you could be entitled to generous fee remission after 3 years’ service.
• Free lunch is provided in the School Dining Hall during term time when the kitchen is in operation.
• Staff are able to use the school’s swimming pool and fitness gym (in compliance with appropriate rules and regulations).
• You will have access to Smarthealth, the school’s wellbeing app for staff which offers 24/7 GP access and mental health support. We also offer a Cycle to Work Scheme.

How To Apply

Completed application forms should be returned by noon on Monday 1 December 2025 to the Director of HR, Ipswich School, 25 Henley Road, Ipswich, IP1 3SG or email to [e-mail].
Interviews are expected to be held on Thursday 4 and/or Friday 5 December 2025. Please advise us of any special requirements you may have if you are called for interview.

Closing date

12 pm, 1 December 2025.

Interview dates

4 and/or 5 December 2025.

EEO Statement

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