HR Assistant

Principal Education; City Of London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational staffing service in East London is seeking an HR Assistant / Cover Manager to join their thriving secondary school. This full-time role involves managing daily staff cover, supporting HR functions, and ensuring smooth operations within a busy school environment. The ideal candidate will be highly organised with strong administrative skills and experience in similar settings.

Benefits

Supportive leadership

Professional development opportunities

Collaborative working environment

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a school office, HR, or administrative setting is desirable.
• Highly organised with excellent communication and time-management skills.
• Confident using MIS systems and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily staff cover rota, arranging internal cover and booking supply staff.
• Act as first point of contact for supply agencies, ensuring cost-effective and efficient cover.
• Support the HR function with recruitment and general administration.

Skills

Organised

Proactive

Strong administrative skills

Excellent communication

Time-management skills

Tools

MIS systems

MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Job description

HR Assistant / Cover Manager Immediate Start

Location: Hackney, East London

Contract: Full-time, Term-time + 2 weeks

Start Date: ASAP

Principal Education is pleased to be recruiting on behalf of a thriving secondary school in Hackney for a HR Assistant / Cover Manager to join their support team as soon as possible.

This is an excellent opportunity for an organised, proactive individual with strong administrative skills to take ownership of daily cover arrangements and provide high-quality HR support in a busy school environment.

The Role

• Manage the daily staff cover rota, arranging internal cover and booking supply staff when necessary.
• Act as first point of contact for supply agencies, ensuring cost-effective and efficient cover.
• Support the HR function with recruitment, onboarding, compliance, and general administration.
• Maintain accurate records, including staff absence and safeguarding checks.
• Liaise with senior leaders, teaching staff, and external stakeholders to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.

The Ideal Candidate

• Previous experience in a school office, HR, or administrative setting is desirable.
• Highly organised with excellent communication and time-management skills.
• Confident using MIS systems and MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Calm under pressure and able to prioritise competing demands.
• Professional, approachable, and committed to safeguarding.

The School Offers

• Supportive leadership and a collaborative working environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
• A role where you can make a tangible difference every day.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced administrator looking for a busy and rewarding role as a Cover Manager, apply today by sending your CV to Principal Education.