HR Assistant - Ascent Academies' Trust, Central Team

North East Combined Authority; Sunderland; Hybrid; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascent is seeking an HR Assistant to join the Central Services team, supporting recruitment, onboarding and HR systems across academies. You will respond to queries and help ensure colleagues receive the support they need, taking ownership of key areas and contributing ideas to strengthen HR practices.

The role emphasizes excellent administration, communication and organisational skills with a strong focus on customer service and handling confidential information.

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs including English and Maths (A*-C/9-4 or equivalent).
• Experience in HR, recruitment or a similar people-focused environment.
• Strong organisation, communication, initiative and customer service mindset.

Responsibilities

• Support recruitment and onboarding, keeping HR systems and information up to date.
• Respond to queries and work with academy colleagues to ensure they receive the support they need.
• Take ownership of key HR areas and contribute ideas to strengthen HR processes across the Trust.
• Provide trusted HR support across academies and help deliver a great service to colleagues.

Skills

HR administration

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Customer service

Confidential information handling

Education

GCSEs including English & Maths

Job description

Join a Trust that Makes a Difference

At Ascent, our young people and our colleagues are at the heart of what we do. We're looking for an HR Assistant to join our Central Services team at an exciting time for HR at Ascent. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, takes pride in getting things right and wants to make a real contribution. You'll work closely with colleagues across our academies, providing trusted HR support and helping to make sure our people processes work effectively.

About the Role

No two days will be quite the same. You'll be involved across the employee journey, supporting recruitment and onboarding, keeping our HR systems and information up to date, responding to queries and working with academy colleagues to ensure they receive the support they need.

Alongside the day-to-day work, you'll have the opportunity to take ownership of key areas, build relationships across our Trust and contribute ideas as we continue to strengthen the way HR works at Ascent.

Who We're Looking For

We'd love to hear from you if you already have experience of working in HR, recruitment or a similar people-focused environment and are ready to build on that experience. You'll be someone who can organise and prioritise effectively, communicate confidently and use your initiative to get things done. Attention to detail is important, but so is your approach. We're looking for someone who is approachable, helpful and committed to providing a great service to colleagues across Ascent.

Why Join Our HR Team?

You'll be joining a team where your contribution matters. This is an opportunity to broaden your HR experience, take ownership and work with colleagues across our academies while helping us continue to improve the support we provide.

If you're looking for a role where you can broaden your HR experience, take ownership and make your contribution count, this could be the opportunity for you.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone with excellent administration, communication and organisational skills, strong attention to detail, a commitment to customer service and the ability to handle confidential information professionally. Applicants should hold 5 x GCSEs or equivalent including English and Mathematics (A*-C/ 9-4 or equivalent) and be keen to develop within a HR environment.

Flexible Working:

We believe that flexibility at work can promote a healthy work-life balance, increase motivation, and improve performance and productivity. Whilst this post is advertised as full-time, all year round, we recognise that there are many ways of working. We are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements wherever possible and welcome conversations about individual circumstances.

If you are interested in this role but need to work flexibly, we encourage you to apply and talk to us about what might be possible. We support a range of flexible working arrangements and will consider requests in line with the needs of the role and our Trust.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Applications

We recognise that AI can be a useful tool to support the preparation of job applications. However, all information provided within your application, including examples of experience, achievements and personal statements, must be truthful, factually accurate and drawn directly from your own knowledge, skills and experience. During the selection process, candidates will be expected to discuss and demonstrate the evidence provided within their application.

Should you have any questions?

Should you have any questions about this post please email Louise Johnson, HR Manager [e-mail] in the first instance.

Additional Information

Please note – if you are appointed, you will be subject to an online search. You will have the opportunity to address any issues of concern that come up during the search.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people with Special Needs and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore will be subject to a DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.