HR Lead & PAEDV/2026/FHS/94549

BMAT; Bentfield; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

BMAT is seeking an experienced HR Lead & PA to drive day-to-day HR functions across two BMAT school sites and provide high-quality executive support to the Executive Headteacher and leadership teams.

You will own the full employee lifecycle—from recruitment and payroll to absence management and employee relations—while coordinating governance and strategic priorities with senior leaders and the Trust HR team. Confidential, proactive support is essential in a fast-paced school environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee recruitment, safer recruitment compliance, payroll administration, workforce records, absence management, employee relations and performance processes.
• Work closely with school leaders and the Trust HR team to ensure compliant, efficient HR practices and staff experience.
• Act as the Executive Headteacher's Personal Assistant: manage complex diaries, coordinate meetings, prepare reports/presentations, organise governance and leadership meetings.
• Ensure smooth coordination of strategic priorities across both BMAT school sites.
• Build positive relationships with leaders, governors, Trust colleagues and external partners to provide operational HR and executive support.
• Support recruitment campaigns, staff wellbeing, governors' papers, school improvement projects and the Executive Headteacher's busy schedule.

Skills

HR leadership

Executive support

Recruitment

Payroll administration

Confidentiality

Job description

As HR Lead & PA, you will play a central role in ensuring both schools operate efficiently by leading day-to-day HR functions while providing high-quality executive support to the Executive Headteacher and leadership teams across two school sites.

You will take ownership of the full employee lifecycle, overseeing recruitment, safer recruitment compliance, payroll administration, workforce records, absence management, employee relations and performance processes. Working closely with school leaders and the Trust HR team, you will ensure that all HR practices are compliant, efficient and provide an excellent experience for staff.

Alongside your HR leadership responsibilities, you will act as the Executive Headteacher's trusted Personal Assistant, managing complex diaries, coordinating meetings, preparing reports and presentations, organising governance and leadership meetings, and ensuring the smooth coordination of strategic priorities across both schools. You will be the first point of contact for many stakeholders, exercising sound judgement, maintaining absolute confidentiality and anticipating the needs of the Executive Headteacher in a fast-paced environment.

This is a varied and rewarding role requiring excellent organisational skills, strong attention to detail and the ability to balance competing priorities with confidence and professionalism. You will build positive working relationships with leaders, staff, governors, Trust colleagues and external partners, providing both operational expertise and executive support that enables the schools to function effectively.

No two days will be the same. Whether you're co-ordinating a recruitment campaign, supporting employee wellbeing, preparing papers for governors, supporting school improvement projects or managing the Executive Headteacher's busy schedule, you will play a vital role in the success of both schools and the wider BMAT community.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR professional with exceptional administrative and organisational skills who enjoys working at the heart of a busy school environment. Your contribution will directly support our staff, our leaders and, ultimately, the outcomes and experiences of the young people we serve.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications or appoint a successful candidate before the closing date.