Human Resources Officer

Anglian Learning; Saffron Walden; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Pension Scheme

Annual leave starts at 25 days plus Bank Holidays

Cycle to Work Scheme

Free membership to Sports Centres

Professional Development Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Flu Vouchers

Discount access via Perkbox

Job summary

An educational trust based in Saffron Walden is looking for an experienced HR Officer to join their HR Shared Services Team. This role involves providing high-quality HR support to Headteachers and school leaders across multiple schools. Key responsibilities include managing recruitment, advising on employee relations, and supporting workforce planning. The ideal candidate will have experience in HR, knowledge of employment law, and be CIPD qualified or willing to study. This position offers a permanent contract with generous employee benefits.

Qualifications

• CIPD Associate membership (Level 3 or 5) or willingness to study.
• Previous HR experience in a generalist or specialist role.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR case management.
• Experience advising managers and managing recruitment processes.
• Experience in the education sector.
• Experience working with Trade Unions.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely HR advice to Headteachers and senior leaders.
• Manage end-to-end recruitment campaigns.
• Support and manage absence, performance management, and appraisals.
• Help implement HR systems with a 'digital first' approach.
• Support payroll processes and contract changes.

Skills

CIPD Associate membership (Level 3 or 5)

Previous HR experience

Knowledge of employment law

Experience advising managers

Experience in the education sector

Experience with Trade Unions

Job description

Hours: 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Working Pattern: Monday to Thursday 8am - 4pm, Friday 8am - 3.30pm

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: The post holder will be office-based 2-3 days per week and based primarily at their assigned secondary school with regular travel to their assigned primary school (where applicable) In addition, they will be expected to work across the Trust and to travel between sites where necessary including but not limited to the Trust HR base at Marleigh Primary Academy

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced HR Officer to join our Trust HR Shared Services Team, working closely with Headteachers and school leaders to provide high-quality, people-focused HR support across Anglian Learning Trust schools.

This is a varied, hands-on role combining HR business partnering, employee relations, recruitment, workforce planning, and change management, with the opportunity to make a real impact on education outcomes by supporting our people.

You will be based primarily at your assigned secondary school, Joyce Frankland Academy, with regular travel to primary schools and Trust sites, including Marleigh Primary Academy.

Key Responsibilities

Business Partnering & Advisory

• Provide timely HR advice and guidance to Headteachers and senior leaders
• Champion HR best practice and support effective people management
• Support school improvement by delivering and monitoring people standards

Recruitment & Resourcing

• Manage end-to-end recruitment campaigns and safer recruitment processes
• Oversee onboarding, contracts, induction, and Single Central Record compliance
• Manage Workforce Census submissions and workforce planning

Employee Relations

• Support and manage absence, attendance, performance management, and appraisals
• Advise on employment law, HR policies, and procedures
• Support formal casework, documentation, and trade union engagement

Change, Engagement & Development

• Support Trust-wide engagement initiatives and staff surveys
• Help implement HR systems with a “digital first” approach
• Support learning & development and delivery of manager training

Reward & Payroll

• Support payroll processes, contract changes, pay reviews, and benefits promotion

Person Specification

• CIPD Associate membership (Level 3 or 5) or willingness to study
• Previous HR experience in a generalist or specialist role
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR case management
• Experience advising managers and managing recruitment processes
• Experience in the education sector
• Experience working with Trade Unions

Employee Benefits:

• Generous Pension Scheme (LGPS or Teachers’ Pension Scheme depending on the role)
• Annual leave starts at 25 days plus Bank Holidays, more for those with local government continuous service
• Cycle to Work Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Free membership to Anglian Learning Sports Centres
• Professional Development Scheme Policy
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Boots Flu Vouchers
• Perkbox – access a range of discounts in-store and online at nationwide shops.

Closing Date: Sunday22nd February 2026*

Interview date: Week commencing 23rd February 2026

Start date: As soon as possible, subject to safeguarding checks

* Please note we reserve the right to close the advert and interview prior to the advertised closing date. Apply now to avoid disappointment!

To find out even more, have an informal discussion or arrange a visit to the Trust, please contact Kylie Major, HR Business Partner, via [e-mail]

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff to share this commitment and undergo appropriate checks. Therefore, all posts within the Trust are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. The Trust welcomes applications from all, irrespective of gender, marital status, disability, race, age or sexual orientation.