People Officer

The Methodist Church in Britain; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Teachers' Pension Scheme

Annual wellbeing day

CPD opportunities

Vivup benefits

Lifestyle discounts

Job summary

Northern Lights Learning Trust is seeking a People Officer to join the people team, supporting its schools and central staff. The role centres on advising headteachers and senior leaders on recruitment, contracts and people policies, and payroll coordination with a third‑party provider.

This generalist HR role suits someone who is data‑driven and systems‑minded, keen to support new system rollouts across the trust.

Qualifications

• Generalist HR experience required.
• Experience of managing recruitment.
• Enhanced DBS check and eligibility to work in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Advise headteachers and senior leaders on recruitment and selection, contractual changes and people policies.
• Coordinate payroll through a third-party provider.
• Provide an efficient, proactive people service to all trust schools and the central team.
• Support employees on pay and conditions queries.
• Hold employee-related meetings with senior leaders.
• Promote staff benefits.
• Take notes at formal meetings where required.
• Work across the full range of people matters within the people team.

Skills

People management

Interpersonal skills

HR processes

Data systems

Time management

Education

CIPD Level 3

Tools

HRIS

Payroll systems

Job description

This People Officer post sits in the people team of Northern Lights Learning Trust, supporting its schools and central staff alongside the new Head of People. The work centres on advising headteachers and senior leaders on recruitment, contract changes and people policies, and running payroll with a third-party provider. It suits a generalist HR professional who is strong on systems and data and keen to support new system rollouts. Enhanced DBS and right to work in the UK are required, and visa sponsorship is not available.

What the job involves

• Advise headteachers and senior leaders on recruitment and selection, contractual changes and people policies and procedures
• Coordinate completion of payroll through a third-party provider
• Provide an efficient, effective and proactive people service to all trust schools and the central team
• Support employees on pay and conditions queries
• Hold employee-related meetings with senior leaders
• Promote staff benefits
• Take notes at formal meetings where required
• Work across the full range of people matters within the people team

What’s required

Experience

• Experienced professional with generalist people or HR experience
• Previous experience of managing recruitment

Skills & knowledge

• Excellent people management and interpersonal skills, able to work with staff at all levels
• Robust working knowledge of people and HR processes
• Strong with systems and data, with great attention to detail
• Able to organise, multitask, prioritise and work to tight deadlines
• Able to manage time effectively
• Passion for supporting the implementation of new systems

Checks & eligibility

• Enhanced DBS check
• Eligible to work in the UK

Nice to have

• CIPD level 3 certificate, or relevant experience in its place

What’s offered

• Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme
• National Terms and Conditions of Employment
• Continuous professional development
• Annual wellbeing day and other Trust wellbeing initiatives
• Education Mutual welfare package: 24-hour GP access, nurse support, mental health services, counselling, physiotherapy and free flu vaccinations
• Financial wellbeing coaching, plus maternity, paternity and menopause support
• Vivup benefits package including cycle to work scheme
• Lifestyle discounts on shops, food, drink and days out