People operations administrator

Oakleaf Partnership; Greater London; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking education group is seeking an HR Administrator to support its People Operations function. In this role, you will manage recruitment, onboarding, and daily People queries while enhancing operational efficiency. The ideal candidate is commercially minded, tech-savvy, and highly organized, with strong attention to detail. Join a growing team aiming to provide an outstanding employee experience across several school sites in Greater London.

Benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Supportive school communities

Qualifications

• Experience in People/HR administration.
• Understanding of efficient People processes.
• Confident handling sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Act as first point of contact for People queries.
• Support recruitment campaigns and onboarding.
• Maintain accurate employee records.

Skills

Commercially minded

Organized

Tech-savvy

Strong attention to detail

Confident communication

Tools

Access SelectHR

Job description

HR Administrator

• £31,000 – £38,000
• Permanent
• ASAP start
• 5 days a week on site
• South East London

A forward-thinking education group is searching for a commercially minded, proactive People Operations Administrator to support its People Operations function.

This is an exciting time to join a growing team that is moving from traditional HR administration toward a progressive, employee centred People Operations model one that drives engagement, efficiency and an outstanding employee experience across three London school sites.

About the Role

As a People Operations Administrator, you’ll play a pivotal role in delivering a high-quality, responsive service across the full employee lifecycle. You will be the first point of contact for day-to-day People queries, ensuring colleagues and external stakeholders receive prompt, professional and accurate support.

You’ll be hands-on with recruitment, onboarding, compliance, data management and general People Ops administration, and you’ll support the wider team in embedding streamlined processes that enhance both service delivery and operational excellence. This role suits someone naturally organised, commercially astute, tech-savvy, and eager to contribute to an evolving People function.

Key Responsibilities

First-Line People Support

• Act as the first point of contact for all People/HR queries via email, ServiceDesk, phone and face-to-face.

• Provide clear and accurate information on policies and processes, ensuring urgent matters are prioritised.

• Escalate more complex issues to the People Partner or Head of People Operations as appropriate.

Recruitment & Onboarding

• Co-ordinate recruitment campaigns including posting job adverts, sending interview invites and administering assessments.

• Maintain accurate applicant records, supporting diversity monitoring and reporting.

• Prepare offer letters, contracts and onboarding documentation.

• Complete all pre-employment checks in line with regulatory requirements (DBS, Right to Work, references, health clearance, barred list checks).

• Maintain the Single Central Record (SCR).

• Support new starter inductions and ensure line managers understand their responsibilities in the process.

• Support the administration of the probation process.

Data, Systems & Reporting

• Maintain accurate digital and hard-copy employee records across the full employment lifecycle.

• Update the HRIS (Access SelectHR) with starters, leavers, contract changes, leave and absence.

• Assist in producing regular and ad-hoc People data reports for monitoring, auditing and decision-making.

• Ensure all data is stored and used in line with GDPR and safeguarding requirements.

General People Operations Support

• Provide administrative support for meetings and events, including preparing papers and taking notes.

• Support ongoing process improvement and contribute ideas to enhance efficiency and employee experience.

• Maintain high standards of professionalism, fairness and consistency in all interactions.

• Support the People Operations leadership team in delivering the Group’s People Plan.

Professional Development & Compliance

• Engage fully with training and CPD opportunities.

• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding in all activities.

• Work in line with the organisation’s Health & Safety, Safeguarding and Prevent policies.

• Undertake any additional duties relevant to the role and grading.

About You

You’ll thrive in this role if you are:

• Commercially minded with an understanding of how efficient People processes support organisational performance.

• Forward thinking, keen to streamline workflows and champion best practice.

• Employee‑experience focused, recognising the value of meaningful engagement at every stage of the employee lifecycle.

• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.

• Confident communicating with colleagues at all levels.

• Comfortable handling sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.

• Skilled in managing multiple tasks in a fast‑paced, multi‑site environment.

• Tech‑savvy and confident using HR systems (experience with Access SelectHR is a bonus).

Why Join?

• Be part of a forward‑moving team shaping a modern People Operations function.

• Contribute to a sector with purpose and impact.

• Work across dynamic, collaborative and supportive school communities.

• Excellent opportunities for professional growth and development.