SBO - HR MANAGER

Lancashire County Council; Bonds; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supportive environment

Flexible working

LGPS pension scheme

CPD opportunities

Education Mutual Wellbeing membership

Free parking

Job summary

Lancashire County Council is seeking an experienced HR professional to lead Safer Recruitment and HR administration for Hillside Specialist School and College in Preston. The role involves issuing contracts, managing sickness absence and payroll data, and developing school HR policies.

You will work in a supportive, collaborative environment with flexible working options and opportunities for CPD. The appointment is in the local government sector with a strong commitment to safeguarding children.

Qualifications

• Experience in an administrative/management role, ideally in a school, academy or college setting.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead Safer Recruitment in line with statutory guidance and maintain the SCR.
• Issue contracts, terminations and variations and manage payroll data.
• Oversee policy development and ensure compliance with employment law and local authority policy.
• Develop staff wellbeing initiatives and support staff retention and engagement.

Skills

Communication

Discretion

Prioritisation

Education

Level 5 qualification

Tools

Payroll systems

Job description

Location Hillside Specialist School And College, Ribchester Road, Longridge, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 3XB (117 on roll)
Tel: [phone]
School website: www.hillside.lancs.sch.uk Summary Are you an experienced HR professional, or an aspiring School Office Administrator looking to make a meaningful impact in an educational setting?

Key Responsibilities

• Safer Recruitment: Lead the end-to-end recruitment process, ensuring compliance with statutory guidance (e.g., Keeping Children Safe in Education) and maintaining the Single Central Record (SCR).
• HR Administration: Issue contracts, terminations and variations and accurate payroll data. Manage long-term and short-term sickness absence, occupational health referrals, and return-to-work frameworks.
• Policy Development: Implement and update school HR policies in line with current employment law and local authority policy.
• Staff Wellbeing: Develop initiatives that support staff retention, engagement, and overall wellbeing.

What We Are Looking For

• Experience: Proven experience working in an administrative/Management role, ideally within a school, academy, or college setting.
• Qualifications: Relevant Level 5 qualification (or equivalent experience)
• Knowledge: A strong familiarity with safer recruitment practices in education.
• Skills: Exceptional communication skills, absolute discretion, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

What We Offer

• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Flexible working can be discussed.
• Generous local government pension scheme.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development (CPD).
• Free membership of Education Mutual Wellbeing services
• Free parking

Closing Date: 16 October 2026

Interview Date: 22 October 2026

Please note that in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, an online search will be carried out as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates.

For an informal discussion please contact: [e-mail]

Equal Opportunities statement

An Equal Opportunities Employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.

The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Information provided by you or the Disclosure and Barring Service will be dealt with in a confidential manner in accordance with the DBS's Code of Practice. You may view the Code of Practice on the DBS website at www.gov.uk/dbs or alternatively a copy is available on request. Lancashire County Council has a Handling of DBS Certificate Information Policy and a Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders this is available from the recruiting manager to applicants who are asked to complete a DBS application.

The County Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all people in terms of recruitment, selection and employment, and is a Disability Confident employer, which means that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria in the person specification will be interviewed. However, commitment to this standard is on an individual school basis and, therefore, if you are applying for a position within a school, you will need to check with the school whether they have made the decision to comply with this standard.

Please note that we can only consider applications from candidates who are legally entitled to work in the UK.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.