Senior School HR Administrator

Smile Education; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Smile Education are recruiting for an experienced Senior HR Administrator to join a welcoming primary school in the B8 area of Birmingham. This role supports the smooth running of the school's HR and administrative functions.

You will provide comprehensive HR administrative support, maintain staff records, assist with recruitment and safer recruitment procedures, manage absence records, and help with HR processes in line with safeguarding requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience in an HR administration or school administration role.
• Experience using school management information systems, HR databases, and recruitment systems would be highly advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Providing senior-level HR administrative support to the Headteacher, senior leadership team, and school office.
• Maintaining accurate staff records, personnel files, and HR databases.
• Supporting recruitment processes, including advertising vacancies, arranging interviews, preparing documentation, and coordinating pre-employment checks.
• Ensuring safer recruitment and safeguarding procedures are followed, including DBS, right-to-work, reference, and qualification checks.
• Monitoring and maintaining staff absence records, sickness reporting, and return-to-work documentation.
• Assisting with the administration of new starters, leavers, contract changes, and staff induction.
• Preparing HR reports, staff information, and workforce data for senior leaders and governors as required.
• Supporting staff training, professional development, and mandatory compliance requirements.
• Responding professionally to HR-related enquiries from staff, applicants, and external agencies.
• Maintaining confidentiality when handling sensitive employee information and ensuring compliance with data protection requirements.
• Supporting the implementation and review of HR policies and procedures.
• Working collaboratively with school leaders and colleagues to ensure the efficient running of the school's HR function.

Skills

HR administration

Data management

Communication

Organisational skills

Confidentiality

Safeguarding compliance

Recruitment administration

Education

Tools

HR databases

School management systems

Recruitment platforms

Job description

Smile Education are currently recruiting for an experienced Senior HR Administrator to join a welcoming and supportive primary school in the B8 area of Birmingham. This is an excellent opportunity for a highly organised and proactive HR professional with previous school-based experience to support the smooth running of the school's HR and administrative functions.

The successful applicant will play a key role in providing comprehensive HR administrative support, maintaining accurate staff records, supporting recruitment and safer recruitment procedures, managing staff absence records, and assisting with a range of HR processes in line with school policies and safeguarding requirements.

Applicants must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organisational abilities, and previous experience working in an HR or school administration role. Experience using school management information systems, HR databases, and recruitment systems would be highly advantageous.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dedicated school team and contribute to the effective management and support of its workforce.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Providing senior-level HR administrative support to the Headteacher, senior leadership team, and school office.
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date staff records, personnel files, and HR databases.
• Supporting recruitment processes, including advertising vacancies, arranging interviews, preparing documentation, and coordinating pre-employment checks.
• Ensuring safer recruitment and safeguarding procedures are followed, including DBS, right-to-work, reference, and qualification checks.
• Monitoring and maintaining staff absence records, sickness reporting, and return-to-work documentation.
• Assisting with the administration of new starters, leavers, contract changes, and staff induction.
• Preparing HR reports, staff information, and workforce data for senior leaders and governors as required.
• Supporting staff training, professional development, and mandatory compliance requirements.
• Responding professionally to HR-related enquiries from staff, applicants, and external agencies.
• Maintaining confidentiality when handling sensitive employee information and ensuring compliance with data protection requirements.
• Supporting the implementation and review of HR policies and procedures.
• Working collaboratively with school leaders and colleagues to ensure the efficient running of the school's HR function.

The Ideal Candidate Will

• Have previous experience in an HR administration or senior school administration role, ideally within a primary school or educational setting.
• Possess a strong understanding of HR processes, recruitment administration, and employee record management.
• Have experience supporting safer recruitment and safeguarding compliance procedures.
• Demonstrate excellent IT, data management, and administrative skills.
• Have outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Be highly organised, proactive, and able to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Demonstrate discretion and professionalism when handling confidential information.
• Have a good understanding of HR policies, employment procedures, and data protection requirements.
• Be able to work independently while contributing positively to a supportive school team.

What to Expect from Applicants

We are looking for candidates with previous HR or school administration experience who can confidently support the day-to-day HR operations of a busy primary school.

Experience in recruitment administration, staff absence monitoring, personnel records, safer recruitment checks, and HR systems will be particularly beneficial. Candidates should be confident working with confidential information and supporting senior leaders with accurate workforce data and administrative reporting.

Availability to start immediately would be advantageous.

Why Work with Smile Education?

Smile Education are an agency with a difference. We are education specialists with a proven track record of supporting experienced education professionals and those developing their careers. We provide access to training and CPD opportunities and proudly work alongside a number of well-established schools and academy trusts across the local area.

We are passionate about finding the right role for every candidate and supporting schools in building strong, effective teams.

To be successful in your application, you should have experience in one or more of the following:

• HR administration or senior administrative support.
• School-based HR or personnel administration.
• Recruitment coordination and safer recruitment compliance.
• Staff absence management and employee record maintenance.
• Using HR databases, school management systems, or recruitment platforms.
• Supporting senior leaders with HR reporting and workforce administration.

We are committed to safeguarding children. All applicants will be expected to undertake relevant compliance checks, which may include enhanced DBS checks, children's barred list checks where applicable, employment references, right-to-work verification, and qualification checks.

SM1LES

We are committed to safeguarding children. Each applicant will be expected to undertake compliance checks including Prohibited list, Barred list, DBS and Qualifications.