Trust HR & Payroll Officer

The Hive; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Employee Assistance Programme

Cross-school opportunities

Job summary

The HIVE Family of Schools is seeking a diligent Trust HR & Payroll Officer to join our central team in Chelmsford, Essex. You will manage employee records, process payroll data, prepare employment documents and support GDPR-compliant HR and payroll workflows across four schools.

Based at the central office, you will collaborate with school leaders, payroll providers and central colleagues to handle variations, starters and leavers, contribute to Trust-wide HR initiatives and support ongoing

Qualifications

• Experience in an administrative environment.
• Experience with HR/payroll processes.
• Commitment to confidentiality and GDPR compliance.
• Accurate handling of employee data and numerical information.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Trust's central point of contact for payroll administration.
• Process payroll variations, starters, leavers and contractual changes.
• Prepare contracts, variation letters and employment-related correspondence.
• Maintain accurate employee records and workforce data.
• Support payroll checking, reconciliation and reporting processes.
• Provide administrative support to Trust-wide HR processes and initiatives.
• Build relationships across four schools and central team.
• Develop specialist knowledge in HR and payroll workflows.

Skills

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Confidentiality

Numerical data handling

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Are you a highly organised and detail-focused administrator looking to develop your career in HR and payroll?, The HIVE Family of Schools is seeking a professional and enthusiastic Trust HR & Payroll Officer to join our central team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting our schools by delivering accurate, efficient and confidential HR and payroll services across a growing Trust. Working closely with school leaders, managers, our payroll provider and central Trust colleagues, you will be responsible for maintaining employee records, processing payroll information, preparing employment documentation and supporting the smooth operation of HR and payroll processes.

• Act as the Trust's central point of contact for payroll administration.
• Process payroll variations, starters, leavers and contractual changes.
• Prepare contracts, variation letters and employment-related correspondence.
• Maintain accurate employee records and workforce data.
• Support payroll checking, reconciliation and reporting processes.
• Provide administrative support to Trust-wide HR processes and initiatives.
• Build positive relationships with colleagues across our schools and central team., Work across four successful schools within a growing Trust.
• Be part of a collaborative central team.
• Access ongoing professional development.
• Contribute to the development of Trust-wide HR and payroll services.
• Opportunity to develop specialist knowledge in HR, payroll and workforce management.

You will be based in our central office in the School House on the Moulsham Schools site and will work closely with colleagues across the Trust. As a growing Trust, the role may also support future schools that join us.

• Has excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Can work accurately with numerical and employee data.
• Has experience in an administrative environment.
• Is confident using Microsoft Office applications.
• Understands the importance of confidentiality and GDPR compliance.
• Can manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

Experience of HR, payroll or workforce management systems, such as People First, would be advantageous, although full training will be provided.

The HIVE Family of Schools comprises four successful schools: Moulsham Junior School, Moulsham Infant School, Writtle Infant School and Writtle Junior School. Whilst each school is successful in its own right, all benefit from being part of the HIVE Family, which was officially formed in April 2025. This collaborative relationship has helped improve outcomes for children, supported staff professional development and enabled leaders to share best practices.

The HIVE Family of Schools is committed to providing inclusive, high-quality education and meeting the diverse needs of all pupils. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is at the heart of everything we do, ensuring our pupils feel safe, happy and able to thrive.

30 hours per week, term time plus 2 weeks (41 working weeks per year). Additional working weeks will be required during August. The normal working pattern will be agreed with the line manager and will normally be worked over 4 or 5 days per week, subject to operational requirements. The working pattern, including any non-working day, may be varied following reasonable notice to meet operational requirements, including payroll processing deadlines and payroll cut-off dates. Salary: Essex Scale 5, Points 10-13 £27,694 to £29,064 FTE (pay award pending) Actual Salary: £20,198 to £21,197 per annum,

• Generous Local Government Pension Scheme
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• Opportunity to work across a thriving and supportive family of schools